Out-of-network billing is supposed to make private-pay therapy more accessible.
In reality, it often does the opposite.
Clients hesitate to start because of high upfront costs. Therapists end up dealing with insurance complexity. And even with modern tools, the process still feels fragmented.
That’s why platforms like Thrizer, Mentaya, and Reimbursify have gained traction. Each promises to fix a piece of the problem.
But here’s the issue most comparisons miss:
fixing one part of out-of-network billing often creates friction somewhere else.
So the real question isn’t which platform has the best features.
It’s this:
Which platform actually improves the full experience—for both therapists and clients?
Why out-of-network billing is still broken
At a glance, the model seems simple. According to CMS, medical billing and reimbursement processes can be complex and confusing for patients.:
Clients pay → submit claims → get reimbursed.
But in practice, several things go wrong:
- Clients are asked to pay $150–$250 upfront, reflecting broader trends in healthcare costs highlighted by KFF.
- Reimbursement is slow and unpredictable
- Therapists end up dealing with insurance complexity. The American Medical Association notes that administrative burdens remain a major challenge in healthcare.
Even small amounts of friction here can have a big impact.
Some clients never start, which directly impacts client retention. Others drop off early.
And over time, that affects not just revenue—but the sustainability of a practice.
Where Thrizer, Mentaya, and Reimbursify fit in
Each of these platforms tries to improve a different part of that experience.
Thrizer focuses on reducing the upfront cost barrier. Mentaya focuses on simplifying the claims process. Reimbursify focuses on keeping submission costs low.
None of these are bad approaches. In fact, they each solve a real problem.
But none of them fully solve the entire system.
Thrizer: lowering the barrier to start
One of the biggest reasons clients hesitate to begin therapy is cost.
Thrizer addresses this directly by allowing clients to avoid paying the full session fee upfront. Instead, they pay closer to their expected out-of-pocket cost.
This can make a meaningful difference in whether someone decides to start therapy at all.
However, this model introduces variability in pricing.
Depending on how it’s used, fees can increase—sometimes reaching around 5% per session. Over time, that can make costs less predictable for both therapists and clients.
Thrizer improves access. But it doesn’t fully solve long-term cost consistency.
Mentaya: simplifying the process, at a price
Mentaya takes a different approach.
It focuses on making out-of-network billing feel effortless. Claims are handled end-to-end, and the experience is designed to be as hands-off as possible.
For many therapists, that simplicity is appealing.
But it comes with a consistent fee—typically around 5% per session.
At first, that may not seem significant. But over months of ongoing therapy, those costs add up. And because the fee applies to every session, long-term care becomes more expensive.
Mentaya removes complexity, but introduces a steady, compounding cost.
Reimbursify: cost-effective, but limited
Reimbursify is built around affordability.
It keeps costs low and makes it relatively easy to submit claims. For therapists who want a lightweight tool, it can be a practical option.
But it doesn’t provide full-service support.
Clients and therapists are still responsible for handling follow-ups, dealing with denials, and navigating insurer communication.
In other words, it reduces cost—but not workload.
The bigger pattern
When you step back, a clear pattern emerges.
Each platform improves one part of out-of-network billing:
- making therapy easier to start
- making claims easier to submit
- or making the process cheaper
But each also introduces a new limitation.
And that’s why many therapists still feel like the system isn’t fully working.
A more complete approach
Instead of optimizing for a single feature, some newer platforms are designed to improve the entire experience from end to end.
That means thinking beyond just claims—and focusing on what actually matters in practice:
- Can clients afford to start therapy?
- Will they stay long-term?
- How much time does billing take away from clinical work?
- Are costs predictable over time?
This is where Deputy Care takes a different approach.
Where Deputy Care stands out
Deputy Care is built around a simple idea:
out-of-network billing should not require tradeoffs.
It combines:
- upfront affordability for clients
- full-service claim management
- and transparent, predictable pricing
The goal isn’t just to process claims more efficiently.
It’s to remove friction across the entire experience—so both therapists and clients can focus on care, not billing.
Why this matters more than features
When choosing a billing platform, it’s easy to focus on surface-level comparisons:
fees, features, or interface.
But the real impact shows up elsewhere:
- how many clients actually begin therapy
- how long they stay
- and how much administrative burden exists behind the scenes
A platform that looks cheaper or simpler upfront can end up costing more—in time, stress, or lost clients.
So which platform is best?
The answer depends on what you’re optimizing for.
If you’re solving a single problem—like reducing upfront cost or simplifying submissions—there are tools that can help.
But if the goal is to improve:
- client access
- retention
- and operational simplicity
then the better choice is a platform designed to address all three together.
That’s where Deputy Care positions itself differently.
Final thoughts
Out-of-network billing isn’t just a technical process.
It’s a core part of the client experience—and a key driver of practice growth.
Most platforms improve one part of that system.
But improving one piece isn’t always enough.
👉 The real opportunity is in removing friction across the entire journey.
And that’s exactly what newer, more integrated solutions are aiming to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best out-of-network billing platform for therapists?
The best platform is one that balances affordability, simplicity, and full-service support—without introducing new tradeoffs.
Solutions that focus on only one area often shift complexity elsewhere. More integrated platforms, like Deputy Care, are designed to provide a more complete experience.
Why do many billing tools still create friction?
Because they are built to solve a specific problem, not the entire workflow.
This can lead to gaps in the experience—whether in pricing, support, or usability—that affect both therapists and clients over time.
What should therapists prioritize when choosing a platform?
Beyond cost, it’s important to consider:
- how easy it is for clients to start
- how sustainable therapy is over time
- and how much administrative work is required
These factors tend to have the biggest long-term impact.
Are newer platforms better?
Not always—but many newer solutions are designed with a more holistic view of the problem.
They focus not just on claims, but on improving the full therapy and billing experience.
Bottom line
Out-of-network billing tools are evolving.
The difference is no longer just about features—it’s about who actually removes friction, and who just moves it around.
Deputy Care is built to remove it.
