FAQs

What to expect

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I'm so glad you are here. I've composed a list of frequently asked questions. If there is something I've left off this list, please send me a message and I'll do my best to answer all your questions or book a free consult. 

FAQ's

How do I get started?

Just click on the Book a Free Consult button on my website and schedule according to your preference. If you would like to ask some questions before you schedule, please send me a message through the website or an email at [email protected].

Do I need therapy?

We often think that we want to change. What that means for each of us is different. Perhaps we suppose our lives would be better if other people behaved differently or our circumstances changed. Therapy involves knowing what we're dealing with so that we can make the changes necessary to have the life we so desire. We often live on automatic, not knowing what we're doing or why we're doing it. We remain stuck.

Suppose you feel like you run into the same problems repeatedly. If that is the case for you, therapy can help you get "unstuck" by discovering your specific ways of responding to life and helping you develop new tools for living the life you desire.

To create the lasting change we desire, we need courage and willingness. I am here to guide you in this process. We can do this together.

How often do I come to therapy?

Ongoing psychotherapy typically occurs weekly for the first couple of months on a day and time agreed upon. After the first few sessions, we'll decide together what works best for you.

How are neuroscience-based
therapies different from
traditional talk therapy?

With neuroscience-based therapies, we use techniques like Brainspotting, Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address the roots of the problem while staying anchored in the present. Brain-body treatments are known as “bottom-up” therapy, which aims to release the physical stress in the body, thereby leading to the release of emotional stress in the body. Traditional talk therapy is known as “top-down” therapy. That is, standard therapy tries to solve problems with the conscious mind.

What are your office hours?

I currently see clients Tuesday through Friday. My office hours vary but are currently from 9 am to 2 pm. I will occasionally work from different locations. If the time difference from my location to yours changes drastically, I may alter my office hours to compensate.

How long are your sessions?

Sessions typically last for 45-50 minutes

How does the No Surprises Act affect me?

The No Surprises Act requires providers who have private pay clients to provide clients with an estimate of costs for the year so that they are not surprised by their medical bills. Read More Below.

What is your cancellation policy?

If a session is missed or rescheduled without 24 hours’ notice, a late fee of $120 will be charged.

Where are you located?

DBA Susan Meinert Ellis LCSW

Primary Business Address:
2241 North Monroe Street #1106
Tallahassee, FL 32303

1646 W Hwy 160
Suite 105 431
Fort Mill, SC 29708

6543 N Landmark Dr #1179
Park City, UT 84098

#1090
861 Williston Road STE 8
Staples Shopping Plaza
South Burlington, VT 05403

Are you available after business hours?

I am not typically available after business hours. I will occasionally make an exception, but it is not a common occurrence. Please feel free to leave me a voicemail and/or send me a text or an email. Either I or my assistant will contact you back as soon as possible.

How does scheduling work?

Please feel free to schedule a 15-minute free consult using any of the links on my site. Further appointments can be scheduled with me while we are in session or you can email me.

What is your fee? Do you take insurance?

My private pay rate is $195.00 per 45-50 minute session. I will be reviewing my fees every six months. You will be responsible for any applicable copay or deductible if I accept your insurance.

I also offer a free 15-minute consultation session to see if we are a good fit before any sessions occur.

I am currently in-network with United Healthcare (aka Optum). For all other insurances, I would be considered an out-of-network provider. I will provide a Super Bill upon request. Please get in touch with your insurance company regarding Out of Network reimbursement.

How do I contact you?

My administrative assistant manages my phone and email and functions as an extension of me. She is a mental health clinician and understands security and confidentiality. She will protect you in the same ways I would. If you would prefer, you may email me directly at [email protected].

What is online therapy like?

Online therapy sessions have some advantages over in-person therapy. Many people have told me that they appreciate the convenience of not having to make the drive to my office or lose more time from work commuting to and from my office. Many people appreciate receiving therapy in their own space, which allows them to feel more comfortable. For some people, the extra screen separation enables them to share more deeply.

For some people, online therapy is not the best option as they do not have access to a good internet connection. For some people, finding a private space to meet isn't easy. Some people are more comfortable meeting face-to-face. If this is true for you, it would be best to seek a therapist who offers in-office services. Clinical circumstances like suicidal or homicidal thoughts ought to seek treatment with a therapist who provides in-office services.

When is payment due?

Payment is due on the day of the appointment.

What can I expect from the first session?

Our first session will involve a gathering of information and an assessment of your wants and needs. We will discuss your goals for therapy and review ways to meet your needs and goals. Working together will provide insight into life experiences contributing to a feeling of being stuck. We will decide if the type of therapy I provide will be a good fit for you. If we determine you would benefit from alternative treatment, I will share some options for you, including referring you to another provider.

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.

Please note that Susan Meinert Amore LCSW does not interact with insurance companies and is an out-of-network provider.  We offer superbills to clients to submit to insurance themselves. Payment for services is due at time of service in full to Susan Meinert Amore LCSW. Clients are responsible for understanding what their own insurance company offers for out-of-network mental health benefits.  

“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 services

If 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: You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.

Your health plan generally must:

  • Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).
  • Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
  • Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
  • Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact:The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO.

Visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises for more information about your rights under Federal law.

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Disclaimer:

Susan Meinert Amore, LCSW is not an emergency provider. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911. If you are in crisis, contact a crisis center or emergency room and receive treatment as soon as possible. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1(800)273-8255. Online counseling is not appropriate for all people or situations.