Therapy for anxiety and depression

Pricing
The fee for a 90-minute intake session with Dr. Kilgore is $350. Subsequent 55-minute sessions are $200. Longer or shorter times can be scheduled as necessary.
The fee for all student services is $75/hour.
​
Aetna and Medicare policy holders will pay only their normal co-pay amount, if required, after the yearly deductible is met. Neither will cover services for the students.
​
Private Pay Advantages
Paying out of pocket allows you to maintain control of your treatment and protects your privacy. In nearly all cases, insurance companies pay only for medically necessary treatment, and require a diagnosis of mental illness. These diagnoses become part of your medical record and can possibly affect hiring decisions or employment advances, raise the cost or preclude the purchase of life or disability insurance, or prevent security clearances and the like. I have no knowledge of who might have access to this information, or how it is protected once it leaves my office.
Additionally, insurance companies can make decisions about whether treatment or evaluations will be paid for and if so, for how long it is to continue. Some types of therapy, marital therapy, e.g., are routinely disallowed.
​
Payment policy
For insurance policies other than Aetna I recommend you check with your broker or the company directly to find out about out-of-network coverage. Other insureds will pay the full fee, and will receive all the information necessary to file a claim for reimbursement.
Please be aware that with any health plan, there may be deductibles and copayments for which you could be responsible, and they can change the rules when they choose.
What billing or insurance information will I receive?
​You will receive a copy of the services provided and the fee for each. Depending on what specific arrangements we make you might also receive a monthly statement of your account.
How long will it take to get things settled with the insurance company?
Generally, it takes from 15 to 30 days to obtain payment from an insurance carrier.​ Times vary according to plans and circumstances.​
​What will I be billed for?
I bill for psychotherapy at $200/hour after an initial intake session for $350. Longer sessions are possible, up to 90 minutes, with advance notice, though longer sessions are usually not covered by insurance. ​I will also charge for my time to complete forms or prepare reports depending on the complexity and time required.
​I received a notice that my insurance company has paid on my bill -- but I can't understand how they calculated their payment amount. Do you know?
​If I receive such information from your insurance company, I'll be glad to share it with you. I can also explain what some of the information means. However, for the best answers to any questions about insurance payments, deductibles, or co-payments, you generally need to check with your insurance company.
Tips for Healthy Living
-
Be productive in some way. By staying connected to friends and colleagues you keep your mind active and your brain stimulated. It helps to provide yourself with as much positivity as you can. Watching a funny movie is not curative but it can help grease the wheels of health.​​
-
Be physically active most days. A walk in the morning or after dinner, getting up and vacuuming, or even straightening the kitchen can make you feel a bit better. No, it isn’t easy. It is possible, and you are worth the effort.
-
Do not use alcohol or marijuana in excess or take any medication that is not prescribed by your treating physician. Alcohol is a depressive, and while it may cause a temporary positive feeling, it can actually do harm. Plus, it interferes with your sleep cycle. Marijuana also is not benign.
-
You would forgive your best friend for being less capable for a time. Find a way to forgive yourself for not being at your best.
-
If you are prescribed medication, take your medication. Take it as indicated and report back to the prescribing doctor about how it affects you. Do not wait for the doctor to ask. You are the one who feels horrible. You are the one who can be the most helpful in feeling better.
-
Talk therapy can be very helpful. The obstacles that have been in your way can be identified and encouraged to move. It can take time and effort. You are worth it.
