Private Pay Therapy in California: Superbills and Out-of-Network Benefits

Blackburn Clinical Services is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. We do not take or bill insurance, and we provide superbills for all reimbursable services so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement for therapy and the Concierge Outpatient Program. Care is by secure video for clients located in California, and our only office is in Los Angeles. For fees, call (888) 870 7405 or email info@blackburnclinical.com.

What does private pay therapy mean?

Private pay, also called self-pay, means you pay the practice directly for each service instead of the practice billing your insurance company. Blackburn works this way for therapy, the Concierge Outpatient Program and our other services. It does not mean your insurance is irrelevant: many plans, especially PPO plans, reimburse part of the cost of care from out-of-network providers, and a superbill is how you claim it.

Does Blackburn take insurance?

No. We do not take or bill insurance. The two exceptions are handled by partners: insurance for TMS is handled directly by Helios, and insurance for neuropsychological testing is handled directly by Brainworks. For every other service, we provide superbills so you can seek reimbursement from your plan.

What is a superbill?

A superbill is a detailed receipt with the information an insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim, such as dates of service, service codes and provider details. We provide one for all reimbursable services, whether the session happened by video or in our office.

How does out-of-network reimbursement work?

Here is how it typically works, step by step:

• Step 1: you pay for your session at the time of service.
• Step 2: we provide a superbill.
• Step 3: you submit the superbill to your insurance plan, directly or through an app such as Reimbursify.
• Step 4: your plan reimburses you according to your out-of-network benefits.

Reimbursify is an app we recommend. It lets you photograph or upload a superbill, submit it to your plan from your phone and track the reimbursement. Many of our clients find it saves time and frustration.

What should you ask your insurance company first?

Before you begin, call the member services number on your insurance card and use this checklist:

• Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health care?
• What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met this year?
• What percentage of the cost is reimbursed after the deductible?
• Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered each year?
• Does it matter whether the session is by video or in person?
• How do I submit a superbill, and how long does reimbursement usually take?

Write down the answers, the date and the name of the person you spoke with. If the answers are confusing, call us and we will help you make sense of them.

How does private pay compare with in-network care?

	Private pay with out-of-network benefits	In-network care
Who you pay	The practice, at the time of service	Usually a copay or coinsurance; the practice bills the plan
Paperwork	You submit a superbill, directly or through an app	The practice handles claims
Who shapes the plan	You and your clinician, based on clinical judgment	Your clinician, within the plan’s coverage rules
Session limits and approvals	Set by clinical need	Some plans limit sessions or require approval to continue
Choice of clinician	Any licensed clinician you choose	Limited to the plan’s network

Why is Blackburn an out-of-network practice?

Insurance reimbursement rates for mental health care are low and have not kept pace with the cost of thorough, high-quality treatment. Plans also often limit how many sessions are covered, require approval before care can continue, or decide which treatments they will pay for. Staying out of network lets us keep a team of highly trained, experienced clinicians, spend the time each person needs, and base treatment decisions on clinical judgment rather than insurance limits.

Is the Concierge Outpatient Program reimbursable?

That depends on your plan. The program is made up of one-on-one services, and we provide superbills for all reimbursable services, whether you take part by video from elsewhere in California or in our Los Angeles office. Your plan decides what it reimburses and at what rate, so the checklist above is the best way to find out. The program is an individualized alternative to IOP, typically 3 to 5 hours a week with no groups; read more on our virtual outpatient program page.

Can you use an HSA or FSA?

Some clients use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for eligible care. Check with your plan administrator about what qualifies.

How much does therapy cost?

We do not post prices online because cost depends on the services in your plan and how often you meet. All of our services are available individually or can be combined into a customized package. Call (888) 870 7405, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and we will walk you through fees and help you understand your benefits before you commit to anything. Our article how much does therapy cost explains what usually shapes the price of therapy.

If private pay is not possible for you right now, public options exist. Every California county has a mental health plan, and the Department of Health Care Services lists each county’s contact number (DHCS).

Private pay questions

Does Blackburn Clinical Services take insurance?

We do not take or bill insurance. Insurance for TMS and neuropsychological testing is handled directly by our partners, Helios and Brainworks. For all other services, we provide superbills so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement.

Do video sessions get a superbill too?

Yes. We provide superbills for all reimbursable services, whether the session is by secure video for clients located in California or in our Los Angeles office. Ask your plan whether it treats video and in-person sessions the same way.

What app do you recommend for submitting superbills?

We recommend Reimbursify, an app that lets you upload a superbill, submit it to your insurance plan from your phone and track your reimbursement.

Will my insurance cover part of the cost?

It depends on your plan. Many PPO plans include out-of-network mental health benefits. Call the number on your insurance card and ask about outpatient mental health coverage from out-of-network providers.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Some clients use a health savings account or flexible spending account for eligible care. Check with your plan administrator about what qualifies.

Can I use just one service?

Yes. All of our services are available individually or can be combined into a customized package.

How can I find out what it will cost me?

Call (888) 870 7405 or email info@blackburnclinical.com. We will walk you through fees and help you understand your out-of-network benefits before you begin.

Get started

Email info@blackburnclinical.com or send us a message. See our fees and insurance page, telehealth therapy across California and online therapy for Northern California. Blackburn Clinical Services, 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066.

Sources

• Blackburn Clinical Services, Fees and Insurance
• California Department of Health Care Services, County Mental Health Plan Information