San Francisco Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist | Steven Reidbord MD

Steven P. Reidbord, MD
for careful evaluation and psychotherapy that makes sense

3331 Sacramento Street
San Francisco CA 94118

(415) 474-7600

"Why no insurance contracts?"

Most insurance plans want you to choose from a list of doctors they contract with. This way, the doctors get referrals, and the health plan can cut its costs. The only one who doesn't benefit is you. Listed doctors are usually full and can't see a new patient for weeks. Treatment is not confidential: The doctor must discuss your case with semi-trained insurance workers for "authorization" to see you. Basic decisions about your care, such as the number of sessions, are decided by health plan employees, usually in a far-away office. At a more subtle level, the personal relationship between you and your therapist is complicated by an interfering bureaucracy.

By not contracting with health plans, I preserve your confidentiality as fully as the law allows. Nothing leaves the office in a report to your health plan or insurance company. Billing is straightforward and included as part of the therapy relationship. Treatment decisions are made privately by the two of us.

Of course, you are free to submit your charges for insurance reimbursement. This way, you decide how much to share with your health plan.

Billing & Fees

Initial consultations are $200 for one hour.

Psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes and $200. Medications, if any, are discussed in the same session (i.e., no separate medication consultation visit or charge). Sometimes the fee can be adjusted in cases of financial hardship, for example if therapy is regularly scheduled more often than once a week.

Medication-only visits are $85 for about 20 minutes. Due to my special interest in psychotherapy, I am usually unavailable for new patients seeking medication-only treatment.

Detailed written evaluations are available for an additional fee.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. You will be charged for same-day cancellations or failure to show for your appointment.

I am not on managed-care insurance panels and do not bill insurance companies other than Medicare. However, I am a Medicare "preferred provider." I reserve a limited number of spaces for those who have Medicare as their primary insurance; call me for details. All other patients are asked to pay in full, by cash or check, at the time of service.

Patients receive monthly itemized statements suitable for insurance reimbursement, and I will supply additional paperwork or documentation to assist you in working with your health plan. However, you are financially responsible for all services provided.