Sliding Scale Policy

I believe that access to quality mental healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. While this practice is a business, it is first and foremost a values-driven organization committed to equity, accessibility, decolonization, transparency and intersectionality. In alignment with these values and practices, I am able to offer a limited number of reduced fee, sliding scale agreements based on an identified need, not income verification.

Sliding scale agreements are available to clients who are:

  • experiencing financial hardship

  • member of a marginalized community

  • lack of adequate insurance coverage

  • find themselves in a transitional period of life (loss of income/insurance/employment, housing insecure, seeking asylum/refuge/safety, excommunicated/shunned, etc.)

Eligibility and fee structure is determined on a case-by-case basis in a collaborative discourse, rooted in honesty, good faith and dignity, around current financial barriers to accessing quality, affirming care. Each agreement is subjected to periodic review every six months, though clients are trusted to inform their therapist if their financial situation changes. Continued access to sliding scale services may be adjusted accordingly to allow equitable services to others with similar need.

Sliding scale agreement limitations:

  • Reduced rate, sliding scale spots are limited and not guaranteed.

  • Toni Principe LICSW, PLLC reserves the right to prioritize access for individuals who hold marginalized identities or face systemic barriers to care.

Good Faith Estimate

If you do not have health insurance or elect to not use your insurance, healthcare providers are required to provide you an estimate of expected charges when you schedule an appointment or enroll in services.

Things to note:

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your therapy will cost!

  • The estimate is provided after you schedule your appointment, no later than 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a session or ask for cost information at least 10 days prior to your scheduled appointment, your Good Faith Estimate will be provided to you no later than three business days after scheduling.

  • The estimate will include the total expected cost of services at an annual rate.

  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the charge.

You can request a written Good Faith Estimate at any time. Just let me know you would like one and I will submit it through the SimplePractice Client Portal for your review!

For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.