Practice Policies

Privacy Policy

Commitment to Privacy and Confidentiality

Blue Vista Counseling is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal health information. Your trust is fundamental to the therapeutic relationship, and we take our responsibility to safeguard your information seriously.

Privacy Policy Provision

Upon becoming a client of our practice, you will receive a comprehensive Privacy Policy that details our practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of your protected health information.

Understanding Your Healthcare Costs: The No Surprises Act

At our practice, we believe in transparency and want you to feel confident about your healthcare decisions. The federal No Surprises Act, which took effect in January 2022, provides important protections for patients receiving mental health services.

What This Means for You

Protection from Surprise Bills: If you're uninsured or choose to pay out-of-network, you're protected from unexpected charges that significantly exceed your good faith estimate. If your final bill is more than $400 higher than estimated, you have the right to dispute the charges.

Your Right to Choose: You can always choose to receive services out-of-network, even when in-network options are available. We'll make sure you understand the potential cost differences before you decide.

Client Rights

Confidentiality and Privacy

You have the right to confidential treatment. Information shared in therapy sessions is protected by law and will not be disclosed without your written consent, except in limited circumstances required by law (such as imminent danger to yourself or others, suspected child or elder abuse, or court orders).

Informed Consent

You have the right to receive clear information about your treatment, including the nature and goals of therapy, potential risks and benefits, treatment methods, fees, and your therapist's qualifications and approach.

Treatment Decisions

You have the right to participate in treatment planning, ask questions about your care, request changes to your treatment plan, and refuse or discontinue treatment at any time.

Access to Records

You have the right to access your clinical records, request corrections to inaccurate information, and receive a copy of your records upon written request, subject to applicable laws and professional guidelines.

Respectful Treatment

You have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Emergencies

Blue Vista Counseling provides outpatient mental health services during regular business hours only. This facility does not provide emergency mental health crisis intervention services after hours, on weekends, or during holidays.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

If you are in a crisis, please utilize the following resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Milwaukee Crisis: 414-257-7222

Impact: 211 (free, confidential helpline and online resource directory) IMPACT 211 - IMPACT (impactinc.org)