Accepting Insurance

Question
I've been struggling over whether to succomb to taking insurance cases. What's your experience with insurance companies?

Answer
I don't take insurance cases for more than one reason:

(1) Probably the most important is the fact that confidentiality of my clients goes out the window. Since I am also a counselor and often deal with such matters as healing past abuse, depression, etc., this is pretty important in my practice.

(2) I would have to raise my prices just to get someone to handle all the paperwork.

(3) Insurance companies can put such restrictions as amount of sessions a client should have, as well as how you should take notes, fill out the forms, etc.

(4) Insurance companies and HMO's are increasingly reducing the amount you can get back for your services.

I'm aware that taking insurance expands the client base by quite a bit, but I'd rather the commitment be through the cash basis for my services. I have a pretty full practice without it, so, unless the situation changes considerably, I'll probably continue this way. I'm always glad to know of anyone who does take insurance, however, because I get asked and give referrals to other therapists who handle such cases. In no way do I infer that everyone should operate this way. I choose not to, is all.