In scheduling and preparing for your first appointment, you will probably have many questions. Here you will find the answers to questions people commonly ask. Of course, if you don’t see what you need, feel free to contact YFC’s Intake Team at (847) 748-0301.
Fees and Insurance
We are in-network with most major insurance plans.
If YFC is an out-of-network provider or your provider is not empaneled in your health insurance network, YFC will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate for the cost of your treatment at YFC.
For clients who are uninsured and experiencing financial need, we offer a sliding fee scale (fee subsidies) based on household income and family size. When you call to inquire about counseling services, please discuss your financial situation with our Intake Team to determine your eligibility.
The Good Faith Estimate shows the out-of-pocket costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for the treatment received through YFC for clients not insured or not utilizing insurance.
The estimate is based on information known at the time it was created. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur.
NOTE: If you are billed for more than the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Payment is expected at the time of service, unless other arrangements are made with your therapist. (Our billing service will submit claims to your insurance carrier on your behalf.)
My First Visit
Our New Client Coordinator will respond to your request for counseling within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Often we can schedule your first appointment within several business days of your call, depending on your availability. The more flexible your schedule, the more readily we will be able to offer you an appointment time. We offer daytime and limited evening and Saturday appointments.
We have a New Client Registration Packet in English or Spanish that you can download and print at home. Filling out the forms before you arrive at our office will save time at your first appointment. If you are not able to complete the forms at home, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment to complete the paperwork.
If you have completed the New Client Registration Packet at home, be sure to bring it with you. Other than that, all you need to bring is your insurance card and photo ID.
Each counseling session lasts 45 to 50 minutes. Your first session is really a time to talk about your needs and how counseling can address them. Typically you will schedule your second session with your counselor toward the end of your first appointment.
Ongoing Counseling
When you schedule an appointment with your counselor, he or she sets aside a full hour of time for you – the time you spend together in the session, plus time to fill out notes and paperwork on your behalf. Because of this large time commitment, we require that you contact your therapist 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
You will be charged for missed appointments and late cancellations. For insured and full-fee clients, the missed session or late cancellation charge is $80. Clients whose services are on the sliding fee scale will be charged $80 or their sliding scale fee, whichever is less. Your therapist may choose to make an exception to this policy depending on the specific situation.
The length of treatment depends on the nature of the issues to be addressed and individual client needs and preferences. Your therapist will work with you to provide the right number of sessions to address your personal goals.
YFC counselors are not licensed to prescribe medication. When medication could be helpful in addressing your symptoms and issues, our therapists will provide referrals to psychiatrists (medical doctors) who can prescribe appropriate medications.