Why Skadi Sport Psychology Is an Out-Of-Network Provider—and What That Means For You
Finding a sport psychologist or a mental health therapist as an athlete can be tough, especially for those hoping to use their insurance. With so many providers out there, it can feel like acronym soup, and playing the insurance game can admittedly makes it feel even more complicated. At Skadi Sport Psychology, we provide athletes with top-tier mental health and performance therapy to help them succeed both on and off the field. One thing that makes us different from many other providers is that we’re an out-of-network practice. Note that this is different than in-network AND different from being private pay.
If you’re not sure what that means or why we’ve chosen this model, this article will break it down. We’ll explain what being out of network involves, why we believe it allows us to provide the best care, and how it benefits our athletes.
What Does "Out of Network" Mean?
When a therapist is “in network,” it means they have a formal agreement with specific insurance companies to provide services at pre-negotiated rates. Out-of-network and private pay providers, on the other hand, don’t have these agreements and don’t directly accept insurance. At Skadi Sport Psychology, this means you’ll pay for your therapy sessions upfront, but you may be eligible for partial reimbursement through your insurance policy.
What sets us apart is that we don’t leave you to navigate the complicated world of insurance on your own. Many private pay providers simply provide patients with a superbill—a detailed receipt of services—and leave the responsibility on the client to contact their insurance company, decipher benefits, and submit claims on their own. This often creates unnecessary stress and confusion.
At Skadi, we’ve streamlined the process to make it as hassle-free as possible.
During your intake session, we’ll check your out-of-network benefits for you. Here’s how it works:
You’ll provide a copy of your insurance card during the intake process.
We’ll call your insurance company to verify your out-of-network benefits and share details, such as your deductible and reimbursement rate.
If you’re eligible, we’ll handle submitting claims after each session. You’ll continue to pay Skadi directly, and if your insurance covers out-of-network services, reimbursement checks will be sent directly to you.
It’s important to note that most policies have an out-of-network deductible that must be met before insurance begins covering claims, and reimbursement rates are typically based on the “allowed amount,” which is determined by your insurance.
For example, if we charge $205 for a session but your insurance allows $110 for this type of service, your benefits would be calculated based on the $110—not the full session rate. While coverage can vary, we’re here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Why Skadi Sport Psychology Chose to Be an Out-of-Network Provider
You might wonder why we don’t directly accept insurance. The decision to stay out of network wasn’t made lightly—it’s grounded in our mission to provide the highest quality care to our clients. Here are the key reasons behind our decision:
1. Protecting Your Privacy
Many of our clients are high-profile athletes or athletes with marginalized identities (e.g., trans and non-binary athletes, athletes with disabilities) who understandably want complete confidentiality. Operating out of network allows us to protect sensitive information, such as treatment plans or progress notes, from insurance companies. This approach allows us to make sure your therapy remains a private and secure space.
2. Tailoring Care to Each Athlete
Insurance companies often impose restrictions on the type, duration, and frequency of therapy sessions, which can interfere with what’s truly best for the client. By staying out of network, we maintain full autonomy over your treatment plan. This means providers can make decisions about your care based on their deep understanding of your unique needs, rather than having an insurance representative dictate care based solely on a diagnosis. It also allows us to easily adjust the cadence of sessions depending on the time of year (e.g., off-season, preparing for championship events) or unexpected challenges.
3. Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Insurance reimbursement rates have declined steadily over the years, which forces many in-network providers to take on unmanageable caseloads just to maintain their practices. This is not the environment we want for you—nor our therapists. At Skadi, we intentionally limit our caseloads so we can provide personalized, attentive, and high-quality care. We can remember the name of your pet(s) and coaches, the names and dates of important competitions, and more. This also gives our therapists the time and mental bandwidth to create tailored resources for you and provide personalized resources, including but not limited to podcasts, book recommendations, worksheets, and assessments. Finally, the smaller caseloads allow us to accommodate urgent appointment requests.
4. Focusing on Performance and Well-being
Our work often goes well beyond addressing psychological distress. For athletes, it’s just as important to focus on achieving peak performance, enhancing well-being, and building mental resilience for major events and milestones. Out-of-network care frees us from a narrow focus on reducing symptoms, allowing us to work holistically with you as both person and athlete.
Benefits for Athletes and Families
In sum, choosing an out-of-network provider like Skadi Sport Psychology comes with several benefits that directly impact the quality of care athletes and their families receive:
Personalized Attention: With smaller caseloads, we can get to know you on a deeper level. From remembering the name of your pet to tailoring strategies for dealing with pre-game nerves, our approach is truly one-of-a-kind.
Flexible, Athlete-Centered Care: Whether you need extra sessions during competition season or a performance psychology focus, our care evolves with your life—because it was designed for you, not your insurance policy.
Enhanced Privacy: We respect your right to keep therapy details confidential. Out-of-network care protects sensitive information while fostering a secure space for personal growth and performance improvement.
Hassle-Free Support: No more wasting time on hold with your insurance company or trying to decode superbills with confusing codes. We handle all of that for you and are here to answer any questions you might have.
Addressing Common Concerns
“Isn’t out-of-network care more expensive?”
We understand that cost can be a significant concern when it comes to mental health therapy. While upfront payments may seem overwhelming, our concierge insurance support is here to help you maximize your out-of-network benefits. Many clients are pleasantly surprised by how much they’re able to get reimbursed. That said, we acknowledge our services come at a higher cost. However, we firmly believe that quality care is an investment—and in this case, you’re investing in the exceptional, personalized care you deserve.
“Will the claims process be complicated?”
Not at all! We handle claims submission and paperwork for you. Your role? Just provide your insurance information and enjoy therapy. We’ll take care of the rest.
How to Navigate Out-of-Network Benefits
Wondering how to maximize your benefits? Here are some quick tips:
Understand Your Policy: Familiarize yourself with your out-of-network coverage, including deductibles and reimbursement rates. We’ll help you with this step during your intake process.
Track Your Sessions: Keep a record of your sessions and payments, just in case you need to follow up with your insurance. Don't worry--we also keep track of this and can provide you with this information if needed.
Set Expectations: Remember that reimbursement often depends on 1) the deductible; and 2) the allowed amount set by your policy, not the full session fee. Many athletes have high deductibles for healthcare because they're healthy and don't need a lot of
If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Partnering With You for Improved Performance
At Skadi Sport Psychology, everything we do is rooted in supporting athletes and their families through challenges and opportunities alike. By choosing to be an out-of-network provider, we’re able to deliver personalized, confidential, and high-quality care that prioritizes your needs—not the fine print of an insurance policy.
If you’re looking to build mental resilience and improve performance, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation—we’re ready to help you prepare for a season to be proud of.
