Office Open on Presidents Day
I will be holding scheduled appointments as usual on Monday, February 20, 2012.
Anticipated holidays that I will be observing are listed here.
Posts from the ‘Announcements’ Category
Feb 17
Holiday Schedule 2012
I am planning to be out of the office on the following days in 2012. This schedule is subject to change periodically and will be updated on this page (updated 02-05-12).
New Private Practice Website
This is one of those times where crisis became opportunity. With Apple soon to phase out support for web hosting, it was time for a fresh web site. The new site brings together the three main facets of my practice: psychotherapy, consultation, and social responsibility. Updates are ongoing for some of the content that’s getting a little long in the tooth, but for now, the new site is ready to roll at drgeoffreysteinberg.com.
Holiday Schedule 2012
I am planning to be out of the office on the following days in 2012. This schedule is subject to change periodically and will be updated on this page (updated 02-05-12).
Private Practice Facebook Page
I’ve launched a Facebook page for my practice: Facebook.com/GeoffreySteinbergPsyD
The purpose of this page is to communicate about mental health issues with colleagues and the community at large–part networking, part marketing, part professional dialogue.
While my blog is focused more narrowly on topics related to my practice, I’ll post directly to Facebook additional content such as commentary on mental health news, research findings in psychology, and resources related to psychotherapy.
I’ll probably post in fits and starts, just like the blog.
A word about privacy: I would encourage any psychotherapy clients past or present who come across the Facebook page to think carefully before choosing to write any comments or “liking” any items I post. The strictest approach to maintaining your own privacy, including even the implication that you may be in treatment, is not to interact with my Facebook page at all.
In terms of my privacy, the Facebook page for the practice is separate and distinct from the Facebook profile I use in my personal life.
I’ll be moderating the page closely to ensure that a safe, respectful, and educational tone is maintained at all times.
Case Management Policy
Following is an addition to the Outpatient Services Contract effective immediately:
I run my practice in as independent and private a manner as possible by choosing not to be contracted with insurance companies that are likely to impose excessive bureaucratic requirements. Even on an out-of-network basis, some insurance companies may request additional information about your treatment in the form of utilization reviews or requests for additional information about you.
My default response is to refuse such requests for the dual purpose of protecting your privacy and maintaining the autonomy of my practice. I will notify you if I have received any such requests from your insurance company, and you and I may discuss on a case-by-case basis whether there is a reason to comply with such requests. Time spent on case management will be billed to your account on a prorated basis.
If you are insured by Aetna, your case may be selected by Aetna for a utilization review meeting by telephone. If your case is selected for utilization review, I will discuss this with you before participating in the review, and you and I may decide together whether or not to comply with the request. Time spent on utilization reviews with Aetna will not be charged.
If in addition to individual psychotherapy you are also being treated by a psychiatrist or another mental health professional (for example, group therapist, couples therapist), with your written authorization I may periodically discuss your treatment with that professional to ensure continuity of care. There is no charge for routine coordination of care with other mental health or medical professionals. However, in the event you are hospitalized, your account will be billed for time spent on coordination of care with treatment providers at the hospital.
If you have authorized me to discuss your case with any other individuals who are not mental health professionals (for example, a family member or employer), time spent on these activities will be billed to your account on a prorated basis.
New Office Location after Labor Day
I am very pleased to announce I will be moving my practice to a new location:
49 West 24th Street
Suite 605
New York, NY 10010
As of September 7, all appointments will be held at the new office.
New Cancellation Policy
This is the new cancellation policy effective for all clients starting in 2010 and later. Existing clients may be transitioned to the new policy on a case by case basis. The old policy may be found here.
Excessive cancellations should be avoided because keeping therapy appointments on a consistent basis is essential to making meaningful progress.
If you and I decide to work together, I will usually schedule one forty-five minute session (one appointment hour of forty-five minutes duration) per week at a mutually agreed time. Once this appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it. For clients with weekly appointments, four free absences are allowed per year.* You are responsible for payment of any additional absences beyond those allowed, regardless of the reason or type of absence. These include absences of all types, including illness, advance cancellations, late cancellations, and no-shows. Holidays and other days the office is closed will not count as absences.
I appreciate the courtesy of at least 24 hours notice if you know that you will not be able to attend a scheduled appointment. However, regardless of whether you have provided such notice or not, you will be charged for missed appointments that exceed the allotted number of free absences.
In instances where your insurance company limits the number of sessions covered per year, you will be responsible for payment of sessions that exceed such limitations.
You will be required to keep a credit card or check card on file and to provide signed authorization that this card may be charged for absences that extend beyond the allowed number. You will be responsible for updating your credit card information whenever it may change.
In situations where a client shows a pattern of excessive cancellations and efforts to address the situations are unsuccessful, the client may lose their reserved appointment hour. Such situations are rare and are usually resolved successfully.
Additional important information regarding cancellation and fees may be read in the Outpatient Services Contract.
*Addendum 07/28/11: The allowance of four free absences per year will be issued 30 days following the initial consultation. New clients will be responsible for payment for any absences that occur within the first 30 days.
Insurance Update: PHCS/Multiplan Resignation
I have resigned from PHCS/Multiplan and its associated network of insurance policies. Clients insured by these plans continue to be welcome on an out-of-network basis.
Additional options:
TherapySafetyNet
No one in need of psychotherapy should fall through the cracks. I founded TherapySafetyNet to connect uninsured workers with therapists willing to work at a reduced fee. Visit www.TherapySafetyNet.org
Out-of-Network Reimbursement
If you’re insured by a PPO or POS plan other than Aetna (for which I’m in-network), you most likely will be reimbursed a portion of the fee. Read more…
Paying Privately
Paying ‘out of pocket’ may seem costlier than using your insurance. However, you may find that paying privately provides you certain advantages. Read more…
