Frequently Asked Questions

If you are ready to set up an appointment, call call one of our offices at (740) 653-6500 for Lancaster or (614) 833-6900 for Pickerington. One of our friendly clerical staff members will be happy to gather some information from you and set up your appointment. If you have insurance, be sure to have your card available when you place your call. An appointment will not be made until all necessary information has been obtained.

Prime Behavioral Health does take “self-pay” patients. Fees will be expected to be paid at the window prior to each appointment. The initial session will be $160 and individual sessions that follow will be $120-$150 depending on the code used for time spent in the session.

Prime Behavioral Health does take Medicaid patients if they are covered through State of Ohio Medicaid, UHC Community Plan or CareSource. We currently do not accept the plans through Buckeye, Molina or Paramount.

We will do our best to get an appointment for you with a therapist that is on your insurance panel just as soon as we can. However, there are times when our entire practice is full or specific therapists may put a hold on new clients so that we may serve our existing clients better. We will let you know what to expect when you give us a call.

If you are looking for a doctor that can prescribe medications, then you need a psychiatrist. Prime Behavioral Health does not currently have a psychiatrist on staff in our office. However, if you feel that talking with a counselor could help you with a wide variety of issues (i.e. behavioral modification, addictions, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, parenting, and many more), then we are here and ready to help.

The initial session will last approximately 60 minutes. After that, most sessions will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Depending on your schedule and your therapist’s schedule, you will often be scheduled once per week for the first several appointments. This also depends on your desire and financial situation. After that, the frequency of visits will depend on your individual needs and progress. Each case is individual and there are no set rules other than what your insurance policy may dictate. Feel free to discuss the frequency of your visits with your therapist at any time.

If you have insurance, you may find out what your coverage is by calling the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card. Let the representative know that you need to know your “outpatient mental health benefits” for an office visit with a counselor. You will find out if a deductible applies, whether you have a co-pay or co-insurance, and how many sessions are covered by your policy for each year. Because every policy is different Prime Behavioral Health is not able to quote exact costs to you over the phone. We will let you know at your visit what we will be expecting from you based on what benefits are quoted to us, however, this is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. If you need to know this information prior to your first visit, please call your insurance company so that you are informed prior to scheduling with Prime Behavioral Health.

All co-pays are due at the window at the time of your appointment. Prime Behavioral Health also makes a practice of asking for payment toward deductibles and/or co-insurance if they apply. Since many of our clients have weekly sessions, this allows them to stay caught up on their bill. Otherwise, it often makes it difficult for clients to have to pay for several sessions at one time if they are only billed once per month after claims are processed through insurance companies. We do access services through a local collections agency for delinquent accounts.

Since all insurance claims may only be billed under the name of one patient, we must have an “identified client”. Either spouse may call to make the appointment, but he/she will be the one under whose name the chart will be made. That identified person will be the one to make and/or cancel appointments, etc. If an authorization is required by your insurance policy, the authorization will be in the “identified client’s” name. Spouses may come together for sessions.

All therapists at Prime Behavioral Health have a master’s degree or higher. They are all independently licensed in the State of Ohio, and have many years of experience. They are licensed as either an LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) or LPCC/PCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor).

Prime Behavioral Health has therapists who can see anyone age 5 or above although not all counselors see all ages.

All minors must have a parent or legal guardian at the first visit. After that, children/minors may be seen without a parent or guardian. Depending on the age of the child and/or the issues beings treated, the therapist may or may not have you in every session. Often, the therapist will meet with a parent/guardian for part of each session for younger children. However, adolescent clients may be seen many times without parental involvement in the sessions. Again, this depends on the requests of the client, parents, therapists, and the needs of the case. Parents are always welcome to request a session or time during their child’s session if they feel it is necessary. It is not our desire to leave parents or guardians out of the process.