Kaiser Behavioral Health for therapy (cross posted with H. Care)

[Anonymous]

Kaiser now does work with outside providers for therapy, which seemed promising.

But has anyone had any luck getting an in-person appointment in northern Virginia? I found one provider that’s a half hour away. The rest are all virtual.

I get the appeal of virtual therapy for both therapist and client, but I think with a child it would be better to at least start off in person.

[Anonymous]

A few years ago we were able to get reimbursed by Kaiser for a therapist that wasn't on their list (because we showed that we needed a therapist with a particular specialty for our kid's condition.

We had to get it approved ahead of time by calling the Behavioral Health Utilization line. I don't know if this is still the correct number but at the time it was 301-552-1212. It is worth a try.

[Anonymous]

If you are not looking for the insurance to be billed directly (ok with paying up front and submitting to Kaiser for reimbursement), I suggest contacting the Counseling Center Group. 301-742-2282. Full disclosure. I worked for them in the past. They usually have in-person availability in Arlington and I believe they’ve expanded to an office in Alexandria. They are all masters level therapists though, if that matters to you. Another option is the Ross Center which has a Va office (and clinical psychologists). I personally used them a few years ago in DC and was happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are not looking for the insurance to be billed directly (ok with paying up front and submitting to Kaiser for reimbursement), I suggest contacting the Counseling Center Group. 301-742-2282. Full disclosure. I worked for them in the past. They usually have in-person availability in Arlington and I believe they’ve expanded to an office in Alexandria. They are all masters level therapists though, if that matters to you. Another option is the Ross Center which has a Va office (and clinical psychologists). I personally used them a few years ago in DC and was happy.

Wanted to clarify. I used them for 2 of my kids - they were elementary - middle school at the time.

[Anonymous]

Ive received reimbursement as well. Like an above poster if they can't provide the right therapist per your psychiatrist, you can get reimbursement as long as it is approved in advance. You pay and then submit

[Anonymous]

Thank you all! This is very helpful.
-OP

[Anonymous]

We started using it for my 7 year old and it’s been working well. He was much more engaged than I thought.

[Anonymous]

I have had zero luck for my 8 year old. Virtual was a disaster. They kept saying use this app to find someone. EVERYONE is virtual even the one I found in person that when I messaged said oops I'm only virtual. We now have an autism diagnosis and are approved for aba no idea how long of a wait list this will be and seems overly intense to me but it is at least in person. Sigh... good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ive received reimbursement as well. Like an above poster if they can't provide the right therapist per your psychiatrist, you can get reimbursement as long as it is approved in advance. You pay and then submit

Can you give some more details about how this worked? Was it a Kaiser psychiatrist with the recommendation? What was the issue/type of therapy? Could you just pick any therapist or was there a list? How long did approval take?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ive received reimbursement as well. Like an above poster if they can't provide the right therapist per your psychiatrist, you can get reimbursement as long as it is approved in advance. You pay and then submit

Can you give some more details about how this worked? Was it a Kaiser psychiatrist with the recommendation? What was the issue/type of therapy? Could you just pick any therapist or was there a list? How long did approval take?

I am the first PP that mentioned doing this.

We sought treatment for a relatively rare type of anxiety that presents in young children. Kaiser put us on a wait-list for a program that was similar to evidence based treatment for this specific condition. After a year on the wait-list we were finally called and the therapist admitted they weren't trained in this specific condition. Therapist gave me the number for the Behavioral Health Utilization Unit. When I called, they very quickly pre-approved our use of a therapist who specializes in the condition. Not a Kaiser therapist, not a therapist on Kaiser's list. Actually a therapist that doesn't take insurance. They reimbursed us for all of it minus our standard copay.