The $185 self-pay new-patient visit at Stedfast Psychiatry covers a full 45 to 60 minute psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or physician assistant, screening scales, a diagnosis, a treatment plan and any prescriptions written that day. Labs, therapy sessions, TMS and Spravato are separate. It is well below typical private psychiatry rates in Florida and South Carolina.
People assume that psychiatry without insurance is unaffordable, and in many private practices it is: new-patient evaluations with a psychiatrist in South Florida routinely run $300 to $500, and some concierge practices charge more. Stedfast Psychiatry set its self-pay new-patient rate at $185 so that cost is not the reason someone goes untreated. This article explains what that number buys, what it does not, and when paying directly is the smarter choice even if you carry insurance.
What the $185 visit includes
The self-pay new-patient visit is the same visit an insured patient receives. There is no shortened "cash version."
- A 45 to 60 minute psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or physician assistant, in person at any of our 13 offices in Florida and South Carolina or by telehealth.
- Standardized screening scales appropriate to your concern, such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, ASRS, MDQ or PCL-5, scored and reviewed in the visit.
- A diagnosis or working diagnosis, explained in plain terms.
- A treatment plan covering medication, therapy, interventional options or watchful waiting, with the reasoning.
- Any prescriptions sent to your pharmacy that day, including controlled substances where clinically appropriate and permitted.
- Lab orders when needed (the lab bills separately; see below).
- A written visit summary through the patient portal.
- Access to the office for questions between visits.
ADHD evaluations, geriatric evaluations and adolescent evaluations that run longer are still $185 at the new-patient rate. If a second visit is needed to complete the evaluation, for example to review school records or collateral forms, it is billed at the follow-up rate, not as a second new-patient visit.
What follow-ups and other services cost
| Service | Self-pay rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New-patient psychiatric evaluation | $185 | 45 to 60 minutes; same for psychiatrist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant |
| Follow-up medication management visit | Lower than the new-patient rate; quoted when you book | 15 to 30 minutes, typically every 4 weeks during adjustment then every 3 months |
| Psychotherapy session | Quoted when you book | Varies by clinician and length |
| Laboratory tests | Billed by the lab | Ask for the lab's self-pay price; thyroid and metabolic panels are usually inexpensive |
| Deep TMS course | Quoted at consultation | 36 sessions over 6 to 9 weeks at Palm Beach Gardens; most patients use insurance with prior authorization |
| Spravato | Quoted at consultation | Drug cost plus monitoring; manufacturer assistance programs may apply; most patients use insurance |
| Forms, letters, records | Varies | Simple records requests are often free; FMLA, disability and accommodation paperwork may carry a fee |
Follow-up and therapy rates are set below the new-patient rate and are stated when you schedule, so there is no surprise at checkout. If finances are a barrier to continuing care, say so; spacing visits out once stable and using 90-day prescriptions reduce the annual cost considerably.
What is not included
Medications themselves, which you buy at the pharmacy. Generic antidepressants, mood stabilizers and most ADHD medications cost a few dollars to a few dozen dollars a month with a discount card, and we prescribe generics by default for self-pay patients. Lab tests, billed by the laboratory. Psychological or neuropsychological testing, which is performed by psychologists and referred out. Hospital or emergency care. And the interventional treatments, Deep TMS and Spravato, which have their own pricing and for which nearly all patients use insurance.
How $185 compares
Surveys of private psychiatric practice fees and data from cost-transparency sites put the typical self-pay psychiatric evaluation in Florida between $250 and $500, with Palm Beach and Broward counties at the upper end. South Carolina rates are somewhat lower but still commonly $200 to $400. Online-only telepsychiatry companies advertise lower prices, sometimes $100 to $200, but typically with shorter visits, a nurse practitioner only, no physical offices and no interventional options. The $185 rate at Stedfast Psychiatry buys a full-length evaluation at a practice with 13 physical offices, psychiatrist oversight, and a path to TMS and Spravato if standard treatment fails.
