Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of an evaluation for children, adolescents and adults depends on the type of insurance, contracted network rates and obligations, and your individual insurance type and plan details. Some individuals have a fixed copay for office visits whereas others still have a deductible to meet or other plan details that require they pay a specific amount. Individuals do have the option to not use their commercial insurance and utilize Pine Lake Behavioral Health’s generous sliding fee scale if they wish. However, should you choose not to use your insurance coverage at the time of service our office will not go back and bill your insurance at a later date if you change your mind. The sliding fee scale is ideal for private paying or low income individuals, and most people with commercial insurance coverage receive the most competitive rates.

At Pine Lake Behavioral Health we recognize that many people do not use their insurance regularly, possibly due to a high deductible plan or other “catastrophe plan” type of insurance. In these scenarios, we understand it may not make sense to utilize your insurance plan so the sliding fee scale may be a better fit for you. Our professional staff will gladly inform you of all costs associated with care at our practice prior to actually receiving services as well as provide options for you to choose from in regards to payment.

The cost of an evaluation for children, adolescents and adults depends on the type of insurance, contracted network rates and obligations, and your individual insurance type and plan details. Some individuals have a fixed copay for office visits whereas others still have a deductible to meet or other plan details that require they pay a specific amount. Individuals do have the option tonotuse their commercial insurance and utilize Pine Lake Behavioral Health’s generous sliding fee scale if they wish. However, should you choose not to use your insurance coverage at the time of service our office will not go back and bill your insurance at a later date if you change your mind. The sliding fee scale is ideal for private paying or low income individuals, and most people with commercial insurance coverage receive the most competitive rates.

At Pine Lake Behavioral Health we recognize that many people do not use their insurance regularly, possibly due to a high deductible plan or other “catastrophe plan” type of insurance. In these scenarios, we understand it may not make sense to utilize your insurance plan so the sliding fee scale may be a better fit for you. Our professional staff will gladly inform you of all costs associated with care at our practice prior to actually receiving services as well as provide options for you to choose from in regards to payment.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health offers alcohol & drug education (ASAM 0.5) classes for both adolescents & adults. Alcohol & drug education services can be provided as a 1:1 service with a licensed counselor which typically requires 3-5 individual sessions or you may take the one day class for 6-8 hours that is offered once monthly. Typically, A/D Education programs are 8-15 hours in duration, however we offer this program in multiple 1 hour increments or the one day 8 hour course since we have found that this is a way to complete the course in the most effective and efficient way.

The cost of the A/D Education course is $270.00 whether done 1:1 or in the one day course. Many people taking this course are from out of state or may have legal charges outside of Nebraska which may require a predefined set of hours of A/D education (depending on the state). Should this be your case, please let us know what state you are satisfying this requirement for and the number of hours required and we will be able to modify the program to fit your individual needs. Individuals requiring additional hours beyond what the traditional course offers will be responsible for any additional charges, typically $70/session based on income.

Our practice makes every attempt to participate with all networks available in order to minimize the cost to the patient and to allow individuals and families to utilize their health insurance benefits. We have several providers in network with multiple carriers and most carriers do offer some sort of out of network benefit if the carrier has no providers in the area. The actual insurance carrier and plan type will dictate the cost of services depending on individual plan details such as deductible, copay/coinsurance, and out of pocket cost. Our professional billing specialists will be happy to provide your eligibility and benefits information to you along with a full explanation of benefits prior to any services being provided upon request.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health is a preferred provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), United Healthcare (UBH/UHC), Midlands Choice carriers and Aetna network carriers. We accept most commercial insurances, Medicare, justice referral vouchers, EAP referrals and self pay. Our practice does accept Medicaid but only the UHC Community Plan. As of January 1, 2018 we no longer accept Nebraska Medicaid plans offered through NE Total Care.

PLBH accepts personal & business checks, money orders, cash and all major credit cards. Our practice offers a generous sliding fee scale based on income with flexible weekly, biweekly or monthly payment plans available for individuals and families seeking services. Payments and co-payments are due at the time of service.

Please note that if Lincoln Public Schools are closed due to weather Pine Lake Behavioral Health will not be having groups that day. We encourage you to call our office at (402) 434-2730 to verify if we are open prior to coming out in inclement weather. Our voicemail will reflect our closing status if we are closed otherwise a staff member will be able to provide information that day.

In the event of inclement weather, PLBH will make a decision on closing as follows:

• Daytime Adult Programs: decision will be made by 8:15 a.m.
• Evening Adult Programs: decision will be made by 5:15 p.m.

If you cannot make it to your appointment as scheduled we ask that you extend us the courtesy of providing a 24 hour notice. We have several patients with acute issues that could potentially utilize the appointment time that was reserved for you, and with your notice of cancellation or rescheduling you may provide someone else the opportunity to be seen. If you do not give a 24 hour notice you may be charged a no show fee of $50.00 based on PLBH policy and procedure as well as provider discretion. We understand that life happens so extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration, however you must call our office prior to your appointment for this to be a sufficient cancellation or reschedule circumstance.

On your initial visit to our practice we ask that you bring your insurance card, any paperwork or referral information from your EAP, physician or attorney etc., and your payment for your appointment that day. If you will be utilizing our generous sliding fee scale we ask that you bring a recent paycheck stub or other proof of income or financial hardship so that we may give you the best rate possible. Also, if you are seeing someone at PLBH for medication(s) you may be required to show provide proof of income if you are private pay and wish to utilize the copay assistance or reduced fee programs many pharmaceutical companies offer.

Absolutely – we do drug testing for new and existing patients. We also have direct relationships with several nationally recognized laboratories for drug and alcohol testing confirmations if needed. Pine Lake Behavioral Health has relationships with several academic institutions and employers in the area to provide drug testing services. Our staff are professionally trained and capable of meeting any need in this area. If you are from out of state and are required to do drug testing, you are referred by your employer following an accident or other disciplinary action, or you are a concerned parent with a child who you suspect is using we are available anytime to provide drug testing and laboratory services.

Drug testing for illicit substance use is not covered by insurance therefore this service is provided on a self pay basis only. Our tests are laboratory direct and the cost is often significantly less than the expensive drug testing kits sold at retail stores. We can also provide drug tests to take home for use at your discretion at a reduced cost for existing patients. This is ideal for parents with youth in the home whom they suspect of using. The current cost of drug testing at our practice is $45 which includes the collection, analysis with instant point of care results, and documentation of results by a trained professional. We can conduct same day testing if needed and we do accept walkins for this service as well.

Absolutely! Pine Lake Behavioral Health prides itself on having an open door policy, and this is never truer than in the midst of a crisis. Obviously, if it is a medical crisis we encourage you to go directly to the emergency room or call 911, however our doors are open during business hours from 8a-7p Monday through Thursday and 8a-12:30p on Fridays so someone is usually available at a moment’s notice. We prefer that you schedule an appointment and follow through with the normal scheduling procedures and practices, but if you are experiencing a true crisis you may just come to the office and we will be available to help you. We admire your strength for reaching out, we will make sure your needs are met so that you are safe.