FAQs

Not at the present time. All services are provided virtually on a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform for your convenience.

Dr. Koch, Psy.D. is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and licensed in Virginia. All services are provided virtually on a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform for your convenience.

Dr. Koch, Psy.D. is a PSYPACT licensed provider. PSYPACT is an interstate compact designed to allow licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology across state boundaries legally and ethically. Click this link to view of map of which states are currently participating in the PSYPACT.

• This means if you are in one of the blue states on the map, Dr. Koch can see you virtually if you pay out of pocket for psychotherapy.

• If you are using your health insurance to pay for sessions, you must be located in Virginia.

Dr. Koch, Psy.D. is currently in-network with Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia.

Dr. Koch uses Headway to manage billing and administrative work if you choose to use your health insurance. Headway manages everything related to payments and insurance to make things as easy as possible for you.

If you choose to use your health insurance, you can set up an account here: Headway to add your insurance and payment details. You'll see your estimated cost per session ahead of time and can check your benefits through the client portal.

You must be located in Virginia if you want to use your health insurance to pay for psychotherapy.

If I am not in-network with your current health insurance, we can discuss out-of-network payment options.

All insurance claims will be processed by Headway Inc. If you decide to work with Dr. Koch, Psy.D., you will set up an account here: Headway. Headway will also provide you with an immediate estimate of costs for psychotherapy.

If you have any questions or concerns about your health insurance claims or account questions, you will need to contact your health insurance provider and Headway.

Dr. Koch, Psy.D. uses Headway for all insurance claims. If you are using your health insurance to pay for sessions, please inquire with your health insurance provider about your out-of-pocket costs, copays, and coverage. You must be located in Virginia if you want to use your health insurance to pay for psychotherapy. You might also have Out-of-Network benefits if you would like to pay for services out of pocket.

Out-of-Network, cash pay, and clinical supervision/consultation appointments are also available with Dr. Koch, Psy.D.

Reach out to inquire about costs.

During your first psychotherapy appointment, you can expect several key elements that will help set the stage for your therapeutic journey.

1. Introduction and Rapport Building: Your therapist will likely start by introducing themselves and explaining their plan for this first session. This is an opportunity for you to share a bit about yourself and your reasons for seeking therapy.

2. Discussion of Confidentiality: The therapist will explain the limits of confidentiality, outlining what information is private and the situations where they may need to disclose information (such as threats of harm).

3. Intake Assessment: You will undergo an intake assessment, which may include questions about your mental health history, current symptoms, medical history, and any relevant personal or family information. This helps the therapist understand your situation better.

4. Goal Setting: The therapist will discuss your goals for therapy. This might involve exploring what you hope to achieve and any specific challenges you are facing.

5. Questions and Answers: You will have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the therapy process, the therapist's qualifications, or anything else that concerns you.

6. Next Steps: At the end of the session, your therapist will typically outline the next steps, such as recommendations, scheduling future appointments and discussing any reflections you might consider before the next session.

The first appointment is primarily about gathering information and establishing a connection, so it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions. Remember that this is a safe space for you to express yourself.

1. Contact me via the contact form on this website, on Headway, or through Psychology Today.

2. We will schedule a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns and see if we are a good fit.

3. If you are using your health insurance to pay for services, you’ll create a Headway account to verify your information. They will also routinely send you a payment invoice after each session.

4. You’ll receive a link from Simple Practice regarding your first appointment and online paperwork to complete prior to our first session. We will use Simple Practice for our session via their HIPPA compliant video links. There will be a new link emailed to you for each session.

5. We will have our first session together and get to work.

When therapists accept health insurance for psychotherapy, it can create several challenges that affect both the quality of care and the experience for clients.

One major issue is that insurance companies often have strict rules about the type and length of therapy they’ll pay for. The healthcare system often values quick symptom reduction and standardized interventions that clash with the slower, more introspective nature of our work. This can limit therapists’ ability to use the methods or length of treatment they think are best for a client. Instead, insurance companies tend to favor shorter, problem-focused therapy sessions rather than holistic care, which might be more effective for some people.

Another concern is privacy. Insurance companies require therapists to share detailed information about clients, including their diagnoses and treatment plans, to approve payments. This can make some clients uncomfortable, as they may feel they can’t be fully open in sessions if their information is being shared with a third party. Moreover, therapists sometimes have to assign a diagnosis to justify coverage. This can lead to overdiagnosis or inappropriate labeling, which might impact clients in future areas, like future insurance coverage or employment.

In short, while accepting health insurance makes therapy more accessible for many people, it introduces limitations that can impact treatment quality, client privacy, and the financial health of therapy practices. Some experts suggest that changes in policy or new funding models could help address these challenges.