“I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.” -Richard Feynman
Concierge mental health services allow for enhanced client care through flexible scheduling, adjustable session times and the availability of alternative locations in addition to traditional office visits. Alternative locations, such as in-home or workplace visits, are available to clients who cannot attend office visits due to medical or mental health issues, or other needs in order to accommodate the busy lifestyles of her clients. Her ability to individualize her client treatment services also allows for the consideration of teletherapy, text, email, or video face-to-face services as appropriate and in accordance with confidential/ethical guidelines, after an initial face-to-face visit.
Dr. Kerr will work closely with you during your initial session to help you identify what services delivered in what way and with customizations would be best to meet your goals and needs. A typical traditional office visit for individual therapy is 60 minutes of one-on-one treatment. There are no pre-set number of sessions assigned.
A new client initial intake evaluation for therapy is 90 minutes.
Yes, MBW services are confidential, and the law protects communication between clients and Dr. Kerr. Phone contact, office visits, and house calls are all confidential, as are all records maintained about client treatment. MBW cannot ensure the confidentiality of email or text communication (occurring outside of the Teletherapy platform), and Dr. Kerr discusses this and obtains written consent for such communication prior to any initiation directly from the client. Information about clients is never disclosed without their written permission, with two exceptions*: 1. Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder adult. 2. As compelled by court order.
*There is no Duty to Warn in Alabama for psychologists and psychiatrists. In other words, threats of imminent, serious bodily harm to oneself or another person(s), are not exempted from confidentiality for psychologists or psychiatrists. However, Dr. Kerr may choose to do so and will discuss this and the consequences of this with you during your first session.
MBW does not directly file costs with your insurance company. By not participating in insurance panels, Dr. Kerr is able to maintain the highest level of client privacy. She does not disclose information about client care with insurance companies and third-party payers, which would otherwise be required by those companies and may include information such as diagnosis and access to clinic records.
This also allows Dr. Kerr to maximize cost-effectiveness by allowing her to provide individualized adjustments to service rates and fees, and make ethical use of the barter system in place for mental health providers.
For clients who have a PPO insurance plan or whose insurance provides out of network benefits, Dr. Kerr can provide you with the form and invoice for your payment needed to submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurance company, which would then reimburse you directly. Of note, PPO insurance companies require the disclosure of diagnostic and procedure codes and also reimburse at variable rates.
Also, some clients use a credit card or PayPal to purchase their sessions and then submit their bill to their Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
As opposed to other concierge practices, MBW does not charge a retainer fee and operates as a fee-for-service proprietorship.
Fees vary based on a number of factors. The average range of cost per session is $135 to $205. Adjustable rates are available to undergraduate and graduate/medical students. Additionally, a sliding scale adjustable rate based on annual income, as well as the type of service provided, may also be available to approved clients as well as an ethical bartering system. All fees are discussed prior to starting treatment, and types of services needed will be decided upon initial visit. Dr. Kerr is committed to working closely with clients to ensure that they get a fair and reasonable price and are able to obtain the care that they deserve.
Payment for office visits or house calls is typically due at the close of each session and can be made with cash, check, credit or debit card.
MBW may also consider payment in services rather than cash. Bartering is allowed by the Ethics code so long as it is not exploiting the client or clinically contraindicated (e.g. It would be clinically contraindicated to negotiate help on a website from a client with an internet addiction.)
Clients are responsible for keeping their regular appointments and providing as much advance notice as possible if they need to reschedule or canel. Clients are responsible for payment of missed sessions if they no-show without notice or provide less than 24 hours notice (one business day) for a cancellation.
Referrals can be made by completing the Referral Form and faxing or emailing it to Dr. Kerr. You may also call and make a referral via phone. However, referrals are not necessary for a new client to establish treatment at Mountain Brook Wellness.