Good Faith Estimate
James Ochoa, Inc dba The Life Empowerment Center (TLEC) | 1111 Virtual Zoom Dr, Austin, TX 78704 | 512-804-2343 | admin@tlec.info
In compliance with the No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022)
Your right to a Good Faith Estimate
Under the federal No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of expected costs for healthcare services, including mental health services, before your first appointment.
This right applies to all clients of this practice. James Ochoa, Inc dba The Life Empowerment Center (TLEC) is a private pay only practice and does not accept insurance. All clients pay out-of-pocket, which means every client is entitled to a Good Faith Estimate before services begin.
The Good Faith Estimate is not a bill. It is an estimate of what you may be charged for services so you can make informed decisions about your care.
What is included in a Good Faith Estimate
Your Good Faith Estimate will include:
The expected cost of each service (e.g., individual therapy session, couples session, family session)
The diagnostic and procedure codes associated with those services
The name and location of the provider
An estimate of the number of sessions anticipated over a 12-month period, based on your presenting concerns and treatment goals
Because this practice includes providers at different licensure levels, fees vary depending on which clinician is providing your care. Your individual written Good Faith Estimate will reflect the specific provider assigned to you.
You will receive your Good Faith Estimate in writing — by email or in your client portal — before your first appointment, or upon request at any time.
Session fees
Fees vary by provider. The following rates will be reflected in your individual Good Faith Estimate based on the clinician providing your care.
| James Ochoa, LPC-S Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor |
||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Session length | Fee per session |
| ADHD Assessment — initial intake + IVA-CPT Computerized Test | 120 minutes | $745 |
| Individual therapy — initial intake | 75 minutes | $495 |
| Individual therapy — standard session | 50 minutes | $375 |
| Individual therapy — standard session | 25 minutes | $275 |
| Individual therapy — standard session | 75 minutes | $475 |
| Couples / Family therapy — initial intake | 75 minutes | $525 |
| Couples / Family therapy — standard session | 50 minutes | $425 |
| Couples / Family therapy — standard session | 75 minutes | $525 |
| IVA-CPT Computerized Test (one-time) | 15-20 minutes | $250 |
Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. You will be notified in advance of any fee changes.
| James Ochoa, LPC-S Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor |
||
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Sessions per year (approx.) | Estimated annual cost |
| Weekly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 52 | $19,620 |
| Weekly - Couples / Family 50 minute sessions | 52 | $22,200 |
| Biweekly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 26 | $9,870 |
| Biweekly - Couples / Family 50 minute sessions | 26 | $11,150 |
| Monthly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 12 | $4,620 |
| Monthly - Couples / Family 50 minute sessions | 12 | $5,200 |
| Jennifer Walsh, LPC-Associate Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate, supervised by James Ochoa, LPC-S |
||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Session length | Fee per session |
| ADHD Assessment — initial intake + IVA-CPT Computerized Test | 120 minutes | $550 |
| Individual therapy — initial intake | 75 minutes | $300 |
| Individual therapy — standard session | 50 minutes | $150 |
| Individual therapy — standard session | 25 minutes | $90 |
| IVA-CPT Computerized Test (one-time) | 15-20 minutes | $250 |
About LPC-Associates: In Texas, an LPC-Associate is a fully licensed counselor who has completed their graduate degree and is working toward independent licensure under the supervision of an LPC-Supervisor. Sessions with an LPC-Associate are clinically supervised, which is reflected in the lower fee.
Estimated annual cost
The total cost of your care will depend on the frequency and number of sessions. The following are general estimates for planning purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of treatment length.
| Jennifer Walsh, LPC-Associate Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate, supervised by James Ochoa, LPC-S |
||
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Sessions per year (approx.) | Estimated annual cost |
| Weekly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 52 | $7,950 |
| Biweekly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 26 | $4,050 |
| Monthly - Individual 50 minute sessions | 12 | $1,950 |
Your actual number of sessions will be determined collaboratively based on your needs and treatment progress. Therapy is not open-ended — we will regularly review your goals and progress together.
Payment and accepted methods
James Ochoa, Inc, dba The Life Empowerment Center (TLEC) is a private pay only practice. We do not accept insurance of any kind, including Medicaid and Medicare. Payment is due in full at the time of each session.
We accept the following forms of payment:
Credit and debit card
Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards
[Add or remove as applicable — e.g., Zelle, check, etc.]
A credit or debit card is required to be kept on file prior to your first appointment.
Why private pay?
Choosing not to work with insurance allows us to protect your privacy, avoid insurance-mandated limitations on session frequency or treatment length, and focus entirely on your care rather than insurance requirements. It also means you will never receive a surprise bill from an insurance company after a claim is processed.
Your right to dispute a bill
If you receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
To start the dispute process:
Contact James Ochoa, Inc dba The Life Empowerment Center (TLEC) directly at 512-804-2343 or admin@tlec.info to discuss the discrepancy
If unresolved, you may use the federal dispute resolution process at www.cms.gov/nosurprises
You must initiate a dispute within 120 calendar days of the date of the bill
You are not required to pay the disputed amount while the dispute is being reviewed. Disputing a bill will not negatively affect your care or your relationship with this practice.
For questions about the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
How to request your Good Faith Estimate
You will automatically receive a Good Faith Estimate before your first appointment. You may also request one at any time by:
Emailing us at admin@tlec.info
Calling us at 512-804-2343
Submitting a request through our client portal
We will provide your written estimate within 1 business day if your appointment is scheduled within 3 days, within 3 business days if scheduled within 10 days, or within 10 business days for any other request.
Questions?
If you have questions about your Good Faith Estimate, your fees, or your rights under the No Surprises Act, please don't hesitate to reach out.
James Ochoa, Inc dba The Life Empowerment Center (TLEC)
1111 Virtual Zoom Dr, Austin, TX 78704
For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.