Why are you billing insurance?
Billing insurance will benefit students by ensuring that mental health access is increased and improved. Our goal is to offer more services to more students in the long-term, and diversify the sources of funding so we can improve the viability of mental health services on campus. We want to continue to offer more mental health services to meet YOUR needs and provide equitable access to mental health services.
When will you start billing insurance?
We will start billing insurance on January 18th.
What insurance plans are accepted? Do you accept ISHIP for international students and GAIP for graduate student appointees?
We are in-network providers with the following insurance companies:
- First Choice Health PPO
- PacificSource
- Premera Blue Cross / Lifewise (ISHIP & GAIP)
- Tricare (HealthNet Federal Services)
We are in the process of negotiating contracts with the following and we will update this list as contracts get finalized:
- WA State Medicaid
- Amerigroup Washington
- Coordinated Care of Washington
- Molina
- Commercial Insurance
- Aetna First Choice Health
- Cigna Magellan
- Optum/ United Healthcare Community Plan
- Regence Blue Shield (King, Pierce, Snohomish)
What if I don’t have insurance?
That’s okay! We will still provide counseling services to students even if you don’t have access to insurance.
You can learn more about how to get health insurance here (under FAQ- “how do uninsured students get health insurance)
What if I don’t want to use my insurance?
Billing insurance can help the center gain more funds to hire more employees which increases access for the campus. Ultimately it is up to each individual’s discretion to decide whether or not they want to use their insurance for service at UWCC.
If SAF is paying for counseling, will this lead to an increase in my fees?
No. For more information about SAF, please see this page.
If I am on someone else’s insurance plan, what information would they see about my use of insurance for access at the Counseling Center?
- If you are insured in Washington state
- As of January 2020, a new law gives dependents (adult dependents and minors who can agree to care without a parent’s consent) the exclusive right to control who has access to their sensitive health information.
- Sometimes you need to keep your personal health information private, such as when your health insurer sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement after you’ve visited the doctor. The EOB shows what your medical provider charged for the visit and the services, what your insurer allowed and paid, and what you may owe out-of-pocket.
- By law, your health plan can’t disclose your information if you tell them in writing that:
- It could put your safety at risk; or
- It’s related to reproductive issues, sexually-transmitted diseases, substance-use disorder, or mental health services
- Under Washington state law, if you’re age 18 or younger and old enough to consent to your own health care services, your health plan should not release any personal health information about those services, unless you tell them in writing it’s OK. This includes:
- Mailing bills or EOBs to a policyholder or other covered people
- Calling the home to confirm appointments
- Mailing appointment notices
- Fill out the Confidentiality Request Form here.
What about groups?
Psychotherapy groups are billable to insurance and outreach/workshops are free. Please see this page for our current groups and workshops.
What about psychiatry services?
During this period of transition in winter quarter, we will be billing insurance for psychiatry services and will bill SAF for any student portion (copay, coinsurance, deductible, or full cost of the session). Psychiatry is a specialty service, so in the future we will be billing insurance and you will be responsible for copay and coinsurance based on your individual plan coverage. We will provide 2 months notice before we transition to this model. To understand your insurance plan coverage, please see this page.
