Frequently Asked Questions

I am in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. I will file the necessary paperwork with your insurer and you will be required to pay the copay and any payments towards deductibles as determined by your insurance policy prior to the beginning of each session. Please be aware that some, perhaps all, of my services may not be covered by your policy. In the event that any of my services are not paid by your insurer, you will be financially responsible for them. See my Insurance Information form.

If you have insurance from another provider, you may want to call that insurer and ask about out-of-network coverage and how you can access possible benefits. Please see “HOW CAN I GET REIMBURSEMENT FROM MY INSURANCE,” below.

I am in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. I will file your claims for you if you have insurance with one of the BCBS companies. If you have another insurer, payment will be due prior to sessions but, you may see if they will reimburse you for all or part of the fees. Please be aware that you are responsible for filing the necessary documentation for this reimbursement. I will provide any information you may need in order to file. Also, please note that for these insurers, you are responsible for payment of rates charged by me regardless of your insurance company’s arbitrary determination of “usual” and/or “customary” rates.

To see if your insurer will reimburse you, you will need to call them. The number is usually located on the back of your insurance card or on their website. When you call, they will want some information from you. Be prepared to give them: 

• The full name of the insured (located on the card) 

• The date of birth of the insured (the person named on the card)

• The Member ID (located on the card)

• The Group Number (located on the card)

• Provider Name: Daniel J. Sullivan, PsyD

• Provider Address: 4 Office Park Circle, Suite 214A, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

• Provider Telephone: 205-335-0691

• Provider Fax Number: 205-941-8074

• Provider NPI Number: 1104996545

• Provider Tax ID Number: 83-2190799

When you call your insurer, tell them you would like to speak to someone about out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services. Be sure to ask about:

• Deductibles

• Copayments

• Reimbursement rates for specific appointment types (see CPT codes below)

• Documentation needed

• Time limits for filing for reimbursement

• Address to send documentation

• Session limits and any other limits on coverage

Insurers reimburse based on CPT codes used to classify the services rendered. There are three main CPT codes I use for individual psychotherapy:

• 90791 – Initial Assessment / Appointment 

• 90834 – 45-minute Psychotherapy Appointment (38-52 minutes with client) 

• 90837 – 60-minute Psychotherapy Appointment (at least 53 minutes with client)

The fee for an initial consultation (60 minutes) is $200. Subsequent visits will either be 45 minutes ($175) or 60 minutes ($200) as determined by your needs and the treatment plan we develop together. Longer or shorter visits may be scheduled at times and will be charged at the rate of $175 for a 45-minute session. (e.g., a 30-minute session would be 2/3 of 45 minutes, therefore 2/3 of $175.00 or $115.50.)

Telephone consultations and written communications with you, or on your behalf, will be billed at a rate consistent with services for therapy.

Letter requests will be billed at a rate of $200 per hour to write letter. Most letters would not take more than an hour to write.

Court appearances, depositions, or the provision of documents for any attorney or for the court will be billed at a rate of $350 per hour and will include preparation, consultation, and travel time. You will be required to pay in advance or pay a retainer before a court appearance or deposition can proceed. Insurance does not cover these services.

For more information, read my Financial Policy form.

Payment is due at the time of service. You may use a credit card, flexible spending account, check or cash to pay for services.

Your treatment is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws. See my Notice of Privacy Practices form. We can discuss this in more detail upon request.

Briefly, your information is kept confidential with a few exceptions:

• Some information may be shared with your insurer (if you are using insurance to help pay for treatment) per your contract with them.

• Some information may be shared with other health providers for coordination of your care.

• Information regarding imminent physical harm to yourself or others will be shared in an attempt to avoid that danger from happening.

• I am required by law to report to the appropriate agencies the abuse of children, elderly, and adults who cannot take care of themselves.

• I am required by law to comply with Orders from the Court. This very rarely happens and is usually related to child custody.

E-mail and text messages are not always secure forms of communications. If you choose to receive appointment reminders or communicate with me in this manner, you will be asked to sign a release.

Your scheduled office appointment is time specifically set aside for you. If you are unable to keep an appointment for any reason, you must cancel it at least 24 hours prior to the appointment time or you will be charged the full fee unless I find someone to take the appointment. If I am able to find someone to take your appointment time, I will not charge you. The cancellation/no show fee is not a fine but rather allows for you to bear the cost for the missed time.

I do not provide after-hours emergency or crisis services. If you are trying to reach me after hours, you can leave a confidential voicemail message at 205-335-0691 and I’ll get back to you the following business day. If you have a crisis or are actively experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or text the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing the three digit code 988, Crisis Center Birmingham at 205-323-7777, or go to your nearest emergency room.

Yes, I provide psychotherapy through HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. I am licensed through the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to work with people in the particpating states. Click here to see which states are particpating.