Frequently asked questions

                                                                                 (But you can ask us anything ....)

Do you accept health insurance?

Yes!

Dr. Brotz is in-network with the following insurance companies. If you are an out of network patient, we will happily provide you with a superbill and assist you in filing for and requesting reimbursement from your insurance company. 

Aetna          

Aetna Student Health Plan                                                                     

Blue Cross / Blue Shield (Various plans)

Carelon                                                                            

Cigna                                                                                

Compsych                                                                        

Emblem Health                                                                

Ever North                                                                        

Fidelis                                                                                

Health First

Highmark WNY                                                                                              

Humana                                                             

Independent Heath  

Kaiser Permanente                              

Medicaid                            

Medicare    

Tricare

Optum

UMR

Univera

United Healthcare

VA Community Care                                                                        

 

Are Custody Evaluations, Parental Risk Assessments, and Fitness for Duty Evaluations covered by my health insurance?

These types of evaluations are not seen as medically necessary and, therefore, are not covered by most health plans. 

 

How much will these types of evaluations cost if not covered by my health plan?

The cost is dependent on the individual case and your personal circumstances. The best way to determine cost is for us to briefly discuss your case and then I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate which will outline your anticipated costs.

 

Do you offer any payment plans?

Absolutely! We understand that everyone’s financial circumstances are different, and we firmly believe that no one should have to forgo services due to financial reasons. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payment plans, however, we are happy to work with you to develop a payment plan that works for you and your budget.

 

Where are you located?

We are located in Erie County, New York – about 10 minutes outside of the Buffalo area, however, Telehealth allows us to provide services STATEWIDE regardless of where you live!

What makes you different from other psychologists?

Our services differ from other providers in that we only provide evaluative and diagnostic services and no do not offer traditional therapy. However, if you are looking for traditional therapy we can still help!  Here’s how … Most of the time when you see a therapist they are not always sure what the root issues are, what the person’s actual diagnosis is, or even what they should be working on in the first place. We take the “guess work” out of everything.

 Here’s how it works - We would meet for 2 appointments in order to conduct a clinical diagnostic interview and psychological, personality, and possibly other forms of testing. This allows us to determine exactly what is going on with the individual, identify the core issues, and formulate a diagnosis. We then develop a detailed report which includes highly personalized treatment plan and guide that outlines exactly what therapy should look like for you and what will achieve the best outcomes in the shortest time span. All of our recommendations are data driven and based on empirical evidence which integrates the best available clinical evidence from systematic research with a practitioner's clinical expertise and the patient's preferences. This process does not happen in traditional therapy, and most therapists tend to GUESS what they should be working on with their patients.  

 Once this is completed, we would  meet with you to review the results and provide you with a list of therapists in your area who have specialized skills and training with the things you need assistance with.  One thing I have learned over the years is that not all therapists are created equal, which is why I have a core group of skilled therapists who I refer to regularly.

 The other difference with my practice is that I will come to your home instead of making you come to a stuffy office. Kids (and even adults sometimes) tend to be more comfortable in their own space and we get much better results this way when working with children.  In many cases there is no additional charge for in home visits!

 

How long do diagnostic evaluations take?

Most evaluations and testing can be completed in 2 extended length sessions.

 

You mentioned you provide services via Telehealth. I’m not sure that will work well for my child. Are there any other options?

Yes. You can be seen in office, or we will even come to you! We have found that children respond better and are more engaged when they are in a familiar environment such as their own home instead of an unfamiliar, stuffy office.  There is no charge for travel within 25 miles of the office. If you live further away, we will happily provide you with the cost for out of county travel.

 

What forms of payment do you accept?

  • Cash                                                         Bank check
  • Personal check                                        Zelle
  • Credit / Debit card                                   PayPal
  • Venmo                                                       Google Pay
  • Apple Pay                                                 Money Order

 

How do I get to work with your therapy dog?

Please let us know if you are interested in working with our therapy dog (Moo). There are no additional charges or fees associated with his services as he is paid solely in hugs, kisses, and lots of love! (Along with the occasional treat 😉).