Why should you pay cash when you have insurance?

Just because you choose to visit a therapist, doesn't mean that you want the world to know.

Clients typically build a trust relationship with their therapist. Most therapists wish the best for their client, and value their trust. Laws protect clients from therapist's gossip, which as stated earlier, they wouldn't do it anyway.Just a note, if the court knows that you saw a therapist, they may subpoena the notes that the therapist has about you. If this therapist has submitted a claim with your insurance, they will include a diagnosis of some sort, otherwise the claim will be denied. Knowledge is power whether it is completely true, or partially true. Insurance claims require a diagnosis. This diagnosis will be a part of your medical record for years to come. Three groups of people who have access to your medical records include hackers, insurance companies, and government agencies. Hackers
Hackers can be anyone that you don't want to know your business. Maybe it's a spouse, family member, employer or worse. Every month, you should receive a explanation of benefits from your health care provider. If you are on someone else's account, or if they open your mail, they will see that you visited a therapist. This could lead to uncomfortable questions that you may want to avoid. Apart from family and fiends who may find out when you really don't want them to know, there are others who may gain access to the information. according to a popular news article, one hundred seventy million patient records were breached in 2024. Mental health care in particular is very valuable to hackers because they can use it for blackmail or social manipulation. If leaked to the right people, this information could be unofficially used against you in the court of public opinion, affect a future job possibility or even create unnecessary stress for you because of a notice that it was leaked. Face it, the fewer people that know you went to a therapist, the better. As stated earlier, you trust your therapist. Do you trust your insurance company, your prosecutor should you, heaven forbid, find yourself in court or a complete stranger who is looking for a victim? Your medical data is valuable. Your mental health records are more so.
Insurance companies
Insurance companies by nature have a lot of people working with your data. The more hands that touch your information, the more likely there is for a breach. Not only this, Insurance rates are determined by a super crazy formula that includes the treatments that you have or have not had in the past. Lawmakers have fought hard to make sure that we are not denied coverage for a medical ... or mental health condition. This does not mean that we will receive the same treatment as those who have never been to a therapist. You were the one who noticed that you have a problem, so you were responsible and asked for help. There's no reason to be punished for asking for help.

Insurance companies like to dictate the types of procedures that a therapist can or cannot do, and they often have an agenda that does not include what's best for you, the customer. In fact, you and your therapist are much more qualified to determine the treatment plan best you need. Why would you allow your therapist to be bullied by the insurance company? Many people cannot afford treatment apart from their insurance company, and if that describes you, then there's nothing from stopping you from using insurance. Just be aware of the downside to its use.

Government Agencies
Your privacy stops at the gates of big government. Courts can subpoena your data from anywhere at any time. This data can be used against you in the legal system. If you have certain diagnosis, it could be used at some point in the future to limit your freedoms or target you for other unjust treatment. Governments have so much power in our lives, and the saying is true, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In Conclusion

There are several reasons to avoid creating a record for yourself that one day you will wish wasn't there. As you can see, the information in your private medical records can be used against you in the hands of a hacker, in the hands of the insurance company that sets your rates to the very government that has vowed to protect and defend your rights.