Question 1

What can I expect during the first session?

Accepted Answer

First sessions, also called intakes, are all about getting to know one another. We begin by reviewing the signed paperwork and answering any questions you may have. For the remaining time, I'll ask you questions about what's bringing you to therapy, the areas you want to work on, your history, etc. We'll also explore who you are as a person outside of your therapy goals, including your culture, education, hobbies, relationships, etc. Based on all the information you provide, we'll wrap up the session by exploring next steps in your treatment.

Question 2

Do you offer in person sessions?

Accepted Answer

At this time, JB Counseling & Wellness only offers virtual therapy services. Because of this, clients can be located anywhere in the state of Texas.

Question 3

What should I do if I'm in crisis or having an emergency?

Accepted Answer

JB Counseling & Wellness is not a crisis counseling center. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and ask for the mental health specialist on call to receive an evaluation.

Question 4

Do you work with kids and adolescents?

Accepted Answer

At this time, my caseload is limited to individuals 18 years and older. If you are seeking specialized care for your child, I am more than happy to provide you with referrals for clinicians with similar expertise who work with kids and teens.

Question 5

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am in network with the following BlueCross BlueShield of Texas plans:

Blue Choice PPO (BH)
Blue Premier HMO
Blue Essentials HMO
Blue High Performance Network (HPN)

To ensure I am in network with your specific plan, call the number on the back of your card or search for "JB Counseling & Wellness PLLC" or "Julia Bickerstaff" on your plan's specific app, platform, website, etc.

I also recommend making sure that your plan's behavioral health services are covered by BCBS and not by a third party such as Magellan. Some plans outsource behavioral health coverage to another insurance provider, even if your medical coverage is with BCBS. If this is the case with your plan, your claims will get denied since I am only in network with BCBS. You can double check this by calling the number on the back of your card and asking the representative if your plan's behavioral health services are also covered by BCBS or if they are outsourced to another vendor.

Question 6

What if I don't have BCBS or you are out-of-network?

Accepted Answer

If you have an insurance provider other than BCBS and wish to submit claims for reimbursement, superbills can be accessed via the client portal for you to download and send for reimbursement. It is client responsibility to contact their insurance company and inquire about their specific out-of-network benefits, reimbursement amounts, etc.

Here are some helpful questions to ask your insurance regarding out-of-network reimbursement:

»  Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health services?

»  Do I have a deductible for out-of-network services? Has it been met?

»  What is my reimbursement rate/percentage for out-of-network services?

»  How do I submit out-of-network claims for reimbursement?

CPT codes you may need include:

»  90791: Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation

»  90837: 60-minute psychotherapy session

»  90834: 45-minute psychotherapy session

View the notice of Good Faith Estimate here.

Question 7

What is your private pay rate?

Accepted Answer

My private pay rate is $175 per session. This fee includes time for session prep, progress notes, and treatment planning outside of session time.

Both private pay and insurance payments (copay, coinsurance, deductible, etc.) are due at the time of service.

View the notice of Good Faith Estimate here.

Question 8

What is the client portal?

Accepted Answer

The client portal is a HIPAA-compliant platform where you can access invoices, superbills, and any resources sent to you by your therapist. You can also manage your billing information, cancel appointments, and request new session times through the portal. It's a secure way to manage your care and related documents.

Sessions can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance through the portal to avoid a late cancellation fee. Appointment reminders are also set up and sent through the portal.

Existing clients can access the client portal here.

Question 9

What is the best way to contact you?

Accepted Answer

For non-emergencies: Existing clients can reach me via the secure message feature in their client portal. Because I am in session for most of the day, responses may be sent the following business day. New clients may submit a contact form below; I typically respond to inquiries within 1-3 business days.

For emergencies: JB Counseling & Wellness is not a crisis counseling center. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and ask for the mental health specialist on call to receive an evaluation.

Question 10

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Reach out at any time via phone or the online contact form below; I typically respond within 1-3 business days. I'll ask about setting up a consultation to further discuss our work together and answer any questions you may have. If your goals and my expertise align well, we'll schedule an intake appointment and I'll send you a link to complete the paperwork!

Please note that all paperwork must be completed before the intake session.  If you choose to cancel your appointment after reviewing the documents, you may do so via the portal or through email at: hello@jbcounselingwellness.com

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