Current clients will use the Client Access Portal that allows for secure sharing of documents, allows you to verify upcoming appointments, download Superbills, and securely message me. To log in your Client Access Portal, click here.
Location & Hours
My office is located at 9990 Fairfax Blvd, Suite 110, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030. I offer therapy services in person on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, and virtual sessions on Thursdays, or as requested. I see clients during daytime and afternoon hours.
Rates & Insurance
INSURANCE:
I prioritize expert, individualized care and believe that treatment decisions should be made by professionals, not influenced by insurance companies. To maintain this flexibility and uphold the highest standards of care, I do not participate in any insurance plans. I will provide you with Superbills monthly that document treatment services, if requested, which includes the information needed by your insurance company should you submit for out-of-network reimbursement. I am not a covered provider for Medicare or Tricare, which means you will not qualify for reimbursement from those insurances, and Superbills will not be provided.
RATES:
Diagnostic Intake: $280
45 Minute Session: $225
60 Minute Session: $260
I require clients to keep a credit card on file, secure and encrypted with my Electronic Medical Record to charge on the date of service. FSA and HSA funds are appropriate to use as payment for therapy services and can be entered as the credit card on file, where relevant.
Please remember to cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance. You will be responsible for the entire fee if cancellation is less than 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect in my first appointment?
In your first appointment, we’ll have the opportunity to discuss your concerns that are bringing you to therapy, share about some aspects of your personal history, and determine goals and/or clarify what you are hoping to get out of therapy. You’ll also learn about how I believe I can support you toward healing and growing in the ways you wish. My wish is to offer you hope and a path forward. One important aspect of our first appointment is for you and I to both make sure we are a good fit to work together - this is a collaborative process and you are empowered to decide what is right for you.
In rare instances in which I do not believe that my skills fit your needs, I will let you know that, and help you find a provider who is a better fit for you ~ my biggest wish for you is for you to be able to work with the therapist who can really help you with your unique symptoms or concerns.
How often will I attend therapy sessions?
Weekly therapy is generally the most common and effective frequency of therapy. At times of high stress or crisis, twice a week therapy may be indicated, and arranged as schedules permit. As clients make progress toward their goals and are in more of a “maintenance” phase of treatment, every other week therapy frequency may be appropriate.
If I need medication, can you prescribe it?
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have a Ph.D. - or Doctorate of Philosophy - and as such, am trained in research, testing and therapy. Because I have not gone to medical school or received medical training, I cannot prescribe medications. However, I have strong working relationships with a number of psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in the area, and I am happy to facilitate a referral if adding psychiatric medication is appropriate for your treatment goals.
What do I ask when I call my insurance company?
There is specific information that you may want to gather form your insurance company to learn about your coverage and claim process so that you know what to expect:
● Does my policy cover therapy services provided by an out-of-network therapist?
● What is my deductible for out-of-network services?
● What percentage of therapy costs are covered once my deductible is met?
● Where can I obtain the needed forms to submit an out-of-network claim for reimbursement?
● What is the process for submitting out-of-network claims for reimbursement?
● How long should a response or reimbursements take after it is submitted?
How do I submit documentation to get reimbursed from my insurance company?
Submitting an out-of-network claim for reimbursement involves several easy steps, and I’m happy to guide you through the process.
Step 1: Understand your insurance policy. Check your insurance policy to understand your out-of-network benefits, including deductible amounts, co-insurance, and reimbursement rates. You can call your insurance provider for any clarification needed on coverage and claims procedures.
Step 2: Obtain a Superbill for services provided. An itemized Superbill can be provided monthly, or as requested, which should include the required codes and details about the services rendered, diagnosis, dates, fees, and provider Tax ID and NPI numbers that insurers require.
Step 3: Complete the Claim Form. Visit your insurance company’s website to download their specific out-of-network claim form, or request one form customer service. Complete the form accurately, which may require the following:
* Client information, including insurance ID number and name of insured.
* Provider’s information, including name and office location.
* Dates of service
* Types of services received
* Total amounts charged
Step 4: Submit the Claim. Follow any specific guidelines provided by your insurer, including preferred submission methods (online, fax, email). Submit the completed claim form and Superbill. Many insurance companies have a “portal” in which you can submit out-of-network claims. If mailing, consider using certified mail for tracking.
Step 5: Follow Up. Track the claim, keeping a copy of all documents submitted and date submitted. A spreadsheet can be a useful tool for tracking dates and what documentation has been sent and received. Contact your insurance company after 6-8 weeks to check on the status of your claim. Have your claim numbers and dates of service for reference. Keep records of communications and responses related to your claim for future reference.
** Note for those with High Deductible Plans: Sometimes clients report that they have a high deductible plan, so that it is not worth submitting Superbills, as they will not receive reimbursement. However, it can still be beneficial to submit the claims in order to be applied toward your deductible, which may allow these or other claims to be eligible for reimbursement later in the year.
Good Faith Estimate
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 healthcare 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 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 may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most that 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.
According to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), consumers covered under (i) a fully-insured policy issued in Virginia, (ii) the Virginia state employee health benefit plan; or (iii) a self-funded group that opted-in to the Virginia protections are also protected from balance billing under Virginia law. For more information about your rights, visit scc.virginia.gov/pages/BalanceBilling-Protection.
Michelle Mullaley, Ph.D. is an out-of-network private practice that is not a part of an in-network facility, or provider of emergency medical services. My fees are fully disclosed in advance of services, and are not heretofore protected under these provisions since we do not participate in balance billing.
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:
1. The provider of your services at 703-828-8018 or hello@michellemullaleyphd.com to clarify or remediate the discrepancy.
2. Your insurance company if you have sought to receive out-of-network reimbursement through your insurance company.
3. The Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance at 1-877-310-6560 or scc.virginia.gov/pages/File-Complaint-Consumers to file a complaint.
4. The federal agencies responsible for enforcing the balance billing protection law at 1-800-985-3059 or https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers/complaints-about-medical-billing
Visit cms.gov/nosurprises for more information about your rights under federal law.