Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect at my first visit?
This will vary, but generally, at your first appointment your practitioner will answer any additional questions you might have and will explain the process. They will verify your information and will use the time to better understand you and what you are seeking from your service.
Why don't you accept insurance?
At Open Water Wellness, we believe your healing journey deserves to be personal, private, and free from unnecessary limitations.
By choosing a self-pay model, we’re able to offer you the highest level of care without interference from insurance companies or political shifts that increasingly restrict mental health support. We are not bound by session limits, diagnoses-for-reimbursement, or standardized treatment plans that don’t honor your individual needs.
Self-pay allows you:
-
Total privacy—your mental health records remain fully confidential and never shared with third parties.
-
More freedom—we can tailor your care without having to “prove” your progress to insurers.
-
More control—you choose the pace, frequency, and type of support that’s right for you.
This model also honors the truth that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s nuanced, it’s non-linear, and it shouldn’t be shaped by policies written in boardrooms. You deserve care that sees you, not a claim number.
What are Out-of-Network benefits and how can I access them?
While we don’t bill insurance directly, many of our clients are still able to receive partial reimbursement for their sessions through their out-of-network benefits.
If you have a PPO or POS plan, your insurance company may reimburse you for a portion of your session fees. This means you can still invest in high-quality, personalized care—and get something back for it.
Here’s how it works:
-
You pay us directly at the time of service.
-
We provide a superbill (a special receipt with all the info your insurance needs).
-
You submit the superbill to your insurance company.
-
They reimburse you according to your out-of-network mental health benefits.
What is your cancelation policy?
Each practitioner sets their own cancellation policy. Typically, we request 24 hours notice of cancellation or the client is responsible for the total cost of the session. We ask that you speak with your individual practitioner about their cancellation policy and always give as much notice as possible.
​
*Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate*
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to offer patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
