Payment Contract for Services
Federal Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement for Professional Services
Part OneFees for Professional Services I (we) agree to pay Jeff DePaul, LMHC , hereafter referred to as the clinic, a rate of $90.00 per clinical unit (defined as 45–50 minutes) for assessment, testing, individual, family and relationship counseling. The fee for the completion of reports or forms is based upon the time it takes to complete the documents at the rate of $90.00 an hour. There is a $25.00 minimum for the completion of forms or reports.
These rates do not apply to legal proceedings such as report writing, depositions, court testimony, consultation with your attorney, and so on. Information about fees and rates for legal proceedings will be provided at your request. A fee of $25.00 is charged for missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Part Two Clients with Insurance (Deductible and Co-payment Agreement)This clinic has been informed by either you or your insurance company that your policy contains (but is not limited to) the following provisions for mental health services:
If Jeff DePaul, LMHC is a provider for your Insurance or EAP Company, the contracted (discount) rate applies. Estimated Insurance Benefits
1)$ Deductible amount (paid by insured party)
2)Co-payment_____%( $ /clinical unit) for first visits.
We suggest you confirm these provisions with the insurance company. The Person Responsible for Payment of Account shall make payment for services which are not paid by your insurance policy, all co-payments, and deductibles. We will also attempt to verify these amounts with the insurance company.
Your insurance company may not pay for services that they consider to be non-efficacious, not medically or therapeutically necessary, or ineligible (not covered by your policy, or the policy has expired or is not in effect for you or other people receiving services). If the insurance company does not pay the estimated amount, you are responsible for the balance. The amounts charged for professional services are explained in Part One above.
Part ThreeAll Clients Payments, co-payments, and deductible amounts are due at the time of service. There is a 1% per month (12% Annual Percentage Rate) interest charge on all accounts that are not paid within 60 days of the billing date.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have read and agree to the conditions and have received a copy of the Federal Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement for Professional Services (part one of this document).
Person responsible for account: Date: //
Release of Information Authorization to Third Party
I (we) authorize Jeff DePaul / DePaul Counseling to disclose case records (diagnosis, case notes, psychological reports, testing results, or other requested material) to the above listed third-party payer or insurance company for the purpose of receiving payment directly to Jeff DePaul / DePaul Counseling . I (we) understand that access to this information will be limited to determining insurance benefits, and will be accessible only to persons whose employment is to determine payments and/or insurance benefits. I (we) understand that I (we) may revoke this consent at any time by providing written notice, and after one year this consent expires. I (we) have been informed what information will be given, its purpose, and who will receive it. I (we) certify that I (we) have read and agree to the conditions and have received a copy of this form.
Person(s) responsible for account: Date: //
Information and Introduction to Services:
Jeff DePaul, Licensed Mental Health Counselor MH-5567
Client Name ______Date of Birth______ Name of the Insurance Policy Holder: ______SS# of the Insurance Policy Holder: ______Date of Birth______
I would like for the Jeff DePaul or an associate of his to reach me by calling, mailing e-mailing, and texting to the following places: (Please do not provide any number where you would NOT want to be contacted.):
Address: ______City: ______Zip: ______Cell Phone Number: ______May we text you about appointments? ______
Home Number:______
E-mail address: ______
If you are requesting counseling for your child or dependent, complete this section.
Name of Minor Client: ______DOB: ______
I have decided to have my child participate in counseling services provided by Jeff DePaul. I am the legal guardian of ______and I have full authority to consent to counseling on his/her behalf.
Signed: ______Date: ______
Informed Consent, Emergent and Urgent situations, Individual Practice:
I am aware that counseling may involve risks, including and not limited to, the experience of unpleasant feelings and emotions. I have elected to participate in this counseling program voluntarily and I understand that this consent may be revoked orally or in writing by me at any time.
I understand that Jeff DePaul does not provide emergency services or consultation. I will call 911 or my local hospital in the event of an emergency. In an urgent situation I will contact the emergency referral number provided by my insurance company or Employee Assistance Program. If that is not available, I will call 234-1234 the Hillsborough Co. Crisis Line.
All of the counselors in our office are independently licensed. This is not a group practice. Each counselor is fully responsible for their own professional practice.
It is often recommended that my counselor consult with my family doctor about my counseling. At this time, I DO NOT want my counselor to communicate to my doctor. If I change my mind, I will complete a release of information for my counselor and doctor to communicate about my care.
Confidentiality and Client Rights:
Please let your counselor know if you have any questions about your rights to privacy.
- You have the right to confidentiality and are guaranteed this right by the state of Florida.
- You have the right to fully participate in treatment planning.
