How do I make an appointment with Samaritan?
Making appointments with Samaritan Counseling Services is very easy. All that you need to do is call (734) 677-0609 and press "0" to speak to an intake specialist. That specialist will spend about 5 to 10 minutes with you on the phone asking for specific information including your presenting problem in seeking help. Once all the information is registered, the specialist will set up an appointment time with a therapist suited to fit your particular need.
How long will I have to wait for my first appointment?
Clients are generally seen within 24 to 48 hours from the time they call for an appointment depending on the urgency of their issues. If you need to be seen more quickly, please tell the intake specialist and you will be scheduled as soon as possible. If you want to see a specific therapist and they do not have any openings at the time you call, you may be placed on a waiting list, unless you would like to see another therapist.
Samaritan Counseling Services and most of its therapists are in-network providers for most popular insurances, such as: BCBS PPO, Messa, Blue Care Network, and MPremier Care. Currently, Samaritan does not bill for Care Choices or HAP insurance. When you call to register, the intake specialist will verify your insurance coverage with your insurance company.
First, you will need to determine whether or not your insurance plan has mental health benefits available. This can be found out by contacting your benefits representative or by calling your insurance company directly. Additionally, you can get a list of in-network providers for your specific plan from your benefits representative or insurance company. If Samaritan is not in-network for your insurance plan, but you have mental health benefits available, we can still bill your insurance as an out-of-network provider. The payable rates for an out-of-network provider are more than in-network; However, many people who come to Samaritan do so because of our valued reputation in the community, and don't mind paying the extra out-of-network cost.
If I can't pay full price for the sessions I need, can Samaritan help me?
Samaritan has a fee-assistance program thanks to contributions from our community churches, concerned citizens, corporate sponsors, contributing foundations and community service groups. The fee-assistance program is based on your annual household income and number of dependents. If your annual household income is less than $50,000, you may be eligible for a reduced cost. To find out if you are eligible for fee-assistance, please fill out a fee-assistance application and provide income documentation. To get an application please call (734) 677-0609 and press "0" to speak with an intake specialist.
I have insurance, but can't afford the co-pay, can Samaritan help?
No. Presently the fee-assistance program is only available for those who have no insurance.
Can I pay for my sessions with a credit or debit card?
Samaritan will gladly accept your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card. Debit cards are also accepted, as long as they have a Visa or MasterCard logo. If you would like to pay for your sessions using automatic debit from your card, then you will need to ask your therapist how to sign up for that at your first appointment. Once you are signed up for automatic debit, you will not need to pay at the Administrative Office window or pay your therapist because it will be done automatically for you.
Everyone in my family needs therapy, do we have to see different therapists?
Depending on the issues you are being seen for and the therapist seeing you, you and your family may be seen by the same counselor as individuals and/or as a group. In some cases, a therapist may decide that it is best to refer other members of your family, who need individual treatment, to another therapist. Treatment is customized for every family or individual that comes to Samaritan. So, determining treatment options will be discussed more intimately with your therapist during your first or second appointment.
Is everything that I say to a therapist confidential?
Absolutely! Samaritan Counseling Services is a HIPAA compliant center and all information shared with your therapist is held in strictest confidence. Samaritan therapists are supervised by a staff psychiatrist and clinical psychologist, so that information may be shared internally for supervision and consultation purposes, to insure the best possible care for you. No information is released to anyone without your written permission to do so. The only exceptions to this would be if the courts ordered the release of records pertaining to your treatment, or if you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else. If Samaritan had to turn over subpoenaed records, you would be notified of that situation. In the case of an emergency, your safety or the safety of others involved would be of primary importance. Information released would be only that which is necessary to insure the safety of those at risk.
What happens if I bounce a check?
If a check is returned to Samaritan for insufficient funds, you will be charged back the amount of that check plus a $30 returned check charge. After two returned checks, for insufficient funds, your personal checks will no longer be accepted and you will be seen on a cash only basis for 6 months.
What happens if I have to miss or cancel a scheduled session?
Please call your therapist and give them at least a 24-hour notice or you may be charged the full fee for the session. Insurances do not cover missed or cancelled sessions.
Can I get a monthly statement?
Yes. But due to their expense, statements are not sent out automatically. If you would like to receive a statement, please call our administrative office at (734) 677-0609, press "0" and let a intake specialist know that you would like to receive a statement, and what time period you would like it for.
How can I donate money to Samaritan?
Donating to Samaritan is easy. To donate money simply make a check payable to Samaritan Counseling Services and mail it to 2890 Carpenter Road #1600, Ann Arbor MI 48108. To donate using a credit card, simply call us at (734) 677-0609, press "0" and give your information to an intake specialist, or send us your credit card information confidentially through the US Postal Service. Also, you can make regular payments with your credit card, by giving us written permission to bill your credit card for the amount you indicate on a monthly basis or other regular interval.
Instead of a direct monetary contribution, a gift of stocks, IRAs, a car, or unused property would help Samaritan. To make such a contribution, call the Administrative Office at (734) 677-0609, press "0" and ask for Bee Butcher, our Business Manager, who can help you make the proper arrangements.
You can donate other in-kind items to ISold-it! which is a local clearinghouse here in Ann Arbor for eBay. ISold-it! will list your items online on eBay and the proceeds of their sale will go to Samaritan. To find out how to use ISold-it!, call (734) 677-0609 or visit them at 869B W. Eisenhower Parkway in the Ann Arbor Colonnade Shopping Center.
Additionally, you can donate money through the internet using I-Give. I-Give is a special marketplace that, once you have registered, will attach itself to merchant websites that you may use for online purchases. I-Give has over 5,000 merchants who have promised to give between 4% and 60% of your purchased merchandise total back to Samaritan. Visit www.iGive.com to register and find out more about this valuable fundraising resource.
Finally, you can donate time to Samaritan as a volunteer. We are always looking for board members, committee members, or office volunteers. Right now Samaritan is seeking board members who specialize in law, medicine, finance, fundraising, and marketing to further expand our array of experienced leadership. If board membership is not something you are interested in, perhaps you might consider serving on a committee, supporting us in our administrative office with mailing materials, and/or conducting fundraising events. To find out more about volunteering, please contact our Executive Director, Jocelyn Pyett by calling (734) 677-0609, pressing "0" and asking for her.
If you have any additional questions, please call (734) 677-0609 or E-Mail us at samaritancounsel@sbcglobal.net