Deposit Policy
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure a spot in a Healing Workshop and must be paid in full before a participant can receive the workshop paperwork. The deposit is non-transferable to another participant, but it may be applied to a future workshop for the registrant. The deposit will be forfeited if a participant does not show up for a Healing Workshop without prior notice. A deposit will only be refunded if Bethesda Workshops or a licensed mental health or medical professional provides written documentation that the participant is not an appropriate candidate for Bethesda Workshops. The deposit will also be refunded if the participant enters an inpatient treatment facility (at least a three-week program) before the beginning of his/her registered workshop. At the conclusion of that program, the participant can ask the treatment facility to provide proof of attendance (including the dates) and Bethesda Workshops will refund the deposit.
Payment Options
Participants are encouraged to pay the total workshop fee upfront. A participant must pay at least one-half of the total workshop fee (including the deposit) before the workshop begins. Bethesda Workshops offers a no-interest payment plan for the remaining half of the workshop fee to anyone who requests it. That balance must be paid 30 days (ideally) or 60 days (maximum) after the workshop and must be automatically billed to a debit or credit card; no checks are accepted for payment plans. A fully executed Promise to Pay must be submitted and approved by the time the paperwork is due if the balance is not already paid in full.
Insurance
Insurance providers do not cover the cost of a Healing Workshop, and we cannot provide a superbill or documentation that satisfies insurance company requirements. As a workshop program, we do not make any formal diagnosis of participants, which is required for insurance reimbursement. We also cannot provide a procedure code, which describes the treatment setting and type of treatment provided. An intensive workshop doesn’t fit into any insurance-acceptable categories of treatment, which usually must be individual therapy, group therapy, or a hospital or inpatient program. Our workshop fee also includes lodging and meals, which aren’t allowed outside a residential or hospital setting.
Typically, the requirements for using a Health Savings Account for payment are the same as qualifying for insurance reimbursement, though some HSAs pay for “therapy.” It’s up to the workshop attendee to determine if the fee can be paid using HSA funds. Bethesda Workshops can provide a statement of account that verifies participation in a workshop, the date, and the amount paid.
Scholarship Program
Bethesda Workshops has limited funds available for scholarships to those who qualify. Applicants must submit a scholarship application to be considered for funds. Scholarship funds cannot be used for the non-refundable deposit; that amount is due from the participant. The scholarship application must be submitted and approved before the workshop begins.
Workshop Transfer Policy
A participant has two opportunities to transfer to a future workshop (possibly requiring a transfer fee) if written notice is provided before the start of the registered intensive. For all Healing Workshops, a transfer fee applies if notice is given less than three weeks before the workshop. If a participant does not attend either of the next two scheduled workshops, the deposit is forfeited. It is the participant’s responsibility to provide written documentation of his/her intent to attend a future workshop. Participants are registered on a first come-first served basis, including those who are transferring from a prior workshop. The transfer fee must be paid, if applicable, to be confirmed for a future workshop.
