Fees & Insurance

What therapy costs,
before you call.

Private pay means there are no surprise balances. If you use out-of-network benefits, you get a detailed monthly superbill to submit directly to your plan.

Fees

Clear from the start.

Your card on file is charged the day of your session. HSA and FSA cards work.

Free15-minute phone call first

$200First session, 60 minutes

$175Standard session, 53 minutes

$125Shorter check-in session, 38 minutes, for clients winding down

Please cancel at least 48 hours ahead. The full fee applies after that, waived once a year and always for illness or a family emergency. Before the first session, anyone not using insurance receives a written Good Faith Estimate of costs, as required by the federal No Surprises Act.

Sliding scale

Six places, set by household income.

There are no pay stubs. The scale is simply a way to make room where it can.

All six spots are currently full. You can join a short list. The next spot usually opens in 4 to 8 weeks.

“I was on the sliding scale for most of a year and never once felt like a charity case.”Leigh A., Edgewater

Under $50,000$85 per session

$50,000 to $85,000$115 per session

$85,000 to $120,000$145 per session

Superbills

Out of network, without the mystery.

Penhallow Counseling is out of network with every insurance company. On the first of each month, Ines emails an itemized superbill with session dates, CPT codes, diagnosis code, fees paid, and Nora’s license and NPI numbers. CPT code 90791 is for the first session, and CPT code 90837 is for standard sessions.

You upload it in your insurer’s member site or app. They pay you back directly. Many PPO plans reimburse 50% to 80% after the out-of-network deductible. HMO plans usually do not reimburse out of network.

Sample superbill, September 2026

Penhallow Counseling214 Severn Landing Way, Suite 3
Annapolis, MD 21401

Provider: Nora Penhallow, LCSW-C
License no. 000000 · NPI 0000000000

Sept 8, 2026CPT 90791First session, 60 min$200.00 paid

Sept 15, 2026CPT 90837Session, 53 min$175.00 paid

Sept 22, 2026CPT 90837Session, 53 min$175.00 paid

Sept 29, 2026CPT 90837Session, 53 min$175.00 paid

Diagnosis code: F41.1 (sample)

Total paid$725.00

Emailed by Ines on October 1.

Before you begin

Three questions for your insurer.

Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health?
What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much have I met?
What percentage do you pay back for CPT 90837, and do you need pre-authorization?

If you pay directly and do not want a superbill, nothing goes to an insurance company and no diagnosis goes on an insurance record.

Want to talk it through first?