Welcome to Southern Therapy with Therapist Nicole Freire. If you are here, you are likely looking for two things: high-quality care and a clear answer to the age-old question, “Do you take my insurance?”
We believe in radical transparency—both in the therapy room and on your billing statement. To give you the short answer first: Southern Therapy does not accept insurance directly. We operate as a private-pay practice with a flat rate of $100 per session.
However, that “no” comes with a very helpful “but.” We are experts at helping our clients navigate their out-of-network therapy benefits, ensuring that cost is never a mystery and that you get every dollar back that you are entitled to.
Why We Choose a Private Pay Model
Choosing to see a therapist who focuses on out-of-network therapy rather than being “in-network” is a deliberate choice we made to protect the quality of your care. When a practice accepts insurance directly, the insurance company often dictates the frequency, length, and even the type of therapy you can receive.
By prioritizing your out-of-network therapy benefits, we keep the power where it belongs: between you and your therapist.
The $100 Flat Fee Advantage
In a world of rising healthcare costs, we have set our rate at $100 per session. Why? Because we believe mental health should be accessible without being buried in administrative red tape. While many specialists charge upwards of $200, our $100 rate allows you to utilize your out-of-network therapy benefits more effectively, often resulting in a lower final cost than some people pay for in-network co-pays once their deductible is factored in.
Understanding Your Out-of-Network Therapy Benefits
If you have a PPO, EPO, or POS plan, you likely have out-of-network benefits. This is essentially a “hidden” part of your insurance policy that allows you to see the provider of your choice, even if they aren’t on the insurance company’s specific list.
When you use your out-of-network benefits, you pay for the session upfront, and your insurance company reimburses you a percentage of that cost later. For many of our clients, this means that after they meet their deductible, their out-of-network therapy cover 60% to 80% of our $100 fee.
How Reimbursement Works (The Superbill)
To help you maximize your out-of-network benefits, we provide you with a monthly document called a Superbill. This is not a bill you have to pay; it is a specialized receipt that contains all the codes and data your insurance provider needs to process your out-of-network benefits.
-
Attend your session: You pay our $100 fee at the time of service.
-
Receive your Superbill: At the end of the month, we send you a secure PDF.
-
Submit to Insurance: You upload this PDF to your insurance portal to claim your out-of-network benefits.
-
Get Paid: The insurance company sends a check or direct deposit directly to you.
By using your out-of-network benefits, you aren’t “losing” money; you are simply managing the flow of it to ensure you get the best possible care.
The 5 Major Perks of Using Out-of-Network Benefits
Many people assume that “in-network” is always better. However, there are significant reasons why savvy clients prefer to use their therapy benefits at Southern Therapy.
1. No Forced Diagnosis
To use in-network insurance, a therapist must give you a formal mental health diagnosis that becomes a permanent part of your medical record. Many people seeking therapy for personal growth, relationship issues, or life transitions do not necessarily have a “disorder.” Utilizing your therapy benefits offers more flexibility in how we document your progress.
2. Maximum Privacy
When you use in-network insurance, the company has the right to audit your files and read your session notes. When you use your therapy benefits, your information stays between us. The insurance company only sees the dates of service and the basic codes required to process your out-of-network benefits.
3. You Choose the Specialist
Don’t settle for “whoever is available.” By leveraging out-of-network benefits, you can choose a therapist based on their expertise and personality fit, rather than their contract status. You can learn more about our specific styles on our Southern Therapy Team page.
4. Consistent Care
Insurance companies frequently change their networks. If your therapist is in-network today, they might be out-of-network tomorrow. By starting with a practice that focuses on out-of-network benefits, you never have to worry about a sudden interruption in your care because of a corporate contract change.
5. Higher Quality of Care
In-network therapists are often forced to see 30+ clients a week just to keep the lights moving because of low reimbursement rates. At Southern Therapy, our $100 flat fee ensures our therapists have the time and energy to focus deeply on you. This is the core philosophy of why we encourage the use of out-of-network benefits.
A Deep Dive into Insurance Terms
To help you understand your out-of-network therapy benefits, let’s break down the jargon. Insurance is like that one friend who offers to help you move but then remembers they have a “thing” at the last minute—it’s complicated, but manageable if you know the rules.
| Term | What it Means for Your Out-of-Network Therapy Benefits |
| Deductible | The amount you pay out of pocket before your out-of-network therapy benefits kick in. |
| Co-Insurance | The percentage of the $100 fee that you are responsible for after meeting your deductible. |
| Allowed Amount | The maximum amount your insurance will pay for a session. (Our $100 fee is usually well within this). |
| Superbill | The magical document we give you to unlock your out-of-network therapy benefits. |
Understanding these terms is the first step in mastering your out-of-network benefits. If you have questions about your specific plan, you can check the official definitions on the Healthcare.gov Glossary.
