Fees & Insurance
Paying for counseling shouldn't be one more thing to carry
The Gentle Paw is part of Steady Compass Counseling Services, so your insurance, billing, and benefits check are handled by the same team. Here's the short version.
Before the details
You came here for support, not paperwork
If you're reading this, you might be grieving a companion, worried about your child, or working up the courage to face a fear. Figuring out what it costs shouldn't add to that weight.
The Gentle Paw is the animal-focused side of Steady Compass Counseling Services. Same licensed clinicians, same billing team, same insurance plans. Rather than repeat everything here, this page covers what's specific to our services and points you to the Steady Compass site for the full insurance details.
What insurance covers
Insurance depends on the state you live in
We can only bill insurance for clients who live in a state where our clinicians are licensed: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts. If that's you, most of our services can be covered. If you live somewhere else, we offer pet loss coaching as a self-pay service.
In NY, NJ, CT, FL, VA, or MA
Can be covered by insurance
- Pet loss and grief counseling
- Exposure work for fear of dogs
- Animal-assisted psychotherapy
- Child aggression toward animals: assessment and support
We can help either way. If we're in-network with your plan, we bill your insurance for you. If we're not, we help you use your out-of-network benefits. The plans we work with can differ from state to state, and coverage depends on your plan.
Two exceptions
Self-pay services
- Introducing a new pet into your home. This service isn't billed to insurance.
- Pet loss coaching. If you live outside the states where we're licensed, we offer pet loss coaching. Coaching is supportive and educational, and it is not therapy, so it isn't billed to insurance.
We'll always share the fee with you before you book. We accept CareCredit if you'd like to spread payments out.
It depends
ESA evaluations
An ESA evaluation can be covered by insurance or self-pay, depending on your situation and your plan. Ask us, and we'll tell you which applies to you before you book.
How it works
Three steps, and we handle most of them
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Reach out
Email us or book a free consultation. Let us know your insurance plan, the state you live in, and which service you're interested in.
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We check your benefits
Our billing team contacts your insurance for you, at no charge, and looks at your deductible, copay, and coinsurance.
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You get an estimate
Before your first session, we tell you what we expect it to cost. It's an estimate and not a guarantee, since your plan makes the final call when it processes the claim. But you won't be walking in blind.
The full details
Everything about insurance lives on our Steady Compass site
Accepted plans, EAP programs, reduced fees, and a plain-language guide to deductibles and copays are kept up to date in one place.
See full insurance detailsCommon questions
Fees and insurance at The Gentle Paw
Does insurance cover pet loss grief counseling?
It can, if you live in a state where our clinicians are licensed. Insurance pays for counseling when there's a clinical need, which means a diagnosis your clinician documents. Many people grieving a companion animal meet that bar, and some don't. We'll talk with you honestly about which applies, check your benefits, and give you an estimate before your first session.
Are ESA evaluations covered by insurance?
It depends. An ESA evaluation can be covered by insurance or self-pay, depending on your situation and your plan. Ask us, and we'll tell you which applies to you before you book.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
The Gentle Paw is part of Steady Compass Counseling Services, so we work with the same plans. The plans we're in-network with can differ from state to state. Our biller can tell you where your plan stands, and you'll find an overview on the Steady Compass insurance page.
What if I live outside the states where you're licensed?
We can only provide therapy and bill insurance in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts. If you live somewhere else, we offer pet loss coaching. Coaching is supportive and educational, and it is not therapy. It's a self-pay service, and we'll share the fee with you before you book.
What if my plan is out of network?
We help you use your out-of-network benefits. That includes a superbill, which is a detailed receipt with the codes your insurance asks for, so you can submit it for possible reimbursement.
Is the benefits check really free?
Yes. Our billing team contacts your insurance at no charge and with no obligation to book. What you get back is an estimate. Your plan makes the final decision when it processes each claim.
Questions about your plan?
Our biller can tell you where you stand
Send a quick email to find out which insurance plans we accept in your state, which ones we're in-network with, and how out-of-network benefits would work for you.