What care costs, and what we accept
Arkansas Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance. A sliding fee scale if you have none.
The Guidance Center accepts Arkansas Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance plans. If you do not have insurance, you pay a reduced fee on a sliding scale based on your household income and family size. No one is turned away from The Guidance Center for inability to pay. Call (479) 452-6650 and staff will tell you what you will owe before your first appointment.
Coverage details last verified August 2026.
What insurance does The Guidance Center accept?
The Guidance Center accepts the coverage types below at all 9 clinic locations across western Arkansas.
| Coverage | Status | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Medicaid | Accepted | No cost for covered behavioral health servicesIncludes Medicaid-managed care plans (PASSE). Bring your Medicaid card to your first visit. |
| Medicare | Accepted | Standard Medicare copay or coinsuranceMedicare Advantage plans vary. Call (479) 452-6650 to confirm yours before your first visit. |
| Private and employer insurance | Most plans accepted | Your plan copay, coinsurance or deductibleWe verify your benefits before your first appointment and tell you what you will owe. |
| No insurance (sliding fee scale) | Accepted | A reduced fee based on household income and family sizeBring proof of income. We calculate your fee before you are seen, not after. |
| Self-pay | Accepted | A flat published rate per serviceAsk for the self-pay rate when you schedule. |
| Unable to pay | Still seen | Nothing, in cases covered by grant fundingNo one is turned away from The Guidance Center for inability to pay. |
Plans we accept by name
- Arkansas Medicaid
- Medicare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Ambetter
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- QualChoice
Not sure which plan you have? Call (479) 452-6650 and staff will check your benefits for you.
What if I cannot afford to pay?
You will still be seen. The Guidance Center is a nonprofit community mental health center, and grant funding covers care for people who cannot pay. That has been true since the organization was founded in 1971.
If you are uninsured, ask about the sliding fee scale when you call. Your fee is set from your household income and family size, and it is calculated before you are seen rather than billed to you afterward.
View the current sliding fee scale (PDF)What should I bring to my first appointment?
- •A photo ID
- •Your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare card
- •A list of medications you currently take
- •Proof of household income, only if you want the sliding fee scale
Is the crisis line free?
Yes. The 24-hour crisis line is free to call at any hour, with or without insurance. Call 479-999-9911. You do not need to be an existing patient and you will not be billed for the call.
Insurance and cost questions
Does The Guidance Center accept Arkansas Medicaid?
Yes. The Guidance Center accepts Arkansas Medicaid, including Medicaid-managed care (PASSE) plans, for covered behavioral health services. Bring your Medicaid card to your first appointment. Call (479) 452-6650 if you are not sure which plan you have.
Which insurance plans does The Guidance Center accept?
The Guidance Center accepts Arkansas Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna and QualChoice. If your plan is not listed, call (479) 452-6650 and staff will check your benefits, since plan participation changes. Verified August 2026.
What if I do not have insurance?
You can still be seen. The Guidance Center offers a sliding fee scale that reduces your cost based on your household income and family size. Bring proof of income to your first visit and staff will calculate your fee before you are seen. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
How much does counseling cost at The Guidance Center?
What you pay depends on your coverage. With Arkansas Medicaid, covered behavioral health services have no cost to you. With private insurance or Medicare, you pay your plan copay or coinsurance. Without insurance, you pay a reduced sliding-scale fee based on household income and family size. Call (479) 452-6650 for an estimate before you schedule.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
No referral is needed for most services at The Guidance Center. You can call (479) 452-6650 to schedule an appointment yourself. Some Medicare Advantage and private plans require a referral from a primary care provider, so check your plan if you are unsure.
Does insurance cover the 24-hour crisis line?
The 24-hour crisis line is free. Call 479-999-9911 at any hour, with or without insurance. You do not need to be an existing patient and you will not be billed for the call.
Does The Guidance Center accept Medicare?
Yes. The Guidance Center accepts Medicare. You pay your standard Medicare copay or coinsurance. Medicare Advantage plans vary by plan, so call (479) 452-6650 to confirm yours before your first visit.
Is telehealth covered the same as an in-person visit?
In most cases yes. The Guidance Center offers telehealth counseling and psychiatric appointments, and most plans, including Arkansas Medicaid, cover them at the same rate as an in-person visit. Call (479) 452-6650 to confirm coverage for your plan.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance or Medicaid card, and a list of any medications you take. If you do not have insurance and want the sliding fee scale, also bring proof of household income, such as a recent pay stub or a tax return.
Ready to get an estimate?
Call and staff will verify your benefits and tell you what you will owe before you schedule.