Dr. Arnold Shapiro is a board-certified psychiatrist with 35+ years of experience who runs a small, private, out-of-network practice in Cincinnati and Fort Wright, KY. Patients pay at the time of the visit and receive a superbill, the office submits claims to their insurance company twice a month, and HSA and FSA payment is accepted. In return, an evaluation includes about two hours of face-to-face time for adults and about three hours for children, and the same psychiatrist follows your care.
What “private” and “out-of-network” mean here
Out-of-network means the practice is not a contracted provider with insurance companies. You pay for the visit out of pocket up front, and as a courtesy the office submits your claims to your insurance company twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th. You may also submit the superbill yourself through your insurance company’s portal, by mail, or by fax.
How much comes back to you depends on your specific plan and benefits. Because the practice is not a contracted provider, your insurance company is not allowed to share your reimbursement information with the office. Once the claim is processed, what they pay you appears on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). To know what to expect, call your insurance company and ask about your out-of-network behavioral health benefits.
How payment works
- Payment is collected at the time of your visit by cash, personal check, or major credit card
- HSA and FSA payment is accepted
- After each visit you receive a superbill, a detailed receipt with the diagnostic and procedure codes your insurance company needs
- The office submits claims to your insurance company twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th
- Reimbursement depends on your plan and is not guaranteed
What the private model changes about your care
Dr. Shapiro chose to stay out of network so that he can spend the time needed with each patient and make treatment decisions based on clinical judgment. In practice, that shows up in four ways.
More time
An evaluation includes about two hours of face-to-face time for adults and about three hours for children. Follow-up visits for medication management run about 30 to 45 minutes.
Two clinicians, one chart
A therapist and Dr. Shapiro work as a single team and share one record, so you do not have to repeat yourself and nothing falls between the cracks.
The same psychiatrist
Dr. Shapiro follows your care over the long run. The practice is small on purpose.
Reachable between visits
Questions between visits can be called in to the office, and calls are returned the same business day.
What an evaluation involves
The evaluation is the core of how the practice works, so it is worth knowing what you are paying for. Evaluations for children and teens have three parts: an hour with the parents, an hour with the child or teen, and an hour with Dr. Shapiro and the whole family together.
For adults
- Rating scales are sent ahead of time to give a structured baseline
- One hour with the therapist, who takes detailed written notes
- The therapist and Dr. Shapiro discuss the picture together, and Dr. Shapiro reviews the notes and writes his own
- One hour with Dr. Shapiro to go over the possible diagnoses in plain language, explore treatment options, and decide together how to proceed
- You leave with a plan and a backup plan
Talking about cost before you commit
Fees are discussed openly on your very first phone call, before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises. This page does not list fees, because the office goes over them with you directly.
There is no pressure to decide on the spot. Many people take the information home and talk it over with a spouse, partner, or family member before deciding. When you are ready, you call the office back at the main number and say that you would like to move forward — you do not have to go through intake again.
When an in-network psychiatrist may be the better fit
A private, out-of-network practice is not the right choice for every family. If the fees would add real financial stress on top of what is already happening, the office will say so honestly and help you think about finding someone in network.
Your information is yours. You can take it with you to a different doctor if that is a better fit for your situation, and there is no pressure to use this practice. If treatment elsewhere is not working, you are welcome to call again.
Where to start
The practice has two offices: Cincinnati (8280 Montgomery Road, Suite 304, Cincinnati, OH 45236) and Fort Wright, Kentucky (1717 Dixie Highway, Suite 200, Fort Wright, KY 41011). Office hours are Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Initial evaluations are held in person, and secure video visits are available for follow-up appointments. To begin, call (859) 341-7453.
Common questions
What does out-of-network mean?
It means the practice is not a contracted provider with insurance companies. You pay at the time of the visit and receive a superbill, and the office submits claims to your insurance company on your behalf twice a month. You can also submit the superbill yourself.
Will my insurance reimburse me?
That depends on your plan. The office cannot see what your plan will pay, because it is not a contracted provider, and the amount you are reimbursed will appear on your Explanation of Benefits. A good first step is to call your insurance company and ask about your out-of-network behavioral health benefits.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. HSA and FSA payment is accepted. You can use your HSA or FSA debit card at the time of your visit, or submit the superbill for reimbursement from your account.
What if the cost would be a strain?
Say so on the first call. If the fees would add real financial stress, the office will tell you honestly and help you think about finding someone in network. There is no pressure to use this practice, and your information is yours to take to another doctor.
Is a private psychiatrist right for everyone?
No. A private, out-of-network practice offers more time per visit and the same psychiatrist over the long run, but it also means paying at the visit and seeking reimbursement from your plan. For some families an in-network psychiatrist is the better fit, especially when cost adds stress. Because fees are discussed on the first call, you can decide with the full picture.