What
do I need to do prior to my first session?
You will need to contact OATS staff by calling 815-991-9053, emailing info@oatsonline.org, or through completing our Contact Form on our website. You will be asked to provide basic information that will allow us to schedule your first appointment with your Specialist. We will also provide you with detailed information regarding the process of receiving and completing/submitting intake
paperwork, how to familiarize yourself with our video teleconferencing (VTC) service (SecureVideo.com), and how to make payments. Please feel free to ask any other questions that you may have regarding your treatment at OATS.
What can I expect during my first session?
Your initial session will last approximately 90 minutes. Your Specialist will check in with you regarding your comfort level with the technology-related aspects of treatment (e.g., VTC software, completing paperwork and assessment forms, making payments). If you have any questions, or are uncomfortable with any of the technology involved in treatment, your Specialist will address these issues before continuing with the session. It is important for you to feel as comfortable as possible! Your Specialist will then review various parts of your initial paperwork with you as part of the Informed Consent process. The remainder of the session will be devoted to you and your Specialist getting to know one another, discussing your treatment goals, and further assessing your needs for treatment. Comprehensive assessment and detailed treatment planning are vital to successful treatment and can take up to three sessions to complete.
How long are my sessions going to be?
As mentioned above, you can expect your first session to last 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions will last approximately 60 minutes, with longer (and shorter) session times available if determined to be necessary to address your treatment needs. See below for an answer to an FAQ regarding our rates.
How often will I meet with my Specialist?
You can expect to meet at least once weekly with your Specialist, at least initially. More frequent (and longer) sessions may be recommended in order to address your treatment needs. As your symptoms start to improve, and you become more confident with your treatment approach, you will meet with your Specialist less frequently in order to give you the opportunity to experience success with implementing your treatment strategies on your own!
How long does treatment take?
This is a very difficult question to answer. It depends on many factors, such as severity of symptoms, time available to devote to treatment, family accommodation of symptoms, life events and other stressors, etc. A fairly realistic expectation of treatment duration is around 16 sessions, with some people moving through treatment more quickly, and others more slowly. Treatment progress can be expedited with more frequent sessions (3-5 times weekly) of longer duration (two or more hours per session). This treatment approach is known as “intensive” treatment, and is available at OATS.
Will my insurance cover my sessions?
It depends on the state in which you reside, as well as your insurance policy. More and more states are passing legislation that requires federal, state, and private payers to reimburse for Telemental Health services. Your insurance policy may reimburse “out-of-network” rates for your sessions at OATS, meaning that part or all of your session costs may be covered. You may have deductibles to meet, co-payments/co-insurance payments, limitations on number of sessions covered, etc. that may affect your expected financial contribution during treatment. It is ultimately your responsibility to understand fully your insurance coverage. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact your insurance company to verify your out-of-network benefits prior to entering into treatment at OATS.
Will you work with my insurance company?
OATS does not submit insurance claims on your behalf. We will, however, provide you with statements for services rendered so that you may submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. We will also complete any necessary paperwork for your insurance company. If your insurance company requires a more extensive report, our hourly fee will apply and will be pro-rated according to the time required to complete the report.
Why aren’t you “in-network” with insurance companies?
Insurance companies can impose limitations on the type and duration of treatment, and these limitations can adversely affect treatment outcome. For example, many of the treatments offered at OATS are more effective if they can be implemented multiple sessions per week, and for multiple hours per session; this is referred to as “intensive treatment.” Many insurance companies do not reimburse for intensive treatments, and as a result, you may not benefit as quickly or as fully in treatment. By not contracting with insurance companies, our Specialists can make treatment decisions with your best interests in mind, thereby increasing your chances of reaching your treatment goals in a timely manner.
What are the costs associated with treatment?
Treatment sessions (including the initial 90-minute session) are billed at $200 per 60-minute session. Sessions lasting longer (or shorter) than 60 minutes will be pro-rated according to the $200 hourly rate.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is expected at the time of service. However, we do understand that costs associated with treatment can create financial stressors. If this is the case for you, you may speak with your Specialist about arranging a payment plan that will allow you to pay a scheduled, agreed-upon amount until your balance is paid in full.