- You have the right to refuse treatment.
- You have the right to access your records.
- You have the right to confidentiality of records.
- There are legal exceptions to confidentiality to protect safety and health. Your records and personal information will be released to the appropriate authorities if you are determined to be dangerous to yourself or others, if a child or elderly adult is being abused, if threats of violence are made, and if court ordered, subpoenaed, or for any reason required by law.
- Please review our current Privacy Practices Document available on our webpage or office.
Insurance and billing Information:
Name of Insurance Company: ______
I hereby authorize all payments by my insurance company to be paid directly to Jeff DePaul, LMHC. I authorize Jeff DePaul to release information to my insurance company concerning my (or my dependent’s) participation in treatment, the services I have received or will receive, and my diagnosis. I also understand that that my insurance company may review my records and I agree to allow this review process to occur. I permit Jeff DePaul, LMHC to list my signature as “on file” for each treatment date of service rendered and listed on insurance claims. My approved signature is “on file” for claims submitted by mail, fax, or electronically. This approval also permits insurances payments to be made directly to Jeff DePaul, LMHC.
I have reviewed this document and understand all terms and conditions. I have received a copy of the Rights to Privacy Document.
Print Name: ______(print name)
Signature: ______Date: ______
If your partner is participating in counseling, we would like for your partner to review the information contained in this document as this information regarding the right to treatment, informed consent, and confidentiality applies to them as well. I have received a copy of the Rights to Privacy Document.
Partner Name: ______(print name) Signature: ______Date: ______
Limits of Confidentiality
The contents of a counseling, intake, or assessment session are considered to be confidential. Both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. It is the policy of this clinic not to release any information about a client without a signed release of information. Noted exceptions are as follows:
Duty to Warn and Protect
When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person, the health care professional is required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults If a client states or suggests that he or she is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or has recently abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, the health care professional is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.
Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances Health care professionals are required to report admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that are potentially harmful.
In the Event of a Client’s Death In the event of a client’s death, the spouse or parents of a deceased client may have a right to access their child’s or spouse’s records.
Professional Misconduct Professional misconduct by a health care professional must be reported by other health care professionals. In cases in which a professional or legal disciplinary meeting is being held regarding the health care professional’s actions, related records may be released in order to substantiate disciplinary concerns.
Court Orders Health care professionals are required to release records of clients when a court order has been placed.
Minors/Guardianship Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access the client’s records.
Other Provisions
When fees for services are not paid in a timely manner, collection agencies may be utilized in collecting unpaid debts. The specific content of the services (e.g., diagnosis, treatment plan, case notes, testing) is not disclosed. If a debt remains unpaid it may be reported to credit agencies, and the client’s credit report may state the amount owed, time frame, and the name of the clinic.
Insurance companies and other third-party payers are given information that they request regarding services to clients. Information which may be requested includes type of services, dates/times of services, diagnosis, treatment plan, and description of impairment, progress of therapy, case notes, and summaries.
Information about clients may be disclosed in consultations with other professionals in order to provide the best possible treatment. In such cases the name of the client, or any identifying information, is not disclosed. Clinical information about the client is discussed.
When couples, groups, or families are receiving services, separate files are kept for individuals for information disclosed that is of a confidential nature. The information includes (a) testing results, (b) information given to the mental health professional not in the presence of other person(s) utilizing services, (c) information received from other sources about the client, (d) diagnosis, (e) treatment plan, (f) individual reports/summaries, and (h) information that has been requested to be separate. The material disclosed in conjoint family or couples sessions, in which each party discloses such information in each other’s presence, is kept in each file in the form of case notes.
In the event in which the clinic or mental health professional must telephone the client for purposes such as appointment cancellations or reminders, or to give/receive other information, efforts are made to preserve confidentiality. Please list where we may reach you by phone and how you would like us to identify ourselves. For example, you might request that when we phone you at home or work, we do not say the name of the clinic or the nature of the call, but rather the mental health professional’s first name only.
If this information is not provided to us (below), we will adhere to the following procedure when making phone calls: First we will ask to speak to the client (or guardian) without identifying the name of the clinic. If the person answering the phone asks for more identifying information we will say that it is a personal call. We will not identify the clinic (to protect confidentiality). If we reach an answering machine or voice mail we will follow the same guidelines.
Please check where you may be reached by phone. Include phone numbers and how you would like us to identify ourselves when phoning you.
HOME/Cell number: ______
How should we identify ourselves? May we e-mail you? ______Yes _____No E-Mail Address:______
I agree to the above limits of confidentiality and understand their meanings and ramifications. Client’s name (please print) ______
Client’s (or guardian’s) signature: ______Date: ______
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