Estimator

Sources & methods

Where the estimator gets the editable defaults for rates, annual assumptions, and overhead.

Assumption How the default is set Sources Confidence and limits
Private-pay rateMixed Credential base x state index x metro/non-metro modifier x experience multiplier, rounded to the nearest $5. SimplePractice: state/session-rate anchor. Zencare: credential calibration. BLS OEWS + CMS RVU26C: missing-state proxies. research/v2/private-pay-rates.md: metro/experience calibration. GoodTherapy: range check. Profile-dependent. Stronger with published state values; weaker for pre-licensed, experience, metro, and proxy-filled states.
Insurance rateLow CMS non-facility 90837 rate x 65% commercial planning point. The visible planning range is 50%-80% of Medicare. CMS RVU26C: Medicare backbone. TheraThink rates + comparison: commercial range. 65% is the midpoint planning default. CMS math is high-confidence. Commercial reimbursement is low-confidence because contracts vary by payer, plan, license, CPT, and market.
Annual assumptionsMedium 48 working weeks and 10% missed or late-cancel sessions. Weekly session count stays user-controlled. Internal note: research/v2/caseload-norms.md; source file: Therapy-Private-Practice-Roadmap/research/comprehensive-costs.md. 48 weeks is a solid planning default. Absence rate should be changed for a known cancellation policy or established caseload.
Practice-shape presetsPreset Each preset splits the current weekly session count across private, sliding, insurance, and reduced-fee rows. Built-in ratios: private-pay 52/13/26/9; balanced 39/17/31/13; insurance 22/13/52/13; access 26/26/31/17. These are scenario presets, not external benchmarks. Edit the session counts directly when you know the mix.
Overhead presetsMedium Telehealth costs plus monthly share of annual insurance/admin items. Hybrid and office presets add office rent. SimplePractice: EHR. Doxy.me + local notes: telehealth. Psychology Today listing cost + local notes: marketing. Insureon: insurance. Heard: bookkeeping/tax. research/v2/overhead-costs.md: phone/email, office rent, local cost ranges. Vendor prices are direct. Office rent, marketing, bookkeeping, and insurance should be replaced with known costs when available.

Confidence: high means official data or direct pricing; medium means direct sources plus calibration; low means a broad planning range; mixed means the row combines stronger and weaker inputs.

Use: these are starting defaults for planning, not quotes, tax advice, billing advice, legal advice, or clinical advice.