DYANE N. SHERWOOD, PhD
JUNGIAN PSYCHOANALYST, IAAP-Certified in Adult and in Child Analysis
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST CA9197, OH6693, IL- 071010869
CERTIFIED SANDPLAY THERAPIST, TEACHING MEMBER CST-T STA/ISST
ABOUT MY PRACTICE
Voice Mail: +1 440 714 0854
Beginning in July 2024, I will be on a one-year sabbatical from my practice.
The best way to reach me during my sabbatical is by email:
INSURANCE
I have chosen not to take part in insurance "panels," and so you will not find me listed as a "preferred provider" for your health insurance company.
Insurance companies refer to practitioners who are not contracted with them as "out-of-network" providers. You may wish to review your coverage to see if "out-of-network" providers are covered by your plan.
Although I do not work directly with insurance companies, I will provide you with a monthly statement, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
I made the decision not to serve on insurance "panels" because I strongly believe that the patient-therapist relationship must be confidential and that the decisions about the course of therapy should be up to you.
Insurance companies have no ethical responsibility to protect the interest of the insured. Although they do not like to reveal this information, being a "preferred provider" or being on the company's insurance "panel" requires the mental health professional to sign a contract that allows the insurance company to determine the number of sessions allowed. This is usually below the maximum on the actual contract that the insurance company has made with you. Some contracts require the therapist to submit reports or notes that include the treatment plan, interventions, the course of treatment, and some information about the content of therapy. A representative of the insurance company reviews your "case" and can decide whether the sessions are covered. I have been offered contracts that require the therapist to agree not to continue privately with the patient if the coverage is denied.
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY
OF YOUR THERAPY
Beware of signing a "Release of Confidentiality" requested by your insurance company. Your insurance company may ask you to sign a "Release of Confidentiality" which states that it is "HIPAA-Compliant." HIPAA is the federal law that establishes your right to privacy. HIPAA prevents insurance companies from basing your coverage on your signing a "Release of Confidentiality." The form you have received is HIPAA-Compliant because HIPAA allows the insurance company to request that you sign away your privacy rights.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has excellent information about insurance coverage, including the federal requirement that mental health treatment receive the same coverage as other medical treatments ("parity"). It has additional information about how to advocate for coverage should your insurance claim be denied.