Key takeaways
- At Better Place Now, self-pay is $220 for a 60-minute evaluation and $120 for a 30-minute follow-up (the currently listed rates).
- Most patients use insurance and pay their normal copay or coinsurance. Benefits and expected patient responsibility are discussed before the first appointment.
- If you do not use insurance, federal rules usually require a provider to give you a good faith estimate of the cost when you schedule ahead.
- Ask five questions before you book anywhere: what is the visit length, what will I owe, is my plan accepted, what do follow-ups cost, and when do I get the number in writing.
Cost is one of the biggest reasons people put off a first psychiatric appointment, and it is one of the hardest things to find out in advance. Prices are often hidden behind a phone call, and insurance rules add another layer. This guide lays out how the numbers work, what Better Place Now publishes, and how to get an exact figure for your own visit.
What does a psychiatric visit cost in Arizona?
There is no single price. What you pay depends on the practice, the length of the visit, whether you use insurance, and what your plan requires you to pay. A first evaluation is longer than a follow-up, so it usually costs more.
Because rates differ from one practice to the next, the most useful thing this article can do is be specific about one practice and give you the questions that work anywhere. The numbers below are for Better Place Now.
Self-pay rates at Better Place Now
If you do not use insurance, or you prefer to pay directly, the rates are posted openly on the patient care page. They are the currently listed rates and can change, so confirm them when you schedule.
| Length | Self-pay rate | What it is for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation | 60 minutes | $220 | The full first visit: your history, current medications, sleep, stress, health, and what you want to feel different. |
| Follow-up | 30 minutes | $120 | Reviewing how the plan is working and adjusting it together. |
The first visit is a full hour on purpose. Time to tell the whole story is what makes it possible to decide on medication carefully instead of quickly. You can read what happens in that hour in what to expect at your first psychiatry visit.
How insurance changes what you pay
Three terms decide most of your out-of-pocket cost, and HealthCare.gov defines each one plainly. A deductible is the amount you pay for covered services before your plan starts to pay (HealthCare.gov (opens in a new tab)). A copayment is a fixed amount you pay for a covered service after you have met your deductible (HealthCare.gov (opens in a new tab)). Coinsurance is the percentage of the cost you pay after the deductible (HealthCare.gov (opens in a new tab)).
Most Better Place Now patients use insurance and pay their normal copay or coinsurance. Plan participation and patient responsibility vary by product and eligibility, which is why benefits are checked for each person before scheduling is confirmed. The practice lists plans that include Traditional Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, VA Community Care, TRICARE, and AHCCCS, among others, but a plan name on a list is not a promise that your specific plan is covered.
The good faith estimate if you pay yourself
If you do not have or use health insurance, providers must usually give you a good faith estimate of what your care will cost. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says that applies when you schedule care in advance or ask for one, with scheduling at least three business days ahead. If your final bill is at least $400 more than the estimate, you may be able to dispute it (CMS (opens in a new tab)).
You do not need to know the rules by heart. Simply ask, “Can I have an estimate in writing?” A practice that answers that question clearly is a good sign.
Five questions to ask before you book
The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking whether a provider accepts your insurance and how much treatment will cost (NIMH (opens in a new tab)). These five questions cover the rest of what usually goes wrong.
- How long is the first visit, and how long are follow-ups? A 15-minute medication check and a 60-minute evaluation are very different services.
- What will I owe for the first visit? Ask for a number, not a range, and ask whether it is your copay, your coinsurance, or a self-pay rate.
- Do you participate with my exact plan? Give the plan name from your card, not only the insurance company.
- What do follow-ups cost, and how often are they? The first visit is not the only cost.
- Can I get this in writing before the appointment? If you are self-pay, this is the good faith estimate.
How to get an exact number for your visit
Step 1: Call, text, or email
Call or text 480-660-2160, or email support@betterplacenow.com. The team asks for what is needed to schedule you, not health details.
Step 2: Benefits are verified
The team checks your insurance and tells you your expected copay or self-pay rate before the visit. Most replies come within one business day.
Step 3: Choose a time
Secure video appointments are offered in the evening and on weekends. Visits by video are open to patients physically in Arizona, and in-person visits in the Phoenix area are available by arrangement.
Better Place Now's plans and prices are on one page: insurance and self-pay, with guides for AHCCCS and Medicare. When you are ready, you can request an appointment. If you want to know how the visit itself works first, the guide to telehealth psychiatry in Arizona walks through it.
Common questions
Do I need a referral to book?
No. You can reach out directly. If your insurance requires a specialist referral, the team will let you know while verifying your benefits.
Is the first visit more expensive than a follow-up?
Yes. The first visit is a full 60 minutes and the self-pay rate is $220. A 30-minute follow-up is $120 self-pay. With insurance you pay your plan’s copay or coinsurance instead.
What if I have Medicare or AHCCCS?
Traditional Medicare, AHCCCS and related plans appear on the plan list. Participation and what you owe depend on your specific plan, so benefits are verified before scheduling is confirmed.
Where do visits take place?
Secure telehealth visits are available statewide, and you must be physically located in Arizona at the time of the visit. In-person appointments are available in the Phoenix area by arrangement.
Sources
- Deductible (glossary) (opens in a new tab). HealthCare.gov, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Copayment (glossary) (opens in a new tab). HealthCare.gov, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Coinsurance (glossary) (opens in a new tab). HealthCare.gov, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Understand your rights and protections against surprise medical bills (opens in a new tab). U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Finding mental health care (opens in a new tab). National Institute of Mental Health, 2026.
