First Appointment - 847.570.0817
If you do not reach Dr. McMahon directly when you telephone for an appointment, you can leave a message on her answering machine. All messages are confidential and Dr. McMahon retrieves her own messages. On weekdays, she attempts to return calls the same day; it is always helpful if you tell her what times you will be available for a return call and leave the number(s) at which you may be reached. On weekends, or if she retrieves your call later in the evening, unless you indicate your call is urgent she will return your call the following weekday.
Dr. McMahon will suggest that you talk with her for a few minutes prior to making your first appointment. This gives you the opportunity to discuss the reasons for your call and to ask Dr. McMahon any questions you might have about her practice or approach to counseling. She will discuss fees and your payment plans as some insurance policies require preauthorization. If you simply wish to meet with Dr. McMahon and not discuss what is bringing you to contact her over the telephone, you can limit the conversation.
Please call 847.570.0817 for both Downtown and Schaumburg offices
Inquiries welcomed at 847.570.0817
Chicago Loop
Appointments Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
30 North Michigan Avenue
Schaumburg
Appointments Thursday
1821 Walden Office Square
-- South West of Algonquin Road and Route 53.
Continuing Education
Dr. McMahon believes education is a life-long endeavor and has continually updated her knowledge following completion of her
doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Each year she attends conferences that focus upon a variety
of issues and client needs. In addition, she has attended a weekly study group lead
by master analysts for nine months of each year since 1995. In these ways she remains
focused upon improving her counseling skills for each of her clients.
Payment and Insurance Reimbursement
Engaging in psychotherapy entails a personal commitment to yourself that should impact your experience of life in many ways. Although the depth and variety of these consequences differ for each person, engaging in psychotherapy always includes a time and financial commitment.
Dr. McMahon accepts payment by cash or bank check at the end of each session. She requests that you pay the insurance copayment or the entire fee at each session depending upon the type of insurance you have, if you have met your annual deductible or session limits, or if you have decided to pay out-of-pocket without utilizing insurance.
Because Dr. McMahon considers client privacy to be critical, she prepares and submits insurance claims herself and consults with insurers directly when necessary. Like any other topic affecting the counseling relationship, information released to the insurance companies can be discussed beforehand if you so request. She will provide you with a statement of services at the end of each month that you can submit to your insurer and/or may use for income tax deduction purposes.
Dr. McMahon is a panel provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO/POS and Motorola-HAP policies, and with either APS or Magellan Managed Care for some insurance policies. She will accept assignment from these insurers as long as the contract fees are adequate and the insurer reimburses within 30 days of claim submission
However, some insurers no longer utilize provider panels. Because she is a doctoral level psychologist licensed in Illinois, your treatment should be covered by non-paneled insurers or on an "out-of-network" basis by all PPO, POS or Indemnity policies that provide counseling benefits. For example, Dr. McMahon has worked with Cigna, Aetna, Principal and Value Options Managed Care, among other insurance companies, as an "out-of-network" provider. She may request that you pay her in full for services if you have this type of PPO/POS policy but she will support your claims for reimbursement.
It is important to note that Dr. McMahon is not an HMO provider for any insurer, and her work with you will not be covered by HMO insurers.
If you do not have insurance - or have questions about using your insurance - Dr. McMahon will discuss treatment options with you.
Dr. McMahon's practice includes current HIPAA practices related to your protected healthcare information (PHI). She will discuss how this affects your use of counseling benefits and insurance reimbursement.
