Navigating Off-Campus Resources
Finding an off-campus provider is not an intuitive process. The following is meant to provide you with information as you navigate finding off-campus resources. Use this as a guide and not an absolute.
Using Insurance
Specific plan information can be found on your insurance card or on your insurance provider's website. This will tell you exactly what is covered and how much you will need to pay out of pocket.
Most insurance coverage requires a deductible or co-pay. This is a cheaper amount that you pay for different services. Amounts can be found online.
Other Payment Options
If you don't have insurance or your plan doesn't cover a specific service, you can pay out of pocket. It can be expensive but some providers have payment plans.
Some providers offer sliding scale payments which depend on each person's situation and income. Amount and frequency of payment are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Looking for Providers
Finding a provider can be as simple as a Google search. You can also search through your insurance's website for local providers that already use your plan. Psychology Today is a great site to find mental health providers and Zocdoc works for medical services. Gonzaga also has a list of resources to start your search.
Contacting Providers
Once you have found a service or provider you're interested in the next step is to contact them. Often, this can be the most daunting part. Some providers have office staff to assist in communication and some do this all on their own. Suffice to say, getting in touch with them can be tricky.
The following information will be important to have ready before you make the phone call. They might ask for some or all of this. If no one answers, it is helpful to leave a voicemail.
Name
Contact information
Insurance information
Service you're seeking
Your general availability
Emergency contact
Repeat contact information (voicemail)
If you're not able to leave a voicemail, some providers have contact forms or emails on their website. If you use this, provide similar information.
Don't feel pressured to use the first person you contact! Find someone that's right for you and you can feel comfortable using.