How to Call Your Insurance Provider
If you want to verify your out-of-network therapy benefits before your first session, we recommend giving your provider a quick call. Here is a script you can use to make sure you get the right information about your out-of-network therapy benefits:
“Hi, I’m calling to check my out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health. I will be seeing a provider at Southern Therapy. Do I have a separate deductible for out-of-network therapy benefits? Once that is met, what is my co-insurance rate for CPT code 90837 (a 60-minute session)? How do I submit a Superbill to claim these out-of-network therapy benefits?”
Most insurance representatives are used to these questions. Recording these answers will help you plan your budget while utilizing your out-of-network therapy benefits.
Common Myths About Private Pay Therapy
Myth #1: “It’s too expensive.”
At $100 a session, we are one of the most competitively priced private-pay practices in the region. When you factor in your out-of-network therapy benefits, your actual cost per session might only be $20 or $30 after reimbursement.
Myth #2: “The paperwork is too hard.”
We do the heavy lifting by providing a perfectly formatted Superbill. Submitting for your out-of-network therapy benefits usually takes less than 5 minutes through your insurance company’s mobile app.
Myth #3: “Only rich people use out-of-network therapy benefits.”
Actually, many of our clients are students, teachers, and healthcare workers who value their privacy and want to ensure their therapist isn’t burnt out. They use their out-of-network therapy benefits as a smart financial tool.
The Southern Therapy Commitment
We know that talking about money can be uncomfortable, especially when you are already dealing with life’s stressors. Our goal is to make the financial side of therapy as therapeutic as the sessions themselves. By being upfront about our $100 fee and proactive about your out-of-network benefits, we remove the “billing surprises” that plague so many other healthcare experiences.
Your mental health is an investment. By utilizing your out-of-network therapy, you are investing in a system that prioritizes you over a corporate bottom line. We have seen firsthand how much more effective therapy is when the client and therapist are the only ones in the room—not the insurance adjuster.
[Image showing a comparison of In-Network limitations vs. Out-of-Network freedom]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my HSA or FSA for the $100 fee?
Absolutely! Even while you are waiting for your out-of-network benefits to be processed, you can pay the $100 session fee using your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card. This allows you to use pre-tax dollars, saving you an average of 20-30% immediately, even before your out-of-network benefits kick in.
What if my insurance denies my claim?
While we cannot guarantee reimbursement (as every plan is different), we ensure our Superbills meet all industry standards to maximize the success of your out-of-network benefits. If a claim is denied due to a coding error, we will fix it for you free of charge.
Do I have to use my out-of-network therapy benefits?
Nope. Some clients choose not to submit anything to insurance because they want 100% confidentiality. In that case, you simply pay the $100 and we keep no record of insurance interaction. Your out-of-network therapy benefits are a tool for you to use if and when you want to.
Is the $100 fee the same for couples therapy?
Yes! We maintain a flat rate of $100 per session for individual, couples, and family sessions. Please note that out-of-network benefits for couples therapy (code 90847) vary more by plan than individual therapy, so definitely check with your provider.
Take the Next Step
You deserve therapy that is focused on your growth, not on satisfying an insurance company’s checklist. By choosing Southern Therapy and leveraging your out-of-network benefits, you are choosing a path of privacy, autonomy, and high-quality care.
Our $100 rate is designed to be fair, and our support for your out-of-network benefits is designed to be seamless. We are here to help you heal, grow, and thrive—without the headache of traditional insurance billing.
Still have questions about your out-of-network benefits?
We would love to help clarify how our $100 sessions can work with your specific plan.
Let’s dive deeper into the nuances of why the private pay model—coupled with your out-of-network benefits—is often the superior choice for modern mental healthcare.
The Hidden Costs of “In-Network” Care
When searching for a therapist, the “In-Network” badge can look like a gold star. However, it often masks several hidden costs that don’t show up on a receipt but deeply impact your care. By choosing Southern Therapy and utilizing your out-of-network benefits, you avoid many of these systemic pitfalls.
1. The Waitlist Trap
In-network providers are often overwhelmed. Because insurance companies pay these providers significantly less than their standard rate, these therapists must maintain high caseloads to stay afloat. This often results in 4–6 week waitlists. When you are in crisis or ready to start your healing journey, you shouldn’t have to wait. Our $100 flat fee allows us to maintain a sustainable practice where we can actually see you now. Your out-of-network therapy benefits ensure you get seen when it matters most.
2. The “Medical Necessity” Hurdle
To pay a claim, insurance companies require proof of “medical necessity.” This means your therapist must prove to a third-party reviewer—someone who has never met you—that you are “sick enough” to deserve help. If you are seeking therapy for self-actualization, career coaching, or mild situational anxiety, the insurance company might deny the claim. By using your out-of-network therapy benefits, we focus on your goals, not a corporate definition of “necessity.”
3. Limited Session Lengths
Have you ever felt like you were just getting to the “good stuff” in therapy when your therapist looked at the clock and said, “We have to stop”? In-network contracts often strictly limit sessions to 45 minutes. At Southern Therapy, our $100 rate is for a full clinical hour. We believe those extra 15 minutes are where the breakthrough happens. Your out-of-network therapy benefits essentially buy you the time you actually need.
