Therapy in New Jersey that your insurance probably covers.
Cost should not be the reason you put this off for another year. I am in network with most major plans in New Jersey through Headway, which verifies your benefits and tells you what you will pay before you book anything.
The short version
- Nine major plans accepted, billed through Headway
- Your exact cost is shown before you confirm a session
- Private pay welcome, with a written Good Faith Estimate
- Free initial consultation, whichever route you take
- Telehealth statewide; you must be in New Jersey during sessions
Which insurance plans does Shannon accept?
I am currently in network with the following plans for New Jersey clients. Coverage details vary by individual policy, so it is always worth confirming your own benefits.
- Aetna
- Carelon Behavioral Health
- Cigna
- Curative
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- Horizon BCBS NJ Medicare Advantage
- Independence Blue Cross PA
- Oscar
- Oxford
- Providence Health Plan
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
| Insurance plan | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Carelon Behavioral Health | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Cigna | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Curative | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Horizon BCBS NJ Medicare Advantage | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Independence Blue Cross PA | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Oscar | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Oxford | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Providence Health Plan | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| United Healthcare | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| United Healthcare Medicare Advantage | In-network | Billed through Headway |
| Private pay (self-pay) | Available | Good Faith Estimate provided in writing before treatment begins |
Plan participation can change. If you do not see your insurer here, get in touch — out-of-network reimbursement and private pay are both options, and I will tell you honestly which is likely to work out better for you.
How does billing through Headway work?
Headway is the platform that handles insurance for this practice. It does the benefit check, bills your insurer, and collects any copay — so you are never guessing what a session costs.
- 01
Open my Headway profile
Use the booking button anywhere on this site. It takes you straight to my profile.
- 02
Enter your insurance details
Headway verifies your behavioral health benefits in real time — usually within minutes.
- 03
See your cost per session
You are shown your expected cost up front, based on your copay, coinsurance, and deductible.
- 04
Pick a time and we begin
Choose a slot that works, and you will get a secure telehealth link before the session.
What if I would rather not use insurance?
Private pay is straightforward and completely welcome. Some people prefer it for privacy — using insurance means a diagnosis is recorded with your insurer — and some prefer it for flexibility in how often and how long we meet.
Session fee: Out of pocket is a sliding scale
Initial session: Out of pocket is a sliding scale
Fees are confirmed in writing before your first appointment. Nothing is charged before
you have agreed to it.
Your Good Faith Estimate
Under the federal No Surprises Act, if you are not using insurance you are entitled to a written estimate of what your care is expected to cost. You will receive one before we begin. You can read more on the Good Faith Estimate page.
Out-of-network benefits
If your plan is not listed but includes out-of-network coverage, you may be reimbursed for part of each session. I can provide a superbill — an itemised receipt — to submit to your insurer. Reimbursement rates are set by your plan, not by this practice.
Cancellations
Life happens. I ask for as much notice as you can reasonably give so the time can be offered to someone else; the specific cancellation policy is covered in your intake paperwork before your first session.
I will help you check.
Insurance language is deliberately confusing. Send me your plan name and I will tell you what to look for — or call your insurer and ask these four questions:
- Do I have outpatient mental health or behavioral health benefits?
- Is Shannon Cahill, LPC in network through Headway?
- What is my copay or coinsurance per session, and is telehealth covered the same way?
- Do I have a deductible to meet first, and how much of it is left this year?
Get help in one message
- (732) 510-0433
- scbusiness@myyahoo.com
- Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri 7am-2pm, Sat-Sun 8am-1pm
What happens in the first session?
The first session is a conversation, not an assessment you can fail. It usually runs about 50 minutes and it has one purpose: for both of us to understand what is going on and what you want to be different.
I will usually ask about:
- What brought you here now, rather than a year ago
- What you have already tried, including what did and did not help
- Your history, health, medication, and the people around you
- What a good outcome would actually look like in your daily life
You decide how much to share and when. Nothing has to come out on day one, and telling me you would rather not discuss something yet is a perfectly acceptable answer.
Before the end we will agree on what we are working toward and roughly what the next few sessions will cover. Most people meet weekly at first; we adjust as things shift.
What you need for telehealth
- A private space where you will not be overheard
- A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a stable connection
- Headphones, if you have them — better for audio and for privacy
- To be physically located in New Jersey during the session, because that is where I am licensed
You will get a secure link ahead of your appointment. There is no app to buy and no account to set up beyond booking.
Questions about cost and coverage
How does booking through Headway work?
Headway is the platform that handles insurance for my practice. You choose a time on my Headway profile, enter your insurance details, and Headway verifies your benefits and shows your expected cost per session before you commit. Headway bills your insurer and collects any copay, so there are no surprise invoices from me.
How do I find out what I will actually pay?
Your cost depends on your plan’s copay, coinsurance, and whether your deductible has been met. Headway shows you that estimate during booking. If you would rather not do it alone, contact me and I will walk you through checking your behavioral health benefits.
What if my insurance is not on the list?
You still have options. Some plans include out-of-network benefits that reimburse part of each session, and private pay is always available. Reach out and I will help you work out which route makes the most sense.
Do I have to be in New Jersey for telehealth sessions?
Yes. I am licensed in New Jersey, so you must be physically located in New Jersey at the time of each session. You do not have to live in New Jersey permanently — a college student home for a break, for example, can be seen while they are in state.
What do I need for a telehealth session?
A private space, a reliable internet connection, and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera. You will receive a secure link before your appointment. Headphones help with both audio quality and privacy, and please do not join from a moving vehicle.
Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid?
I accept Horizon BCBS NJ Medicare Advantage and United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans. For other Medicare or Medicaid coverage, contact me and I will tell you where things currently stand.