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1. How have your services changed due to COVID-19?

Due to the potential health risks posed with COVID-19, a greater sense of flexibility is required in order to ensure everyone’s safety. At this time, I am only scheduling therapy via a HIPAA-compliant Telehealth video conference. For psychological evaluations, all intake and feedback appointments will take place via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth video conference or via phone. In many instances, I may be able to gain valuable information by evaluating you or your child through Telehealth testing and observations. In other cases, it may be clinically necessary to meet in person for the testing portion of the evaluation process. It is also possible to do a hybrid model of both telehealth and in-person testing. We will discuss all options during the initial intake appointment.

 

I stagger in-person appointments to allow sufficient time to thoroughly sanitizing surfaces and assessment material. Clients will be required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when they arrive and wear masks throughout the appointment. Hand sanitizer will also be available throughout the appointment. Plenty of breaks will be available, including the option of taking “mask breaks” outside. 

 

While I typically have a 2 business day cancellation policy, this policy does not apply if you begin to display COVID-19 or any other cold/flu symptoms.

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2. What does an evaluation look like?
 

Evaluations are customized based on each individual’s needs. Prior to beginning the evaluation, we will meet for an initial 60- to 90-minute intake interview where we will discuss an in-depth developmental, psycho-social, and medical history, as well as have an in-depth discussion about your current concerns and reason for seeking an evaluation. At the end of the initial intake, I will have a better picture of how to best meet your needs. We will then discuss an evaluation plan, which includes an estimated amount of time for the entire evaluation, and I will be able to provide you with an estimated cost.

 

After the initial intake, we can schedule a testing appointment. The amount of time spent testing depends on each individual's assessment needs. Typically, testing can range from 2 to 6 hours. In order to attempt to reduce the risks that COVID-19 brings, we will likely complete all in-person testing in one day. Parent, teacher, and/or self-report questionnaires will also be sent via email to complete.

 

After the testing and observations are complete and all questionnaires have been returned, we will schedule a feedback discussion appointment 2 to 4 weeks out from that date. I will spend this time scoring the assessments, interpreting the results, and writing your integrated report. At the feedback discussion appointment, we will review your evaluation results and action plan that was developed from these results. After the feedback discussion session, you will also receive the individualized report which outlines the relevant background information, testing, and most importantly, the clinical conclusions and recommendations.

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3. What types of therapy do you provide?

 

***I am currently not accepting individual therapy or parent coaching referrals at this time.***
 

I provide both individual therapy for school-aged kids, teens, and young adults and parent coaching therapy services. Particularly in therapy for kids, it is usually necessary for parents to take an active role so that positive changes may occur and to achieve the best possible outcome for your child. This means that at different times therapy sessions may involve meeting with the parents alone, the child alone, or the entire family together.

 

While I draw on various therapeutic techniques depending on each client’s needs, I primarily use a cognitive-behavioral approach in my conceptualization and treatment throughout therapy. This approach involves examining the connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior, and how this impacts your experiences. This helps determine where to intervene in order to improve your quality of life across various settings. I also place a strong emphasis on building your strengths throughout the therapeutic process.

 

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4. How do I schedule an intake appointment?

Both psychological evaluations and therapy require an initial 60- to 90-minute intake appointment so that we can review all relevant history and get an in-depth picture of your current concerns. My client and scheduling coordinator, Charla, can help get you started with this process. Please email her at info@drtajaestrada.com.

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5. How long is your waitlist?

Evaluations: I am currently scheduling intakes for psychological evaluations within about a 3 to 4 month period. Testing is usually scheduled soon after the intake appointment, typically within 3 weeks. 

 

Post-evaluation support: I am able to schedule post-evaluation support sessions within 2-4 weeks.

 

Therapy: I am currently not accepting individual therapy or parent coaching referrals at this time.

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6. Do you take insurance?

I am not contracted with any insurance companies due to the limitations and restrictions insurance companies place on psychological services, in particular psychological evaluations. As a result, I am able to use a collaborative process to determine the best care for you or your child. However, I am able to provide an itemized invoice for all evaluations and therapy services for you to submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Please see below for a list of questions to ask your insurance provider to determine your out-of-network coverage.

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7. What questions should I ask my insurance company to see if I have out-of-network benefits?

While I do not directly bill insurance companies for my services, many clients are able to receive reimbursement of my services using their Out-of-Network benefits. Please contact your insurance company and ask them the following questions. If your insurance company would like to know my NPI number, possible diagnostic codes, or any additional information, please contact me directly.

 

These questions are also available in an editable Word document (click to download) for you to use during your call to your insurance company.

 

For Psychological Evaluations:

• Do I have Out-of-Network coverage? What are my Out-of-Network benefits?

• What is my deductible? After I meet my deductible, what percentage of the visit cost will I be reimbursed for?

• For the following CPT codes (the 5-digit numbers below): How much can I be reimbursed? Is there a limit to the number of units I can be reimbursed for? Do I have Telehealth benefits, with location 2 and modifier GT/95?

  • 90791 (intake appointment)

  • 96136 and 96137 (psychological test administration and scoring codes)

  • 96130 and 96131 (psychological evaluation services, including interpretation, report writing, and feedback appointment)

  • 96132 and 96133 (neuropsychological evaluation services, including interpretation, report writing, and feedback appointment)

 

For Therapy:

• Do I have Out of Network coverage? What are my Out of Network benefits?

• What is my deductible? After I meet my deductible, what percentage of the visit cost will I be reimbursed for?

• For the following CPT codes (the 5-digit numbers below): How much can I be reimbursed? Is there a limit to the number of units I can be reimbursed for per year? Do I have Telehealth benefits, with location 2 and modifier GT/95?

  • 90791 (intake appointment)

  • 90832 (individual therapy, 16-37 minutes)

  • 90834 (individual therapy, 38-52 minutes)

  • 90837 (individual therapy, 53 minutes and over)

  • 90846 (family therapy without the patient present, 50 minutes)

  • 90847 (family therapy with patient present, 50 minutes)

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If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to answering your questions!

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