New Clients
Your paperwork will be shared with you via our electronic health record, AdvancedMD. You will receive an email from AdvancedMD client portal with directions on how to access the paperwork.
*Please check your spam and junk mail folder if you are not receiving emails.
When requesting services you can request a specific clinician. Please note that some clinicians are either not accepting new clients or have a waitlist for new clients. Our office will reach out to you to let you know of what options are available to appointment times and available clinicians. If your requested clinician has a full case load, you may be able to be added to their waitlist.
Request an intake appointment by going to our Client Portal page and complete the screening form.
https://patientportal.advancedmd.com/154850/onlineintake
This varies based on each clinician's availability and if there is an existing waitlist. This information is found under each clinician's profile. You can access the clinician profiles on the "Our Team" page. Contact the office for more details about clinicians availability.
In your first session, you can expect your clinician to do several things:
- Review consent forms and discuss important administrative matters.
- Ask for your reasons for pursuing services at this time.
- Review your background and history by going over the intake questionnaires you submitted.
- Discuss what has and what hasn't worked in the past for you.
- Discuss what your goals are for services and how your strengths can help you in this process.
Our clinicians are experienced and trained in a variety of evidence based therapy approaches. Please refer to clinicians bio and services for more specific information.
Therapy can address a wide range of concerns. Please refer to our services page for more information.
All appointments are confidential, and our systems are all HIPPA compliant. For telehealth sessions you can ensure your confidentiality further by ensuring that you are in a private space during your appointment, or using headphones for further privacy.
Appointment availability is variable by clinician. While you may request a time frame prior to intake, we can not ensure that a clinician will have an appointment at that time. Prior to your intake, our office will inform you of your clinicians availability.
While this can vary on a case by case basis, most clinicians will meet with you for about an hour on a weekly basis.
If you must cancel an appointment, please let BHWC know as far in advance as possible but at least 24 hours (business days) in advance. A missed appointment is an appointment not cancelled the business day (Monday-Friday) during office hours (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) before the scheduled appointment time, or in the case of a Monday appointment, not cancelled by the preceding Friday.
Failure to cancel with at least 24 hours (business days) notice results in a late cancellation/no show fee of $110.00.
Our cancellation policy is effect for telehealth sessions as well.
When you are asking to have this fee waived, we reserve the right to require clients to provide documentation to verify any missed appointment or late cancellation due to illness or emergency.
Payment & Fees
Payment is expected at the time of services.
Yes, Brighter Hope accepts the following insurance in network.
Cigna- Accepted by all clinicians
Blue Cross Blue Shield- Accepted by all clinicians
John Hopkins EHP- varies by provider
Maryland Medicaid - accepted by all ABA clinicians
Optum - varies by provider
Tricare - Certified non-network provider meaning we will submit claims on your behalf and you will have a copay; varies by provider
USFHP- varies by provider
Out of Network - benefits vary by insurance plan
Self-pay - after you have paid for your services, we can provide a superbill for you to receive reimbursement
Yes, we can provide superbills for Out of Network insurance or accept private pay.
Yes, please contact the office to receive a superbill.
ABA
Yes, we are providing in home ABA sessions.
If you are using insurance, be sure to ask your carrier if in home sessions are covered. If your insurance does not cover home sessions, it would be an out of pocket expense.
Frequency of sessions changes on a case by case basis. Your BCBA will perform an assessment than make a recommendation for frequency at your feedback meeting.
Most insurance companies require an autism diagnosis in order to reimburse for ABA services. Contact your insurance company for your plans specific requirements. If you are not planning on using insurance, ABA has been proven to address a range of behavioral problems so an Autism diagnosis would not be necessary.
This will vary depending on your insurance plan. Contact your insurance company for details and requirements for ABA service reimbursement.
Testing
Our office provides the following types of testing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations
Psychological Testing - ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral/emotional concerns
While some testing is conducted in person whenever possible, testing measures will be administered virtually via telehealth and/or remotely.
This varies based on the insurance company. For the most accurate information contact your insurance company to find out coverage for your specific plan.
Testing times vary based on the type of testing and specific tests being administered, but it generally takes between 3-8 hours for the complete evaluation process. An intake interview will be conducted virtually prior to the testing session(s). Your clinician will provide an estimated length of time and whether 1 or 2 sessions will be needed. After the testing is completed, a feedback appointment will be scheduled to review results and recommendations. Please note that most testing sessions begin in the morning. It is important to get good rest the night before and eat breakfast in the morning. Talk to your clinician for more specific information.
General
The current cancellation fee is $110 for missed or late cancellations. Please give us 24-hour notice (business hours) for cancellations to avoid the cancellation fee.
You can cancel or reschedule an appointment through the patient portal, or by calling the office.
CONTACT US
In need of psychological services and live in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area?