Financial Assistance for Cognitive Therapy
Many people out in our community would like to talk to a therapist. Maybe they deal with depression or anxiety, but have never believed they could afford to see a professional for help. What if that depressed or anxious person was able to get themselves to a therapist to talk about their concerns, without the additional worry of ‘how am I going to pay for this’? What if that person was able to experience what it’s really like to be listened to, maybe for the first time. Unfortunately, this story of hope is not what many people with mental health concerns experience. Many people do no seek help and down the road on their mental health journey, they can become debilitated, hospitalized and even incarcerated. Life generally doesn’t get easier for most of us. Life gets harder, mental health issues progress, especially without support. The revolving door of services costs the taxpayer so much year after year. Professional therapy is not free
Average cost of a 1 hour out-patient therapy session. $60-$160+, depending on the provider. Those that are fortunate enough to have Mental Health coverage on their insurance plan, will most likely have a co-pay. This could range from $10-$50+. Having health insurance does not guarantee that it includes Mental Health coverage. If a client does not have insurance and is deemed to have financial burdens that inhibit them from being able to pay for therapy, a therapist may charge a discounted rate. Average discounted rate $50-$60. Organizations that help with the financial burden of Therapy are nowhere to be found. Please contact us if you know of an organization that helps in this way. FACT goals in covering the cost of therapy due to financial struggles.1 year plan. Goal____Pay for 1 session a month, up to $60, per client. Covers co-pay or discounted rate. Goal____Have the financial ability to help 50+ clients a month, achieve their goal to attain and continue needed therapy for at least one year (depending on if their insurance has a limit on visits). Goal____Help decrease costs to our community by decreasing the amount of ER visits by clients who are suicidal / homicidal or are dealing with other mental health issues. Roadmap to how FACT will work
1. FACT and provider will have/sign agreement.
2. Provider sees client at initial visit.
3. Provider and client discuss financial aspect of paying for therapy sessions.
4. Provider deems client could benefit from assistance from FACT.
5. Client and provider agree on terms of payment method; insurance, personal.
6. After client successfully achieves a follow up visit, provider will send a bill to FACT for price of co-pay or discounted rate. No more than $60.
7. Provider then sends a bill to FACT for payment. In this situation, both parties benefit. The Client receives professional therapy, helping them gain more control and peace in their lives. The provider receives payment for their professional services in our community. The client who is willing and able to achieve the task of:
-calling to make an appointment…
-showing up for the appointment…
-following up with additional monthly appointments…
…Will benefit from FACT by having 1 therapy appointment per month paid for. Up to $60 a month, $720 a year.
…Will benefit with gaining life skills, learning healthy coping mechanisms, modeling for their own families and communities healthy ways to live life.
-Less alcohol and drug abuse.
-Less domestic violence / child abuse.
-Less neglect
…Our community will benefit from:
-paying for fewer ER visits that would otherwise be the burden of the taxpayer
-paying for fewer incarcerations.
-Having a healthier community by way of client’s benefits.
-Mental / Behavioral disorders have many co-morbidities, which do not create a healthy community.Exploring and developing easier ways to achieve a healthy mental state in our community is essentially preventative care.
-Making Therapy more available by decreasing the financial burden will help! Once FACT has a non-profit status, finances will be obtained through tax deductible donations. Currently, FACT is licensed through Oregon. All donated funds will be used to pay for clients who have successfully received one therapy session through a licensed professional, who has assessed for financial need for assistance. Hurdles for FACT:
Starting a non-profit has many challenges…
Need of board members…
Start-up costs…
Connecting to professional, licensed therapists in Central Oregon…
Developing a contract between FACT and therapists. Marketing towards those who could benefit and would be successful at getting to a therapist.
