Yes; I participate with the following: • Aetna • Capital Blue Cross (not Independence or Keystone) • CCBH (Community Care Behavioral Health) • Cigna • Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured • Geisinger Health Plan • Highmark Blue Cross • Highmark Senior Blue • Magellan • Medicare • MH Net • Optum (United Behavioral Health) • PerformCare (CBHNP) • Quest Behavioral Health • UPMC Health Plan/UPMC for Life • Vibra Health Plan

No. If you do not want claims submitted to your insurance carrier, please let me know when you schedule your appointment. Self-pay rates are $175.00 for an initial intake, and $125.00 per session.

We accept cash, checks, Visa, Discover, or Mastercard.

You may contact my practice manager, Jennifer, for assistance with scheduling or financial questions. She can be reached at 717-919-6124. *She owns Velocity Medical Billing, so if you hear that on her voicemail or when she answers the phone, you have dialed the correct number.

NO. There is nothing crazy about seeking help for problems that may be too overwhelming to manage by yourself.

Because every individual is unique, frequency of visits and length of treatment are not fixed. Some people may feel better at the first visit, just because he or she no longer feels alone, or because he or she feels relief in talking with someone who is impartial and nonjudgmental. Other people may need more time to develop a sense of trust and rapport, and to develop a feeling of safety before they are able to begin working toward their goals. There is no right or wrong time-frame. At your intial intake, we will have a conversation about your needs and goals and will determine the most effective way to meet them.

Yes. Not only are our discussions protected by federal law, confidentiality is a critical component to building a trusting therapeutic relationshiop. Your privacy is my priority. There are a few scenarios that apply to all medical and mental health professionals that require mandatory reporting: • Knowledge of abuse of a child, elder, or person with a disability • Knowledge of intent to self-harm or hurt others • A court order You can view my HIPAA policy here.(https://www.velocitymedicalbilling.com/privacy-notice)

Friends, family, and children are not permitted to sit-in on our sessions together. Adults may wait for you in the waiting room. Due to safety and insurance policies, children may not accompany you to your sessions, or wait unattended in any area of the office.

Parking is free and plentiful in the lots in front of and behind the building. There is an accessible entrance on the ground floor. Please contact me if you need any assistance.

Medicare requires both a medical and a psychological evaluation prior to approval for payment of an implantable device (spinal cord stimulator, dorsal ganglion root stimulator, intrathecal pump, etc.). Most commercial insurance companies align their policies with Medicare's. Your physician assesses the physical side -- can you safely undergo surgery, will the implantable device address your particular issue, might it bring you relief, etc. A psychologist assesses for factors that would interfere with your ability to fully benefit from the device. The goal is to ensure that you will be able to adapt to and fully manage the device. Please don't worry about this assessment -- from a psychological perspective, most people are very good candidates for an implantable device.

Doctors today are under intense scrutiny when prescribing opioates. Your doctor wants to ensure that there are no contraindications for either beginning or continuing the use of opioids to help control your pain.

The management of chronic pain is most effective when your medical, as well as your mental and emotional health are being cared for. Chronic pain is a complex condition and no informed health care professional thinks it's "just in your head."