3331 Sacramento Street
San Francisco CA 94118

"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 healh plans, Dr. Reidbord preserves 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 by the doctor and patient.

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 $175 for one hour.

Psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes and $175. 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 his special interest in psychotherapy, Dr. Reidbord is 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.

Dr. Reidbord is not on managed-care insurance panels and does not bill insurance companies. All patients except those using Medicare 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 Dr. Reidbord will supply additional paperwork or documentation to assist you in working with your health plan. However, you are financially responsible for all services provided.