This page explains your rights under the No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act is a federal cost-estimate rule that applies when a consumer does not have health insurance, or the consumer has insurance but is not planning to use it to pay for care at this clinic. It also protects consumers from surprise or unexpected medical bills for services received if the provider or facility is considered out-of-network.
If you don't have insurance or are not planning on using your insurance to pay for services, you have the right to receive a good faith estimate of what we expect to charge for psychotherapy (excluding emergency-room or other hospital bills) at least three business days prior to your appointment.
Anxiety Center of Annapolis is a private outpatient psychology practice. Sessions are scheduled with Dr. Sarah Rovnak. Your costs here are the fees we discuss with you (and, if you use insurance, whatever your plan requires you to pay).
Good faith estimates
If you are uninsured or you have coverage but are planning to pay us directly without billing your insurance plan, you have the right to a written good faith estimate of the expected charges.
You can ask for an estimate before you book. You do not have to use the words “good faith estimate.” Asking what therapy will cost is enough.
A good faith estimate is not a bill. It provides a list of the services we reasonably expect to provide and what we expect to charge based on what we know at the time. Therapy length varies. We may estimate an evaluation, a period of weekly sessions, or both. If the plan changes (for example, we meet more often or the fee changes) we will give you an updated estimate.
Please keep a copy (or a photo) of your estimate so you can compare it with what you are charged.
If we bill your insurance
Dr. Rovnak participates with some health plans. If she is an in-network provider with your plan and you are planning to have the clinic submit a claim for your sessions, this good faith estimate rule does not apply. You will still owe according to your individual plan's coverage policy (copay, coinsurance, or deductible). Those amounts are determined by your insurer, not from this estimate process.
Please confirm your benefits with your plan before your first appointment. A current list of plans we participate with is on our Fees & Insurance page.
If we are out-of-network for your plan
If your plan is not one we participate with, you may still choose to pay out of pocket for services at this clinic. On request, we can give you the paperwork many plans need if you want to seek out-of-network reimbursement. Please make sure to check with your insurance provider prior to the first session to inquire about your individual plan's out-of-network coverage.
If you are planning to pay out of pocket and not use insurance for these visits, ask for a good faith estimate. If you want us or you to submit a claim, tell us that when you schedule so we handle your estimate correctly.
If you are paying on your own
That includes people with no health coverage, and people who have coverage but choose not to use it here.
Tell us that when you inquire or book. We will give you a written estimate. Current session fees are listed on Fees & Insurance. Your estimate will be individualized and may cover more than one visit.
If a bill is much higher than the estimate
If you received a good faith estimate and later receive a bill from us that is at least $400 more than that estimate, federal law allows you to ask for an independent review. That process is run by the federal government, not by this office. There is a filing window (generally 120 days from the initial bill) and a small administrative fee.
Please note that starting a review will not change the quality of your care.
Details: Learn more about the dispute process
Regardless of your insurance carrier, the No Surprises Help Desk can help.
No Surprises Help Desk: 1-800-985-3059
This Help Desk is for No Surprises / good faith estimate questions for anyone. The $400 dispute process above is for uninsured or self-pay bills (i.e., not using insurance to cover services). Medicare and TRICARE have their own appeal processes.
If you are using Medicare or TRICARE for the visit, the $400 good faith estimate dispute above does not apply.
Medicare Consumers: Begin with your Medicare Summary Notice (or plan notice) and follow the appeal instructions contained in this notice. You may also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
TRICARE Consumers: Begin with a written appeal to your regional contractor. If you have TRICARE For Life and Medicare covers the service, appeal with Medicare first.
You can also reach out to us first. Many differences are easier to sort out with our clinic than through a formal dispute.
What this page is not about
Hospital and emergency “surprise billing” rules do not apply to a scheduled therapy session at this office.
This page does not change your insurance contract, guarantee that a plan will pay, or lock in a set number of sessions.
How to request an estimate
Email info@annapolisanxiety.com and indicate that you would like a cost estimate (or a good faith estimate).
Please include your name and date of birth; whether you have health coverage, and whether you want a claim submitted; and the service you are asking about (evaluation, individual therapy, or couples counseling).
We will send the estimate in writing, by email or on paper — tell us which you prefer.
A note on estimates
A good faith estimate is not a contract. It does not require you to start or continue care here. It is our good-faith picture of expected charges, not legal advice and not a guarantee of your insurance benefits.
Federal rule: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers
Rights when you are not using insurance: https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights/no-insurance
Maryland Insurance Administration: https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/Federal-No-Surprises-Act.aspx