Legal
Telehealth Consent &
Good Faith Estimate.
This page describes what telehealth services are, what to expect, and your rights as a client — including your right to a Good Faith Estimate of costs under the federal No Surprises Act. A formal consent agreement will be provided and signed prior to your first session.
Part One — Telehealth Consent
1. What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth refers to the delivery of mental health services via electronic communications, including video conferencing, telephone, and secure messaging. Heiser Counseling offers telehealth sessions to clients located in Texas and Washington State.
Telehealth sessions are conducted using HIPAA-compliant video platforms. You will receive connection details prior to your scheduled appointment.
2. Benefits and Limitations
Benefits
- Access to care from your home or other private location
- Reduced travel time and scheduling flexibility
- Continuity of care during illness, travel, or other circumstances
Limitations
- Technology failures (poor internet, hardware issues) may interrupt sessions
- Telehealth may not be appropriate for all clinical presentations
- Non-verbal cues may be harder to observe through video
- If you are in crisis, telehealth may not be the appropriate level of care
3. Confidentiality in Telehealth
The same confidentiality protections that apply to in-person therapy apply to telehealth sessions. However, you are responsible for ensuring that you are in a private location during sessions where you cannot be overheard. Heiser Counseling uses HIPAA-compliant platforms and takes reasonable steps to protect your information, but no electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Please do not conduct sessions in public spaces, open workplaces, or any location where you may be overheard.
4. Emergency Procedures
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency during a telehealth session, Destany will direct you to call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Please provide your current address at the start of each session so that emergency services can be contacted on your behalf if needed.
Telehealth is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis between sessions, please call 988, go to your nearest emergency room, or call 911.
5. Technology Requirements
To participate in telehealth sessions, you will need:
- A device with a camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
- A stable internet or cellular connection
- A private, quiet location
If a technology failure occurs at the start of or during a session, we will attempt to reconnect. If reconnection is not possible within a reasonable time, the session may be rescheduled at no additional cost.
6. State Licensing
Destany Schadder is licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State. Telehealth services are available only to clients who are physically located in Texas or Washington at the time of their session. It is your responsibility to notify Heiser Counseling if you relocate or if you will be in a different state during a scheduled session.
Part Two — Good Faith Estimate
7. Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
Under the federal No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022), you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of the expected costs of your healthcare services before your first appointment and upon request at any time.
A Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your healthcare needs. The estimate is based on information known at the time of the estimate and is not a contract.
8. What the Estimate Covers
Your Good Faith Estimate will include:
- Expected session frequency and duration
- Fee per session
- Estimated total cost for a defined period of care
- Any other services reasonably anticipated as part of your care
Mental health treatment is individualized and the actual number of sessions needed cannot always be predicted in advance. The GFE is an estimate only.
9. Current Fees
Current session fees will be provided during your initial consultation and in your Good Faith Estimate. Fees are subject to change with advance notice. Heiser Counseling accepts private pay and cash pay. Sendero Health is accepted in Texas; eligibility and coverage details will be discussed prior to your first session.
A sliding scale may be available in limited circumstances. Please inquire directly.
10. Dispute Resolution
If you receive a bill that is substantially higher than your Good Faith Estimate (generally, $400 or more above the estimate), you may dispute the bill. For questions about your rights, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
11. Request a Good Faith Estimate
To request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling your first appointment, or at any time during your care, contact Destany directly: