fee policy

Providers at Alliance CBT are out-of-network with insurance. For clients interested in using their out- of-network benefits, we are happy to provide a "superbill" or supporting documentation for claims you may submit on your behalf. You would be responsible for the full fee at time of service, with any reimbursement coming to you directly.

Clients who prefer to avoid the limits and scrutiny of third-party payers may self-pay. An additional benefit of self-payment is increased flexibility in length and frequency of therapy sessions. 

Alliance CBT requires that you keep a valid credit or debit card on file for payment. This card will be charged for the amount due at the time of service and for any fees you may accrue, unless other arrangements have been made with the practice ahead of time.

Cancellations

Your treatment plan is designed to maximize continuous benefit for you. Maintaining regular therapy appointments is an important part of this process. However, we understand that, occasionally, circumstances arise that may require you to cancel an appointment. Because appointment times are scheduled exclusively for you, we request at least 24 hours advance notice (1 business day) for cancellations. Cancellations without 24 hours notice are charged the full session fee. Additionally, if you are more than 15 minutes late for your scheduled appointment time, your appointment may be rescheduled and you will be charged the missed session fee.

YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care - like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

You are protected from balance billing for:

Emergency services

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.

If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:

• You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.

• Your health plan generally must:

  • Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).

  • Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.

  • Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.

  • Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
Complaint Intake Unit
555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312/814-6910

Visit www.cms.gov for more information about your rights under Federal Law.