Appointments and Cancellations

Therapy appointments are generally 45-60 minutes long depending on your insurance.  We understand that there are times when you must miss an appointment due to emergencies or obligations for work or family. However, when you do not call to cancel, an appointment, you may prevent another client from getting much needed therapy.

• If an appointment is not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance, you will be charged a fifty-dollar ($50) fee.

• If you are habitually (more than 2) cancelling appointments without 24 hours’ notice, we reserve the right to charge you the full amount of a session.  

• If you do not show for your appointment, and do not call, you will be charged the full amount of the session and may be taken out of future scheduled appointments until this fee is paid.

 We reserve appointments specifically for you. Please respectful of our time and give yourself the gift of self-care that therapy can offer.  Our therapists are fee for service, thus are not paid for unfilled sessions.

 Appointment Reminders

 Our office uses a calendar system that allows us to send reminders for upcoming appointments via email or text.

• This is a courtesy for our client’s convenience. Missed appointment fees may still apply if, for any reason, the reminders cannot be delivered.

• Appointment Information may be classified as “Protected Health Information”. Thus, a signature on initial paperwork is required to received. Reminders can be discontinued at anytime upon request.  

Confidentiality

Our office is diligent about ensuring the safety of our clients Protected Health Information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A summary of this law and its applicable provisions can be found at www./hhs.gov/sites/default/files/privacysummary.pdf.  

You have the right to a confidential relationship with Summit View Counseling (SVC), while receiving services from one of our licensed clinicians. Without your consent, and within certain legal limits, information will not be revealed to any other person or agency. Please be aware that information relating to your treatment (therapy notes) may be communicated to your primary care doctor, your insurance company, behavioral health company, EAP and your referral source. You have the right to have information shared with other agencies if requested in writing.

There are limits to confidentiality where disclosure is required by law:

1. If a client presents as an imminent threat of harm to themselves or others.

2. When there is an indication of abuse of a child or dependent adult (mandated reporter).

3. If a client becomes gravely disabled and unable to give permission for care coordination and

4. By court Subpoena

Please be aware that in effort to bring you the best care possible, the therapists in our office meet on a regular basis for peer consultation and to share resources. During these meetings, they may discuss cases for professional growth, education, and coordination of treatment planning. Identifying information shared is limited to that which is necessitated by the issue being discussed. In addition, Those therapists working towards a higher clinical license (LPC/ LCSW) have individual supervision. As a client, you have the right to ask to speak with your therapist’s supervisor.

Telehealth Consent

Telehealth refers broadly to electronic, and telecommunications technologies and services used to provide care and services at a distance. Our office uses video platforms to provide counseling services to clients who prefer due to convenience and health and safety concerns.

The following are terms and conditions of utilizing Telehealth with Summit View Counseling, LLC

• All clients have the option to consider a Telehealth appointment.

• Telehealth is subject to approval based on your insurance benefits/ policy limitations. Some policies do not include Telehealth options and/or may require the utilization of a particular Telehealth platform.

• If insurance does not cover Telehealth, clients can choose this option with a self-pay rate.

• Summit View utilities Doxy.me which is a HIPPA compliant Telehealth platform.  Our clinicians’ log on information is located on our website, www.summitviewcounseling.com  under the Telehealth tab. Located your clinicians name then click on the link to their designated waiting room.

• Our therapist will ensure that Telehealth sessions occurs either in our office and/ or a private location that considers confidentiality and limits distractions/interruptions.

• Clients are expected to be a private location without others present unless they are participating in session in agreement of the therapist. Client is to dress and give session the same attention they would if session occurred in the office.

• If session occur in a vehicle, the car is to be parked in a secure location. It is recommended that blue tooth car audio is not used to protect privacy.

• Telehealth session will be the same 45-55 minutes as would occur in the office.

• If a client chooses to participation in Telehealth, they accept the limits of Telehealth in being able to provide safety, privacy and full clinical experience which are inherited in this model of practice.

• Client will notify the clinician if client is at any location other than their current listed address. Licenses are restricted by State lines. In addition, without this information, the clinician is limited in their ability to call emergency services if needed.

• In the event of connectivity difficulties, Clinician will contact client via listed telephone number to assist

Financial Consent/Obligation

By attending a session with one of our clinicians you are agreeing to being financially obligated to compensate SVC for the services rendered. Clients are expected to pay for service on the date of service or make arrangements prior through the use of insurance or EAP. We reserve the right to utilize collections if necessary, in order to receive payment.

We will submit a bill to insurances that we participate with, however, you are ultimately responsible for payment if the claim is denied, or insurance is terminated.

If you have concerns about being able to pay your balance, please talk to us about setting up a payment plan option.

*As of 1/1/2024, Our office does not accept insurance for Couples therapy. We will provide a superbill upon request that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

We are happy to use your insurance or EAP if with participate in the plan. Please be advised of the following:

• We cannot bill your insurance or EAP if we are not given the information. As a small independent practice, we do not have access to any information on record with any of the local health networks. If you have sessions and there is no insurance information on file on the date of services, you may be charged the current self-pay rate for that date.

• You are responsible for payment of deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays. It is unlawful for us to bill insurance and not request the full patient responsibility amount because it would be a breech of contract.

• It is important to be familiar with your insurance plan. Many plans renew at the first of the year, which means your deductible will reset which may change the amount you pay per session.

• Please notify us as soon as possible if there is a disruption or change in insurance. This prevents denials and large balances from accruing. This allows us to verify that we are in-network as well.

• If you have new insurance, please provide a copy of the front and back of your card through the patient portal.