When self-pay makes sense even if you have insurance
Most of our patients use insurance, and we accept most major plans and Medicare. But there are situations where paying $185 directly is the better decision.
High-deductible plans
If your deductible is $3,000 and you have not met it, your insurance will pay nothing for the visit, and you will be billed the insurer's negotiated rate, which may be higher than $185. Ask our billing staff to compare before the visit. Note that a self-pay visit does not count toward your deductible.
Out-of-network plans
If we are not in your plan's network, self-pay is usually cheaper than the out-of-network share, and we can provide a superbill you may submit for partial reimbursement under out-of-network benefits.
Privacy
Some patients prefer that a psychiatric diagnosis not appear in their insurance record, for reasons ranging from life insurance applications to employment in fields with security clearances or professional licensing boards. Self-pay keeps the record at the practice. This is a legitimate reason, and we do not ask you to justify it.
Speed and simplicity
Self-pay skips eligibility verification, referral requirements under some HMO plans and prior authorization for visits. The appointment is booked and done. For a patient who wants an evaluation this week rather than after a referral cycle, this matters.
Medicare patients: one caution
If you have Medicare and we are a participating provider, we are generally required to bill Medicare for covered services rather than accept cash, unless you specifically choose to opt out of Medicare billing for that service with a written agreement. Our staff will explain the options. For most Medicare patients, using Medicare is the better choice because the coinsurance is small and often covered by a supplement.
Discount cards, HSAs and other ways to lower the cost
Health savings account and flexible spending account funds can be used for self-pay psychiatric visits and medications. Pharmacy discount programs such as GoodRx and the pharmacy's own generic lists often beat insurance copays for common psychiatric medications. For patients who later need Spravato, the manufacturer runs a patient assistance program that can reduce the drug cost substantially for eligible patients, and we help with the application.
What self-pay patients can expect from us
Transparent pricing stated before the visit. Generic prescribing by default. A conversation about the cost of any test or treatment before it is ordered. Visit spacing that respects your budget once you are stable. And the same clinical standard as every other patient, because the evaluation is the same evaluation.
If you have been putting off a psychiatric evaluation because you assumed you could not afford it, the number is $185, at 13 offices across Florida and South Carolina or by telehealth, with no referral and no insurance required. Call and ask for the self-pay rate; the scheduler will quote the follow-up rate at the same time so you know the full picture before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the $185 self-pay visit shorter than an insured visit?
No. It is the same 45 to 60 minute psychiatric evaluation, with the same screening scales, diagnosis, treatment plan and prescriptions, delivered by the same clinicians. There is no abbreviated cash version.
Can I use self-pay for one visit and insurance later?
Usually yes for commercial insurance. For Medicare, participating providers are generally required to bill Medicare for covered services unless you sign a written agreement to opt out for that service, so discuss it with our staff first. Switching from self-pay to insurance at a later visit is otherwise straightforward.
Does the $185 include medication?
No. Prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy and purchased there. We prescribe generics by default for self-pay patients, and most common psychiatric generics cost a few dollars to a few dozen dollars a month with a pharmacy discount program.
Why would someone with insurance choose to self-pay?
High unmet deductibles, out-of-network plans, a desire to keep a psychiatric diagnosis out of the insurance record, or wanting to skip referral and authorization delays. In each case $185 may be less than the insured cost or worth the trade-off. Our billing staff can compare the two before your visit.
Can I get a superbill to submit to my insurance?
Yes. Self-pay patients with out-of-network benefits can request a superbill with the diagnosis and procedure codes needed to seek partial reimbursement from their insurer. Reimbursement depends on your plan's out-of-network terms.
Related reading
- How to Find a Psychiatrist That Accepts Medicare
- What Happens at Your First Psychiatrist Appointment
- How Prior Authorization Works for TMS and Spravato
- How Much Does TMS Cost With and Without Insurance?
- How Much Does Spravato Cost?
This article is educational and does not replace evaluation by a licensed clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.