You will need to contact OATS staff by calling 815-991-9053, emailing info@oatsonline.org, or through completing our Contact Form on our website. You will be asked to provide basic information that will allow us to schedule your first appointment with your Specialist. We will also provide you with detailed information regarding the process of receiving and completing/submitting intake
paperwork, how to familiarize yourself with our video teleconferencing (VTC) service (SecureVideo.com), and how to make payments. Please feel free to ask any other questions that you may have regarding your treatment at OATS.
What can I expect during my first session?
Your initial session will last approximately 90 minutes. Your Specialist will check in with you regarding your comfort level with the technology-related aspects of treatment (e.g., VTC software, completing paperwork and assessment forms, making payments). If you have any questions, or are uncomfortable with any of the technology involved in treatment, your Specialist will address these issues before continuing with the session. It is important for you to feel as comfortable as possible! Your Specialist will then review various parts of your initial paperwork with you as part of the Informed Consent process. The remainder of the session will be devoted to you and your Specialist getting to know one another, discussing your treatment goals, and further assessing your needs for treatment. Comprehensive assessment and detailed treatment planning are vital to successful treatment and can take up to three sessions to complete.
How long are my sessions going to be?
As mentioned above, you can expect your first session to last 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions will last approximately 60 minutes, with longer (and shorter) session times available if determined to be necessary to address your treatment needs. See below for an answer to an FAQ regarding our rates.
How often will I meet with my Specialist?
You can expect to meet at least once weekly with your Specialist, at least initially. More frequent (and longer) sessions may be recommended in order to address your treatment needs. As your symptoms start to improve, and you become more confident with your treatment approach, you will meet with your Specialist less frequently in order to give you the opportunity to experience success with implementing your treatment strategies on your own!
How long does treatment take?
This is a very difficult question to answer. It depends on many factors, such as severity of symptoms, time available to devote to treatment, family accommodation of symptoms, life events and other stressors, etc. A fairly realistic expectation of treatment duration is around 16 sessions, with some people moving through treatment more quickly, and others more slowly. Treatment progress can be expedited with more frequent sessions (3-5 times weekly) of longer duration (two or more hours per session). This treatment approach is known as “intensive” treatment, and is available at OATS.
Will my insurance cover my sessions?
It depends on the state in which you reside, as well as your insurance policy. More and more states are passing legislation that requires federal, state, and private payers to reimburse for Telemental Health services. Your insurance policy may reimburse “out-of-network” rates for your sessions at OATS, meaning that part or all of your session costs may be covered. You may have deductibles to meet, co-payments/co-insurance payments, limitations on number of sessions covered, etc. that may affect your expected financial contribution during treatment. It is ultimately your responsibility to understand fully your insurance coverage. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact your insurance company to verify your out-of-network benefits prior to entering into treatment at OATS.
Will you work with my insurance company?
OATS does not submit insurance claims on your behalf. We will, however, provide you with statements for services rendered so that you may submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. We will also complete any necessary paperwork for your insurance company. If your insurance company requires a more extensive report, our hourly fee will apply and will be pro-rated according to the time required to complete the report.
Why aren’t you “in-network” with insurance companies?
Insurance companies can impose limitations on the type and duration of treatment, and these limitations can adversely affect treatment outcome. For example, many of the treatments offered at OATS are more effective if they can be implemented multiple sessions per week, and for multiple hours per session; this is referred to as “intensive treatment.” Many insurance companies do not reimburse for intensive treatments, and as a result, you may not benefit as quickly or as fully in treatment. By not contracting with insurance companies, our Specialists can make treatment decisions with your best interests in mind, thereby increasing your chances of reaching your treatment goals in a timely manner.
What are the costs associated with treatment?
Treatment sessions (including the initial 90-minute session) are billed at $200 per 60-minute session. Sessions lasting longer (or shorter) than 60 minutes will be pro-rated according to the $200 hourly rate.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is expected at the time of service. However, we do understand that costs associated with treatment can create financial stressors. If this is the case for you, you may speak with your Specialist about arranging a payment plan that will allow you to pay a scheduled, agreed-upon amount until your balance is paid in full.