Montgomery Counseling Group

Rates & Insurance

Q: Do you take my insurance?

We are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Magellan, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend calling your insurance company to confirm your outpatient counseling benefits before your first session.

Q: How much does counseling cost without insurance?

The first full session is a 90-minute Initial Assessment priced at $200 for self-pay clients. Subsequent sessions are generally 60 minutes and cost $150. A sliding scale based on income is also available.

Q: How does the sliding scale work?

The sliding scale adjusts the session fee based on income. The free 20-minute consultation is a good opportunity to discuss whether the sliding scale may apply to you.

Q: What happens if I need to cancel a session?

Sessions canceled at least 24 hours in advance are not charged. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice, as well as missed sessions, may be billed at the full session rate.

Q: Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for sessions?

Yes. Counseling sessions may qualify as eligible medical expenses under applicable IRS guidelines, so HSA and FSA funds may be used to pay for eligible services.

Q: Do you file my out-of-network claim, or do I submit it myself?

We file the claim for you. If your insurance plan is outside our network, we submit the claim on your behalf and provide a superbill for your records.

Q: Do you require a card on file?

Yes. We require a payment method to be kept on file for every client. We bill insurance first, and any remaining out-of-pocket amount, such as a copay, coinsurance, or deductible, is charged to the card on file after the insurance claim has been processed.

Q: Do session lengths vary?

Yes. Session length is based on each client's individual needs rather than a fixed set of options. Your therapist will discuss the appropriate session length and timing with you directly.

Beginning counseling comes with practical questions, and cost is usually the first one. Here is how rates, insurance, and payment work at Montgomery Counseling Group (MCG).

Counseling Rates

Every client relationship begins with a free 20-minute consultation, a chance to ask questions and see whether we are a good fit. The first full session is a 90-minute Initial Assessment at $200 self-pay. Sessions after that are generally 60 minutes at $150. We offer in-person sessions in Charlotte and telehealth sessions across North Carolina. Couples and family sessions are billed at the same rate as individual sessions, $150 for 60 minutes. Insurance companies may reimburse couples or family sessions at a different rate than individual sessions, depending on the plan. Group therapy rates vary. For therapy groups billed through insurance, the rate is set by the insurance company. MCG also offers classes and programs that are billed out of pocket at $40 to $60 per session depending on the format, and the rate is shared with you before you join. Session length is based on what each client needs rather than a fixed menu of options. Your therapist will discuss timing with you directly.

Insurance

We are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Magellan, Medicare, and United Healthcare. For plans outside our network, we file the claim on your behalf and provide a superbill for your records.

Understanding Your Out-of-Network Benefits

If your plan is outside our network, many PPO plans still reimburse a portion of the cost once your deductible has been met. Reimbursement varies by plan, and a quick call to your insurance company before your first session can clarify what your plan covers. Helpful questions to ask: Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits? What is my deductible, and has it been met this year? What is the allowed amount for outpatient therapy, and what percentage is reimbursed? Do I need a referral or prior authorization?

Payment

We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. A sliding scale based on income is available, and the free consultation is a good time to discuss it. Sessions are also eligible for payment with HSA and FSA funds, since counseling qualifies as an eligible expense under IRS guidelines. We keep a payment source on file for every client. Insurance is billed first, and the remaining out-of-pocket portion, such as a copay, deductible, or self-pay balance, is charged to the card on file after insurance processes the claim

Good Faith Estimate

If you are uninsured, or if you choose not to use insurance for your sessions, you have the right under the No Surprises Act to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before your first session. Every client receives a written copy of their Good Faith Estimate in the client portal, and your charges will match the estimate you receive. For more information, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

Cancellation Policy

Sessions canceled at least 24 hours in advance carry no charge. Cancellations with less notice, and missed sessions, may be billed at the full session rate.

Connect With Us

A free 20-minute consultation is the easiest way to start. Call (980) 949-8990, email contact@montgomerycg.net, or book online whenever you are ready. We look forward to hearing from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take my insurance?

We are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Magellan, Medicare, and United Healthcare. Coverage varies by plan, so we encourage a quick call to your insurance company to confirm your outpatient counseling benefits before your first session.

What if my plan is outside your network?

We file the claim on your behalf and provide a superbill for your records. Many plans reimburse a portion of out-of-network counseling costs.

How much does counseling cost without insurance?

The first full session is a 90-minute Initial Assessment at $200 self-pay. Sessions after that are generally 60 minutes at $150, and a sliding scale based on income is available.

How does the sliding scale work?

The sliding scale adjusts the session rate based on income. The free 20-minute consultation is a good time to talk through whether it applies to you.

What happens if I need to cancel a session?

Sessions canceled at least 24 hours in advance carry no charge. Cancellations with less notice, and missed sessions, may be billed at the full session rate

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for sessions?

Yes. Counseling sessions qualify as an eligible expense under IRS guidelines, so HSA and FSA funds can be used for payment

Do you file my out-of-network claim, or do I submit it myself?

We file it for you. If your plan is outside our network, we submit the claim on your behalf and provide a superbill for your records.

Do you require a card on file?

Yes. We keep a payment source on file for every client. We bill insurance first, and the remaining out-of-pocket portion, such as a copay or deductible, is charged to the card on file once insurance has processed the claim.

Do session lengths vary?

Session length is based on what each client needs rather than a fixed menu of options. Your therapist will discuss timing with you directly.

Connect With Us

If you’re interested in counseling, learning more about us, or how we can help, please contact us today for a free consultation. Connect with us on LinkedIn for news on the Montgomery Counseling Group and news articles that align with our practices. We look forward to hearing from you!