Dealing with Deductibles...
Does your insurance plan have a deductible? If therapy costs feel higher than expected right now, you're not alone. Let's talk about what's happening and what your options are.
Understanding Deductibles
Many insurance plans require you to pay the full session cost (your deductible) before your lower copay or coinsurance kicks in. At DCA, our contracted rates with insurance companies typically range from $100-130 per session, depending on your specific plan.
Once you meet your deductible for the year, your costs drop to your regular copay or coinsurance amount (often $30-40/session). Until then, you're paying the full contracted rate and it counts toward meeting your deductible.
Your Options
Adjust Your Session Frequency
Coming in every other week instead of weekly cuts your monthly cost in half while you're working through your deductible. You're still making progress toward meeting it, and you can always increase frequency later when your copay kicks in.
Weekly sessions: ~$460/month
Every other week: ~$230/month
Work with a Lower-Cost Clinician
Our interns and some associates offer sessions at $65-100. They're skilled, supervised clinicians who can provide excellent care. We'll make sure you're matched with someone who's a great fit for what you're working on.
Take a Break and Reconnect Later
If you need to pause therapy for now, that's okay. We can set a check-in date (maybe 4-6 weeks out) to see if your situation has shifted and you're ready to come back.
How Long Until Your Copay Kicks In?
Here's roughly how long it takes to meet common deductible amounts with weekly therapy (based on average $115/session rate):
- $1,500 deductible: ~13 sessions (about 3 months)
- $3,000 deductible: ~26 sessions (about 6 months)
- $3,500 deductible: ~30 sessions (about 7 months)
- $5,000 deductible: ~43 sessions (about 10 months)
If you're getting other medical care (doctor visits, specialists, medications), you'll reach your deductible faster since all healthcare costs count toward it.