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FAQ
Do you accept insurance?
I do not directly bill insurance companies for my services. However, I have a NPI (National Provider Identity) number which enables me to give you a superbill - a receipt for the services I provide to you. This superbill can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement. I cannot guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you so please check with your insurance company for their policies on superbill reimbursement for mental health services. How do I schedule an appointment as a new client? To schedule an appointment, you email me at [email protected] or call 706-389-5055. What does the first session look like? The first counseling session involves a review of your intake paperwork and Meredith Casada Counseling policies, followed by a conversation about what your reasons are for seeking treatment and what goals you may have. It's really a time for us to connect and for me to get to know you and understand you better. You can share as little or as much as you want with me - there is no judgment and no pressure. How long should I expect to be in counseling? Length of treatment varies from client to client. We will discuss your expectations for treatment length in our first session and create mutual goals for treatment. What are some of the reasons people seek counseling? This is by no means an exhaustive list, but some reasons people seek treatment may be anxiety, depression, traumatic experience(s), life changes, grief, relational concerns, adoption, family concerns, emotional instability, trauma, grief, and life transitions. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES I. COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY: Meredith Casada Counseling is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your protected health information (PHI). PHI is information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health condition and related health care services either in paper or electronic format. This Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) is required by law to provide you with the legal duties and the privacy practices that Meredith Casada maintains concerning your PHI. It also describes how medical and mental health information may be used and disclosed, as well as your rights regarding your PHI. Please read carefully and discuss any questions or concerns with your therapist. II. LEGAL DUTY TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PHI: By federal and state law, Meredith Casada is required to ensure that your PHI is kept private. This Notice explains when, why, and how Meredith Casada would use and/or disclose your PHI. Use of PHI means when Meredith Casada shares, applies, utilizes, examines, or analyzes information within its practice; PHI is disclosed when Meredith Casada releases, transfers, gives, or otherwise reveals it to a third party outside of the Meredith Casada. With some exceptions, Meredith Casada may not use or disclose more of your PHI than is necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the use or disclosure is made; however, Meredith Casada is always legally required to follow the privacy practices described in this Notice. III. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE: The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by Meredith Casada Please note that Meredith Casada reserves the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment will be effective for all of your records that Meredith Casada has created or maintained in the past and for any of your records that Meredith Casada may create or maintain in the future. Meredith Casada will have a copy of the current Notice in the office in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of the most current Notice at any time. The date of the latest revision will always be listed at the end of Meredith Casada ‘s Notice of Privacy Practices. IV. HOW YOUR NAME MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI: Meredith Casada will not use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization, except as described in this Notice or as described in the “Information, Authorization and Consent to Treatment” document. Below you will find the different categories of possible uses and disclosures with some examples. 1. For Treatment: Meredith Casada may disclose your PHI to physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other licensed health care providers who provide you with health care services or are; otherwise involved in your care. Example: If you are also seeing a psychiatrist for medication management, Meredith Casada may disclose your PHI to her/him in order to coordinate your care. Except for in an emergency, Meredith Casada will always ask for your authorization in writing prior to any such consultation. 2. For Health Care Operations: Meredith Casada may disclose your PHI to facilitate the efficient and correct operation of its practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services. 3. To Obtain Payment for Treatment: Meredith Casada may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the treatment and services Meredith Casada provided to you. Example: Meredith Casada might send your PHI to your insurance company or managed health care plan in order to get payment for the health care services that have been provided to you. Meredith Casada could also provide your PHI to billing companies, claims processing companies, and others that process health care claims for Meredith Casada’s office if either you or your insurance carrier are not able to stay current with your account. In this latter instance, Meredith Casada will always do its best to reconcile this with you first prior to involving any outside agency. 4. Employees and Business Associates: There may be instances where services are provided to Meredith Casada by an employee or through contracts with third-party “business associates.” Whenever an employee or business associate arrangement involves the use or disclosure of your PHI, Meredith Casada will have a written contract that requires the employee or business associate to maintain the same high standards of safeguarding your privacy that is required of Meredith Casada Note: This state and Federal law provides additional protection for certain types of health information, including alcohol or drug abuse, mental health and AIDS/HIV, and may limit whether and how Meredith Casada may disclose information about you to others. V. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PHI IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES – YOUR NAME may use and/or disclose your PHI without your consent or authorization for the following reasons: VI. Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Prior Written Authorization: In any other situation not covered by this notice, Meredith Casada will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing medical information about you. If you chose to authorize use or disclosure, you can later revoke that authorization by notifying Meredith Casada in writing of your decision. You understand that Meredith Casada is unable to take back any disclosures it has already made with your permission, Meredith Casada will continue to comply with laws that require certain disclosures, and Meredith Casada is required to retain records of the care that its therapists have provided to you. VII. RIGHTS YOU HAVE REGARDING YOUR PHI: 1. The Right to See and Get Copies of Your PHI either in paper or electronic format: In general, you have the right to see your PHI that is in Meredith Casada’s possession, or to get copies of it; however, you must request it in writing. If Meredith Casada does not have your PHI, but knows who does, you will be advised how you can get it. You will receive a response from Meredith Casada within 30 days of receiving your written request. Under certain circumstances, Meredith Casada may feel it must deny your request, but if it does, Meredith Casada will give you, in writing, the reasons for the denial. Meredith Casada will also explain your right to have its denial reviewed. If you ask for copies of your PHI, you will be charged a reasonable fee per page and the fees associated with supplies and postage. Meredith Casada may see fit to provide you with a summary or explanation of the PHI, but only if you agree to it, as well as to the cost, in advance. 2. The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI: You have the right to ask that Meredith Casada limit how it uses and discloses your PHI. While Meredith Casada will consider your request, it is not legally bound to agree. If Meredith Casada does agree to your request, it will put those limits in writing and abide by them except in emergency situations. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. You do not have the right to limit the uses and disclosures that Meredith Casada is legally required or permitted to make. 3. The Right to Choose How Meredith Casada Sends Your PHI to You: It is your right to ask that your PHI be sent to you at an alternate address (for example, sending information to your work address rather than your home address) or by an alternate method (for example, via email instead of by regular mail). Meredith Casada is obliged to agree to your request providing that it can give you the PHI, in the format you requested, without undue inconvenience. 4. The Right to Get a List of the Disclosures. You are entitled to a list of disclosures of your PHI that Meredith Casada has made. The list will not include uses or disclosures to which you have specifically authorized (i.e., those for treatment, payment, or health care operations, sent directly to you, or to your family; neither will the list include disclosures made for national security purposes, or to corrections or law enforcement personnel. The request must be in writing and state the time period desired for the accounting, which must be less than a 6-year period and starting after April 14, 2003. Meredith Casada will respond to your request for an accounting of disclosures within 60 days of receiving your request. The list will include the date of the disclosure, the recipient of the disclosure (including address, if known), a description of the information disclosed, and the reason for the disclosure. Meredith Casada will provide the list to you at no cost, unless you make more than one request in the same year, in which case it will charge you a reasonable sum based on a set fee for each additional request. 5. The Right to Choose Someone to Act for You: If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action. 6. The Right to Amend Your PHI: If you believe that there is some error in your PHI or that important information has been omitted, it is your right to request that Meredith Casada correct the existing information or add the missing information. Your request and the reason for the request must be made in writing. You will receive a response within 60 days of Meredith Casada’s receipt of your request. Meredith Casada may deny your request, in writing, if it finds that the PHI is: (a) correct and complete, (b) forbidden to be disclosed, (c) not part of its records, or (d) written by someone other than Meredith Casada. Denial must be in writing and must state the reasons for the denial. It must also explain your right to file a written statement objecting to the denial. If you do not file a written objection, you still have the right to ask that your request and Meredith Casada’s denial will be attached to any future disclosures of your PHI. If Meredith Casada approves your request, it will make the change(s) to your PHI. Additionally, Meredith Casada will tell you that the changes have been made and will advise all others who need to know about the change(s) to your PHI. 6. The Right to Get This Notice by Email: You have the right to get this notice by email. You have the right to request a paper copy of it as well. 7. Submit all Written Requests: Submit to Meredith Casada’s Director and Privacy Officer, Meredith Casada, at the address listed on top of page one of this document. VIII. COMPLAINTS: If you are concerned your privacy rights may have been violated, or if you object to a decision Meredith Casada made about access to your PHI, you are entitled to file a complaint. You may also send a written complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights. Meredith Casada will provide you with the address. Under no circumstances will you be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint. Please discuss any questions or concerns with your therapist. Your signature on the “Information, Authorization, and Consent to Treatment” (provided to you separately) indicates that you have read and understood this document. IX. Meredith Casada’s Responsibilities: We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI. We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information. We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it. We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind. Date of Last Revision: 6/12/2022 No Surprises Act Patient Rights Information Under No Surprises Act YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS (OMB Control Number: 0938-1401) When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)? When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network. “Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit. “Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care - like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. You are protected from balance billing for: Emergency servicesIf you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services. Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed. If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections. You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network. When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections: If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact: For more information about your rights under federal law visit: CLIENT PORTAL Current clients - Click the button below to be taken to the TheraNest Portal. |