Office Policy

In order to schedule services with us, simply call our office. Every effort will be made to provide you with a speedy appointment for initial services.

Appointments are generally scheduled for "one hour." Our therapy "hour" consists of 45 minutes. Your prompt arrival is greatly appreciated since vacant time in the office schedule is lost forever. No charge is made for canceled appointments when 24 hours advance notice is given. If no notice is given for a missed appointment, you may be charged the full fee. Your insurance does not cover charges for missed appointments.

Your rights to confidentiality are guaranteed by professional ethics and state law. We will release information to no one without your informed consent in writing. Confidentiality may be waived only if there is clear and present danger to human life or as otherwise allowed by law, and then only to those parties provided for in the law. We are HIPPA compliant.

We have 24 hour emergency coverage. If our office is closed, you may call 563-383-1768 to reach our paging service and request to speak to your therapist or the on-call therapist. In a severe emergency, please go to the Emergency Department at MercyOne Genesis or to the nearest emergency room of any hospital.

It is our office policy to bill your insurance carrier as a courtesy to you, although you are responsible for the entire balance at the time of service. If you insurance carrier does not send payment within 30 days, the balance will be due in full from you. If any payment is subsequently made by your insurance carrier in excess of the balance, we will promptly refund the credit amount to you. It is not our policy to contact carriers to determine why they haven't paid or why they paid less than originally indicated. You will receive an itemized statement from our office on a monthly basis. You may ask for your itemized statement at each session as well. Mastercard, VISA and Discover are accepted in our office. Payment plans are available for patients who require extended therapy. Arrangements may be made with our business office. It is important to know that if your services are court ordered, your insurance carrier may not cover that service.

Many insurance plans require a preliminary authorization prior to receiving service. You are responsible for obtaining any such prior authorizations with your managed care program. Usually you have an "800" number on the back of your insurance card to call for any such authorizations or for any information regarding mental health services covered by your plan. Any services provided without proper authorizations will not be covered by the plan and you will be responsible for any balances due.

Other managed care and employee assistance programs have additional restrictions and requirements. If you are covered by such plans, be sure to check with you plan or our staff to make sure all requirements for services to you are met.