| Fowler C. Jones, Ed.D.
I’d like to let you know a bit about myself. I am a Licensed Psychologist/Health Care Provider. I received my doctorate degree (Ed.D.) from the University of Kansas in 1974. I also hold a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Missouri, which I received in 1967. My additional credentials include being certified as a Diplomate by the American Association of Medical Psychotherapists, and in the past I was named a Consultant by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. I am trained to work with children, adolescents and adults. I had four years of multi-disciplinary training at the University of Kansas Medical School, where I received clinical supervision and training from psychologists and psychiatrists with the Department of Psychiatry and with the Children’s Rehabilitation Unit. For more than twenty-five years I was an active faculty member at the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, where I still hold the rank of Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Division of Psychology). I have earned special board certifications and affiliations demonstrating continuing education and professional excellence, including Diplomate status with the American Association of Medical Psychotherapists, as well as highest recognition given (Consultant) from the American Society of Hypnosis. I am licensed by the State of Missouri in the private practice of psychology, and am further certified as a Psychological Health Care Provider. Approach: My approach to psychotherapy varies with the problems presented and the needs of my clients. I use an insight-oriented, developmental approach to psychotherapy, but I do not hesitate to apply cognitive therapy techniques and behavioral therapy when needed. Neurotherapy (EEG biofeedback) and hypnosis are also useful tools that I employ, depending on the needs of the client. Freedom of Choice: My treatment techniques are interactive, as I believe that the cornerstone of effective treatment is a partnership between the client and practitioner. An individual seeking treatment and/or assessment has the right to know about the procedure(s) to help plan treatment goals that best suit their needs. It is important to be an informed and knowledgeable client, and it is appropriate to ask questions about your psychologist, his therapeutic approach and your questions at all times. Confidentiality: All issues discussed in the course of therapy are strictly confidential and protected as part of the doctor/client relationship. By law, information concerning treatment or evaluation may be released only with the client’s written consent, or in the case of minors, with the written consent of their parent or legal guardian. There are a few exceptions to this policy as follows: The law requires release of information in three situations: suspected child abuse, suicidal behavior, and threatened harm to another. In certain circumstances, treatment records can be obtained by the courts with a lawful subpoena. Any release of confidential information will be discussed with you. By law, I must keep a written record of the services provided to you. You may ask to see your record if you desire, and a time will be arranged for you to review your record at the earliest convenience. If you disagree with something in the record you may ask for a correction or amendment of that information and you may submit your own statement to be included in the record, discussing any information which you feel is in error. It has never been my practice to make details concerning a client’s treatment available to health insurance carriers, except as is absolutely necessary to facilitate processing of claims. Typically such disclosures involve the use of diagnosis codes and treatment codes, and it has usually not been necessary to provide more detailed information to insurers. With the advent of managed health care, insurers have become more demanding insofar as the nature and scope of the information they demand in connection with their processing of claims submitted to them. Usually, their inquiries can be addressed by providing routine information, however, there may be occasions when an insurer requests a narrative report outlining a client’s diagnosis and treatment. Excepts from the clinical record are sometimes provided to the insurer, only to the extent to which they are required to explain a particular diagnoses or outline a treatment plan. In a very technical sense, client confidentiality is compromised when a third-party such as an insurer or managed-care administrator is furnished information concerning a client’s treatment. My duty to not disclose confidential information is then extended to the insurer, such that the insurer is prohibited from making further disclosure of information without your written consent. Additional information pertaining to your insurance is covered separately in this letter. Finally, in those instances where a client’s account becomes seriously delinquent, referral to a collection agency may occur, and as such, basic account information will be furnished to the agency to facilitate debt collection. Lastly, it is my policy to never discuss an adult client’s treatment with your spouse, family members or friends without first obtaining your permission to do so. Telephone inquiries from concerned parties, no matter how well intentioned, will be politely refused in order to protect your right of privacy in the matters which we discuss in the course of therapy. Ethics and Professional Standards: As a licensed psychologist and as a member of the Missouri State Psychological Association, I am accountable for my work with you. If you have concerns about your evaluation or treatment, please discuss them with me. Emergency Calls: The office telephones are answered by our staff during normal business hours. After hours, on weekends and holidays, call to the office are answered by our answering service. If you have an after-hours psychological emergency, the service will make an effort to reach me so that I can return your call. In the even that I cannot be reached by the service, please go to the nearest hospital’s emergency room. Fees: Your portion of the fee is collected at the time of service. If you are not using insurance, you will be responsible for the full fee. If you are not comfortable with the full fee, please discuss this with me personally. I may be able to offer a reduced fee according to your financial circumstances. Our office staff will contact your insurance company and obtain an estimate of your portion of the fee. Please be aware that this is only an estimate, and we are required to accept the written Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company as the final determination of benefits. It is important to know that you are ultimately responsible for any fees not paid by your insurance company. You, not your insurance company, will be charged the full fee from appointments missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice. The fee for professional time spent in therapy, consultation or evaluation is $110.00 per session. Additional charges apply for:
Please remember that your health insurance coverage is a legal agreement between you and your insurance company and is governed by the terms and conditions of the policy itself. Our office will make every effort to assist you with insurance matters, however, the client is ultimately responsible for payment of fees, regardless of any insurance coverage which may apply. Managed Care: As a consumer of health care, I would like you to be fully informed about the constraints which may apply to your mental health benefits under managed care. Also, I would like you to be aware of my concerns regarding the effects of managed care on outpatient treatment. As a psychologist, my concern is that you are a part of the decision-making process in deciding value against cost, and that this important decision not be left solely to the managed care company. Psychotherapy is a very special relationship between client and therapist, and the nature of this relationship is central to the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Trust and freedom from judgment are major tenants in the development of this relationship. This means confidentiality is necessary for this relationship, and that the information divulged in the course of therapy cannot be released or shared with others without your written permission. Potentially, a breach of client confidentiality can develop when the therapist is called upon by a managed care company to justify the path or course of treatment. The process of the insurer determining the “Medical Necessity” of treatment rendered is called Utilization Review. Such reviews are conducted by the insurer on varying schedules, and may include review of the confidential clinical record by personnel who are employed by the insurer for such purposes. When the therapist is required to address these issues with the managed care company, the duty to protect the confidential nature of information divulged during treatment is transferred from the therapist to the managed care company. For example, the insurer or managed care firm cannot make further disclosure of this information without your written permission. Our office will make every effort to provide only that information which is essential for the insurer to administer their managed care programs, and for which the insurer possesses a valid written authorization from you permitting the release of such material. Aside from the obvious concerns relating to the confidential nature of the treatment record, it is very important that you understand what your mental health benefits under managed care involve:
The answers to all of these questions are usually covered in your health plan booklet, HMO or PPO plan description. As an informed consumer of health care services, you should review this material at least annually, as many insurance carriers may change the terms and conditions of their coverage or plans from year to year. If your plan description does not clearly define your health care benefits, please discuss them with your insurer, managed care company, or employee benefits administrator. Additional Information: I have tried to address some of the more common issues relating to doctor/client relationship here. Naturally, there will be particulars which were not covered by which by nature do not pertain to all clients. Please feel free to raise questions as frequently as necessary so that you have a clear understanding of the evaluation and treatment processes as they pertain to your needs. Thank you for selecting me to provide psychological services. I look forward to your questions and comments. Very truly yours. Fowler C. Jones, Ed.D. |