Session Fees & Policies
Welcome! I know that navigating therapy fees and insurance can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming. My goal is to be fully transparent and make this process as simple and clear as possible, so you can focus on what matters most: your mental health and well-being. ​​
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Session Fees​
A standard fee for a 50-minute session is $250​.
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I also offer a limited number of a reduced-fee spots through my reduced-fee program. Reduced-fee sessions are available to clients with or without insurance, and are offered at $70, $100, $150, or $200 per session. If you’d like to request therapy at a reduced fee, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to talk through options based on availability and fit.
Update (10/01/2025): All reduced-fee spots are currently full. ​​​If you'd like to join a waitlist for reduced-fee availability, please email me at contact@kristanmelo.com
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​In-Network Insurance
I accept some insurance plans, including:
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Aetna and Aetna Signature Administrators
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Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (formerly Empire)
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Virtual Network ​​​​
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Coverage varies by plan, so I always recommend verifying your mental health benefits directly with your insurance provider before starting services.
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Out-of-Network Insurance
If I do not accept your insurance, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company. You can submit your claims for free through Reimbursify. ​​​​​​​​
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You can check your estimated Out-Of-Network costs by using the cost estimator tool on my Zencare profile. ​​​
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Prefer not to wait for reimbursement?
I also work with Thrizer, a platform that allows you to pay only your portion of the fee (like a copay or coinsurance) at the time of session. Thrizer handles billing your insurance directly and pays me up front. There is a small fee (5% of the session cost) for using this option.
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If you're planning to use one of these options, you should also contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your out-of-network mental health benefits.
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Good Faith Estimate
If you’re paying out of pocket or don’t have insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining the expected costs of your care. This is part of the No Surprises Act, which helps ensure transparency around medical and mental health fees.
Read more here.
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Policies & Additional Fees
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Cancellation & Missed Appointment Policy
I understand that life happens, and I try to be flexible when I can. If you need to cancel, please do so at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee.
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Late cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice): Full session fee
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No-shows (no contact within 15 minutes of start time): Full session fee
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Need to reschedule? If you can move your session to another time within the same calendar week, the late cancellation fee is waived (pending availability).
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Additional Services
Some requests outside of therapy sessions may carry an additional fee (usually prorated at my hourly rate of $250), ​​​I’ll always let you know in advance if a fee applies. Additional fees apply if I'm asked to participate in legal matters. If you have questions about fees outside of therapy sessions, please feel free to reach out.
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​Payment
All payments and fees are due at the time of service and are processed securely through a HIPAA-compliant platform. I accept credit, debit, and HSA/FSA cards. A valid card is required to be kept on file to facilitate timely payment.
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Want more details? I go over all of this again in my intake paperwork so you’ll always know what to expect.
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Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking for a therapist who will honor your experiences, respect your pace, and support you in building a life that works for you, I’d love to connect. Visit my Services page, or reach out to schedule a free consultation.
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Not in New York? Explore my blog for tips and insights!