Merritt M. Jensen, Ph.D.
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Comprehensive Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new families? Do you have after-school, evening or weekend hours?
As of February 2023, I am limited in the number of new families I can welcome to the practice, with most after-school hours (3-6PM) being booked at this time. Daytime "during school hours" (8AM-3PM) appointment times may be more readily available. Please be sure to mention if you are available during "school" hours, as it will increase my ability to be helpful to you and your family. I wish I could create more after-school hours in the day!
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Main Line Pediatric Psychology does not offer evening or weekend hours.
Do you accept my insurance?
Main Line Pediatric Psychology is considered an out-of-network provider, and we are unable to accept insurance or to file claims. A receipt for payment will be provided after payment at each visit, which in turn may be used to submit to your insurance, HSA or FSA plans. A Superbill can also be generated monthly, upon request, to use for submission to your insurance company.
Please contact your health insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network telehealth/video visit behavioral health service coverage and reimbursement rates.
How and when will I pay for services? Will you send me a bill? Do you accept electronic payments or credit cards?
Full payment is expected at the time of service, and Main Line Pediatric Psychology is unable to bill families for payment at a later date.
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Payments may be made at either the beginning or end of each session. We currently accept cash or check, and Venmo (@MLPP_Merritt_Jensen_PhD) . Credit cards are also accepted (3% upcharge to cover third-party processing fees - sigh.) Please make checks payable to Merritt M. Jensen, Ph.D. - MLPP. A receipt for service will be provided at each visit after payment has been received, if desired. A Superbill to be used for insurance reimbursement can also be provided monthly, upon request.
What is the No Surprises Act?
The No Surprises Act protects families from receiving unexpected medical bills. Prior to working with Main Line Pediatric Psychology, anticipated services and associated fees will be discussed in detail, so you will know before we begin how much you can expect to spend. Please feel free to ask questions - no surprises here! To learn more about the No Surprises act, please follow this link: No Suprises: Understand your rights against surprise medical bills (cms.gov)
What happens if I need to cancel my appointment?
Life happens! If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, kindly give as much notice as possible (minimum 48 hours) so your appointment time may be offered to another family.
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Appointments must be cancelled within 48 hours to avoid being billed for the missed session. For example, if your appointment is for 2:00PM on Monday, cancellation would need to be received by 2:00PM on Saturday to avoid cancellation fees. Cancellations within 48 hours will be charged the full session rate.
How long does each therapy session take? Why is a "therapy hour" not 60 minutes?
A session runs a commonly used "therapy hour" - about 50 minutes each session.
We will meet directly for about 50 minutes. The balance of the hour is used for preparing for our visit, as well as a printing receipt for payment and for HIPAA-secured documentation.
But what if I need more time?
Families are welcome to request longer appointments if desired, adding length in 15 minute increments beyond the first hour. Session fees will be adjusted to account for the additional time, and the sessions will still include the indirect service time built into the initial therapy hour.
How is the first session different than follow-up visits?
Consultation visits ("First Visits") are 80 minutes in length. While longer than follow-up visits, families often tell me the first visit will feels like time flies! It's also not unusual for us to run out of time just when it feels like we're getting started!
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The goal of our first visit is for me to learn more about your family, and how you're hoping I might be helpful. We will also need to take care of some logistics like making sure consent forms are signed and that initial paperwork has been completed.
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​To help make the most of our first visit, initial paperwork will be sent to you via email ahead of the visit. Please take the time to complete it and to return it prior to our first visit so I have time to review it and we can start talking about important details quickly.
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Thinking about what you would like to discuss, and even prioritizing the topics or concerns you would like to cover will ensure we use our time together as efficiently as possible. Many of my families find writing their concerns and questions down prior to our appointment is a helpful way to be sure nothing is forgotten during our first visit.
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The first visit is also a time for you to check me out, to see how I work and to decide if our working together is a good fit for you and your family. I look forward to meeting!
Can we meet in person?
At this time, Main Line Pediatric Psychology is a telehealth-exclusive practice and is not scheduling in-person visits. All visits with Dr. Jensen will be held using secure telehealth video or phone.
Can you call my child's teacher? Physician? Another therapist?
I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals working with you to provide the best care possible for your child and your family. A release of information will need to be signed prior to these conversations happening, including discussing what you would/would not like disclosed about your child's care. Please bring the other professionals' contact information with you to our session and we will complete the release together.
What if I need to talk to you before our next session?
To ensure confidentiality and continuity of care, please limit requests for conversations between sessions to administrative topics (e.g., scheduling or cancelling a session, sending contact information for a teacher or therapist, returning consent or release of information forms.) While it will be tempting for both of us to want to start chatting (via phone, email) about things we're working on together, I want to be sure to provide your child and family with the highest quality care, as well as ensure your privacy is protected at all times. If a longer conversation is needed between sessions, I'm happy to schedule a phone session, schedule permitting, to be billed in 30 minute increments of the regular hourly rate.
What if I need forms filled out, letters written or other documentation?
Please bring any paperwork requiring attention to your next scheduled session, and we will use our time together to complete the required documentation. If a letter is needed (e.g., requesting a 504 Plan or IEP for school), we will create this document during our time together. This ensures you have input into the document and that it's completed in a timely fashion to your satisfaction. If forms or letters are required prior to our next scheduled visit, I am happy to complete them if I am able, schedule permitting. Please know that time to complete the form will be billed at our hourly session rate, billed in 15 minute increments, to ensure all services outside of a therapeutic setting receive the same care attention they deserve.
You didn't answer my question? How can I find the answer?
Every question is important, and I want families to feel confident in their decision for us to work together. If you have quesitons not answered here, please feel free to send your question through the "contact me" page, or send your email directly to info@mainlinepedpsych.com.
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I thank you in advance for your patience as I respond to each phone call/email with the thought and attention it deserves as space becomes available in the practice.
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If you are experiencing safety-related mental health concerns requiring immediate attention, please DO NOT use the contact button above, as you will not receive immediate care. Instead, please call 911, 988, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) via phone or live chat.
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