A Comprehensive Guide to Using Reimbursement Apps
Many of our clients are surprised to learn that you don’t even have to mail anything to your insurance company anymore. If the thought of navigating a clunky insurance portal makes you want to skip therapy altogether, there are third-party services designed specifically to help you claim your out-of-network therapy benefits.
Apps like Reimbursify or Better allow you to simply take a photo of the Superbill we provide and upload it. They handle the back-and-forth with the insurance company for a small fee (or sometimes for free, depending on the service). This bridge makes accessing your out-of-network therapy benefits as easy as ordering a pizza.
We are happy to walk you through how to use these tools during your first session. We believe that technology should remove barriers to care, and these apps are the perfect companion to your out-of-network therapy benefits.
The Economics of the $100 Session
In the current mental health landscape, a $100 session is a strategic middle ground. Many specialized private practices in urban areas charge between $175 and $250 per hour. While we provide that same high-level specialty care, we’ve priced our sessions at $100 to ensure that even those with a high deductible can afford to start their journey.
Comparing the Math: In-Network vs. Out-of-Network
Let’s look at a common scenario to see how your out-of-network therapy benefits actually work in your favor:
-
Scenario A (In-Network): You find a therapist with a $40 co-pay. However, you have a $3,000 deductible. You pay the “contracted rate” (usually around $120) out of pocket until that $3,000 is met.
-
Scenario B (Southern Therapy): You pay our $100 flat fee. Even if you have a deductible, you are paying less per session than the “discounted” insurance rate in Scenario A. Once your deductible is met, your out-of-network therapy benefits might reimburse you $70 per session, making your final cost only $30.
When you look at the long-term math, utilizing your out-of-network therapy benefits at a lower-cost private practice like ours is often the most financially savvy move.
Why “Mental Health Parity” Matters for You
You may have heard the term “Mental Health Parity.” This is a federal law that requires insurance companies to treat mental health benefits similarly to medical/surgical benefits. This is great news for your out-of-network therapy benefits.
It means that if your insurance plan covers out-of-network visits for a physical therapist or a cardiologist, they must also provide comparable out-of-network therapy benefits for mental health. If you’ve been told in the past that your plan “doesn’t cover therapy,” it’s worth a second look. Laws have changed to protect your right to use your out-of-network therapy benefits without unfair restrictions.
The Emotional Value of “Investing” in Yourself
There is a psychological component to the private pay model. When you pay for a service directly, there is often a higher level of “buy-in” and commitment to the process. This isn’t just our opinion; several studies in clinical psychology suggest that clients who have a direct financial stake in their treatment often see faster results.
By choosing to use your out-of-network therapy benefits rather than a “free” or low-cost insurance clinic, you are making a conscious investment in your own well-being. That $100 isn’t just a fee; it’s a placeholder for the value you are placing on your mental health. We honor that investment by providing the highest quality, most attentive care possible.
What a Superbill Actually Looks Like
Transparency is our middle name. When you receive your Superbill to claim your out-of-network therapy benefits, it will contain a few key pieces of information:
-
Provider Information: Our NPI (National Provider Identifier) and Tax ID.
-
Client Information: Your name, DOB, and address.
-
Diagnosis Code (ICD-10): A standard code used to describe the focus of our work.
-
Procedure Code (CPT): Usually 90837 for a standard individual session.
-
The Amount Paid: A clear statement that you have already paid $100.
This document is the “key” to unlocking your out-of-network therapy. We send these out automatically on the first of every month, but we can also provide them on a per-session basis if that helps you get reimbursed faster.
Navigating Different Plan Types
Not all insurance plans are created equal when it comes to out-of-network therapy benefits. Here is a quick breakdown of what to look for:
-
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): These are the “Gold Standard” for out-of-network therapy benefits. They almost always allow you to see any provider you want.
-
HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan): These plans work perfectly with our $100 rate. Since you’re paying out of pocket anyway until the deductible is met, our lower rate saves you money immediately.
-
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): These are the trickiest. They rarely offer out-of-network therapy benefits unless it is an emergency. If you have an HMO, you might consider using an HSA/FSA to pay our $100 fee.
Regardless of your plan, we recommend calling the number on the back of your card and specifically asking about “out-of-network therapy for behavioral health.”
Final Thoughts: The Freedom of Choice
At the end of the day, therapy is one of the most personal experiences you will ever have. You are sharing your deepest thoughts, fears, and dreams with another human being. Do you really want an insurance company’s computer algorithm deciding who that person should be?
By moving away from the “in-network” model and helping you utilize your out-of-network therapy, Southern Therapy restores the human element to healthcare. We provide the expertise, the $100 predictable rate, and the paperwork. You provide the courage to show up. Together, we make your mental health a priority that fits into your life—and your budget.
Ready to get started?
We’ve helped hundreds of clients successfully navigate their out-of-network therapy benefits to get the care they deserve.