Do fees help heal?

Fees for mental health services is a subject that is often discussed but seldom researched. Fee information that pertained to 112 adult outpatients who returned a follow-up questionnaire and 147 who did not return it was reviewed in light of several indices of patients' response to clinic services. The study also assessed impact of change in a facility's billing format. Differences in billing format were in terms of amount of charge and whether fees were per session or lump-sum. Nonparametric statistics were applied to determine any relationship that (a) assessment by the clinic, (b) source of payment, (c) assessment to the patient, and (d) payment had with (a) return to clinic, (b) number of sessions, and (c) reports of help and satisfaction. The only association found was between presence of third-party coverage and likelihood that the patient returned. Change in billing format did not bear upon return to the clinic or satisfaction with services rendered, but did influence payment. Finally, some of the findings suggest that payment is associated with a predisposition to honor requests and obligations.