Question 1

How do I get started with therapy?

Accepted Answer

Please send me an email to tell me a little bit about yourself! I will ask you some questions and you will have an opportunity to have your questions answered. We will discuss fees and scheduling. If we determine we might be a good fit, we will schedule an initial intake assessment.

Question 2

What should I do prior to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

I will send you a consent form that summarizes my fees and policy and requests some basic information about you.  You can complete the form on your own and bring it to our first session.

Question 3

What happens in ongoing sessions?

Accepted Answer

The first session is 50-60 minutes.
Ongoing sessions are 45 minutes.
Sessions occur weekly, or in some cases, biweekly.
You will likely have a regular weekly slot, and in some cases I can be flexible and accommodate different times.

Question 4

What should I expect during the first few sessions?

Accepted Answer

We will have one to two meetings that will involve gathering information.  You will have a chance to describe your primary concerns and receive my impressions and recommendations.  This may involve a conceptualization of your situation or a formal diagnosis, if one applies.  We will then put together a personalized plan for treatment and schedule a time for regular ongoing sessions.  This will also give you a chance to decide if you are comfortable and if we are a good fit. If your needs do not align with my expertise, I will help connect you with another provider in the community who is better suited to help.

Question 5

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Like most private practitioners in New York City, I am an out-of-network provider. That means I do not accept any insurance  directly. However, I make the reimbursement process as simple as possible by providing all the necessary paperwork, including receipts and diagnosis codes, in a timely fashion.
The first step is to call your insurance provider and ask about their policy on out-of-network behavioral health care. You will need to know (1) the amount of your deductible, (2) what percentage of behavioral health services they will reimburse for out-of-network providers, and (3) whether there are limits on the number of visits per calendar year. Should you choose to come to me for treatment, you will be required to pay for each session in full at the time of service.

Question 6

What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations or rescheduling of appointments must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment to avoid a full fee charge. This allows me to offer your appointment time to another patient. Medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances are taken into consideration for rescheduling requests.

Question 7

Will I get reimbursement from my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

In my experience, most patients are reimbursed for 50% to 80% for the cost of their sessions if they have out-of-network mental health coverage. It is helpful to call individual insurance providers to determine level of coverage in advance. Many patients are pleasantly surprised.
At the end of each month I will provide a statement of services in person or via email. This form should be submitted to your insurance company, along with a health insurance claim form, to receive payment. Most insurance carriers process each claim like any other medical claim.

Question 8

What is the Good Faith Estimate Law for people not using insurance?

Accepted Answer

Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t  have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the  expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total  expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including  psychotherapy services.

You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you  choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at  any time during treatment.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith  Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture  of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith  Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Question 9

Can I be seen in person or virtually?

Accepted Answer

Whichever you prefer! I see clients in-person at my office on 85th and West End Avenue on the Upper West Side of NYC, near the 1 train station. If you prefer teletherapy, virtual sessions are also available.

I offer teletherapy to residents of New York and Florida. If you are a college student whose family lives in New York, teletherapy is also available.

I use Google Meet for online sessions.

Dr. Terri Bacow

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