Insurance & Billing

We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO/BlueChoice and Aetna commercial plans.

As an in-network provider, we are contractually required to bill your insurance directly — patients with BCBS or Aetna coverage are not able to opt out of insurance billing or choose the self-pay rate, even if it appears lower than your out-of-pocket cost.

A note about copays: To reduce administrative costs and keep our pricing as low as possible, we do not collect copays at the time of your visit. Instead, your insurance will process the claim and you will receive a single bill for your full patient responsibility (copay, coinsurance, and/or deductible) after your visit. This means:

  • We don't need to verify your copay amount in advance (which requires additional staff time).

  • There are no overpayments to track or refunds to process.

  • You receive one clear bill for exactly what you owe — no more, no less.

Please be aware that because we do not collect a copay at the time of your visit, the bill you receive afterward may appear higher than what you are used to seeing at other providers' offices. This is because most offices collect your copay upfront and then bill you separately for any remaining balance later. The total amount you owe is the same — we simply send it in one bill instead of splitting it into two payments.

For all other insurance — June 1, 2026

Effective June 1, 2026, we no longer submit claims to insurance companies on behalf of patients with out-of-network coverage — because skipping that step actually saves you money.

Out-of-network claims require extra administrative staffing, and those costs get built into the visit charge. Claims are also frequently denied, reduced, or only partially covered, often leaving patients with a larger-than-expected bill weeks later. By eliminating that overhead, we offer a lower, upfront price with no surprise bills.

  • Payment is due at the time of your visit. We accept credit cards and HSA/FSA cards. We do not accept cash or checks.

  • You'll receive a superbill — a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance company on your own for any eligible reimbursement.

  • No surprise bills. What you pay at checkout is what you owe.

FAQs

I have BCBS or Aetna — does anything change for me?

No. We remain in-network with both Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna and will continue to bill your insurance directly.

Why don't you collect my copay at the time of my visit?

Verifying copay amounts requires additional staff time, and collecting payments upfront often leads to overpayments that then require refunds — each of which costs us in transaction fees and administrative time. By billing you after your insurance processes the claim, we can send you one accurate bill for exactly what you owe. This helps us keep our overhead low and focus on your care.

My bill seems higher than what I pay at other offices. Why?

There are a few reasons this can happen:

  1. We don't collect copays upfront. Most offices collect your copay at check-in (for example, $30) and then bill you for the remaining balance later. Because we don't split the payment, your single bill includes your full patient responsibility in one amount. The total cost to you is the same — it's just presented in one bill instead of two.

  2. We spend more time with you. Visit charges are based in part on the time your provider spends with you. Because we take the time to be thorough and address your concerns without rushing, your visit may be billed at a higher level than a shorter visit at another office. A higher bill in this case reflects more of your provider's dedicated time and attention — not an inflated charge.

  3. Your plan design may differ from others. Insurance companies pay out what they are contracted to pay — but the amount you owe depends on the specific plan your employer selected, not on what we charge. Your neighbor with the same insurance company might pay a $10 copay, while your visit might apply entirely toward your deductible. Even though we are in-network with the same insurer, it is your employer's plan that determines whether your visit is covered by a flat copay, a coinsurance percentage, or applied to your deductible. If you're unsure how your plan works, we encourage you to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card.

Can I choose the self-pay rate instead of using my BCBS or Aetna coverage?

No. Our in-network contracts require us to bill your insurance at our agreed-upon rates. The self-pay rate is not available to patients covered by a plan we are in-network with, even if the self-pay rate appears lower than your out-of-pocket cost.

I have other insurance — can I still use it?

Yes — we'll provide all the documentation you need to submit a claim yourself. We simply no longer submit claims on your behalf.

Why is the self-pay rate lower?

Without the cost of claims processing and billing staff, we can offer a lower rate and pass those savings directly to you.

Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate

Under the No Surprises Act, patients who are uninsured or not using insurance for a visit have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges. If you schedule a service at least 3 business days in advance, we will provide you with a written estimate. If your final bill is $400 or more above the estimate, you may dispute the charge. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.