AMHA-OR - Self-Pay Discounts
AMHA-OR Print Directory Therapists offer discounted services to individual, couple and family therapy clients who pay out of pocket at time of service when there is no paperwork other than receipt for payment.
Why Pay Out of Pocket for Your Psychotherapy Rather Than Use Your Insurance?
You want privacy.
Whenever insurance is used, some information (such as your diagnosis) is available to the insurance company and, at times, to employers. Managed care companies often ask for detailed personal information about clients in order to make payment decisions. This judgmental review can undermine the sense of privacy necessary for effective psychotherapy. When clients pay for psychotherapy out of pocket, there is no loss of privacy to managed care companies, insurance companies or employers.
You want to choose your own therapist.Many insurance companies limit the choice of therapists. Some of these "preferred providers" offer good treatment, keep their clients' interests foremost, and try to keep treatment brief without sacrificing quality. At times, however, the insurance company asks preferred providers to divide their loyalty between the client and the insurance company. Many clients prefer to choose their psychotherapist personally and avoid seeing a therapist with a potential conflict of interest. Other clients may want to work with a therapist who was highly recommended but may not be on the company or preferred provider list.
You want to choose the type and length of treatment. Managed care programs often limit the choice of therapy. While some interfere very little with the consumer's choice of type or length of therapy, others make many of the important treatment decisions - the length of treatment, the type of therapy, the use of medication and referral to self-help groups instead of professional services. Some companies provide only ultra-brief therapy and referrals. Self-paying for therapy may be necessary in order to receive the type and length of treatment needed.
You don't want managed care employees making choices for you. When managed care is responsible for payment, they have the power to influence your treatment. A company employee evaluates your motivation, the severity of your problem, and your progress, and makes treatment recommendations. The managed care therapist must take the company's recommendations into consideration or risk losing a contract to work with the company altogether. Many clients prefer paying for their own treatment to eliminate this outside influence.
You don't want to be labeled "sick." Whenever insurance is used for psychotherapy, the treatment must be "medically necessary," which means that your therapist must give you a psychiatric diagnosis. When you pay directly, you may seek consultation from a mental health professional for any reason you choose. People use therapy for personal growth, for help coping with stressful life situations, and for marriage and family difficulties, as well as for chronic and serious psychological problems.
You don't want to be labeled "sick." Whenever insurance is used for psychotherapy, the treatment must be "medically necessary," which means that your therapist must give you a psychiatric diagnosis. When you pay directly, you may seek consultation from a mental health professional for any reason you choose. People use therapy for personal growth, for help coping with stressful life situations, and for marriage and family difficulties, as well as for chronic and serious psychological problems.
Who We Are, What We Believe
AMHA-Oregon is an alliance of independent psychotherapists who are concerned about the effects of managed care policies on the delivery of mental health services.
We offer consumer information about our concerns, information that is often not disclosed by insurance companies. We also explain self-payment alternatives to the managed care system, and why we believe these sometimes better serve consumers interest.
We strongly believe that consumers have a right to all the information about their health care. Informed consumers can make intelligent choices about the best therapist, the most appropriate therapy goals, and the type and duration of treatment. We want consumers to know that affordable psychotherapy is available outside the managed care system.
We believe that clients should have the right to choose their own therapist, have confidential therapy, and make decisions about their own therapy. We are deeply concerned about how managed care companies can threaten all of these rights.
History and Structure of AMHA-Oregon
AMHA-Oregon is a non-profit member-owned mutual benefit corporation of mental health professionals, chartered February, 1996.
AMHA-Oregon is a member chapter of the developing national organization: AMHA-USA.
AMHA-Oregon initiated a print directory marketing effort in 1998 focused on creating visibility for AMHA-Oregon and educating the public about the necessity for privacy, confidentiality and integrity in mental health services.
All public information and advertising issued by AMHA-Oregon is written and approved by AMHA-Oregon's Marketing Committee. Individual members are free to advertise their affiliation with AMHA-OR and to speak out about their reasons for participating in AMHA.
The independent psychotherapists who advertise in the print directory are a sub group of the larger AMHA-Oregon membership.
All AMHA members are committed to the Principles of AMHA. Each has paid an AMHA-Oregon Enrollment fee. Directory participants pay $65 per month to support the public education and advertising of the AMHA-OR directory.
All print directory members can be found on this website at the Therapist Locator button. You will also find practice listing information for many other AMHA-OR member therapists.
Independent Practitioners
While they may study or consult together AMHA-OR therapists are licensed individually and maintain independent practices. Each therapist sets his/her own fees and clinical policies.
Should you use your insurance?
Many AMHA-OR therapists will work with you to obtain whatever insurance coverage is available for your therapy. Some provide psychotherapy through managed care plans; some do not. You should feel free to talk to your potential therapist about the advantages and disadvantages of using whatever coverage you have.
No Profits
No profits are made by AMHA-Oregon or the AMHA Oregon Psychotherapist's Directory. Payments by our members are used to educate the public, manage the organization and advertise the services of members. Although managed care companies usually do not disclose the terms of their financial arrangements with professionals, we believe that full disclosure of all financial arrangements is important.
© 1998-2013 American Mental Health Alliance.
