Scheduling & intake
Get started with OpenGate.
Call Damon Laird about the evaluation, education or outpatient counseling you've been asked to complete. He will explain the intake process and what to provide.
Before your appointment
Services are individualized. Before you begin, Damon will discuss what your services involve and the cost with you directly. You will also receive a written Good Faith Estimate.
Contact OpenGate for secure submission instructions before sending records.
What to have ready
- Identification: A government-issued ID
- Contact information: Contact information for your attorney, court, probation/parole officer, or WYDOT, if applicable
- Case details: The instructions you received, any forms that need to be completed, and any court date or deadline.
- Records: Any prior substance use evaluation, clinical recommendation, or relevant records. If another provider has already completed your evaluation and recommended Wyoming impaired-driving education, OpenGate can provide that education through Prime For Life® Individual Adult Education after reviewing the evaluation and recommendation. If the recommendation is Outpatient Counseling (ASAM Level 1.5), OpenGate can provide that counseling when Level 1.5 remains clinically appropriate.
- Telehealth setup: For appointments by secure video telehealth (online), a private, quiet setting and reliable internet connection.
- Payment: A payment method for billable services
Appointment options, Colorado eligibility & telehealth
Appointments are available by secure video telehealth (online) to adults physically located anywhere in Wyoming. In-person appointments are available at the Casper office by appointment only. No walk-ins.
OpenGate provides eligible Wyoming services by secure video telehealth (online) to adults physically located in Colorado when the requested service falls within Damon’s Colorado LCSW scope. Eligible Wyoming matters include a requested evaluation, service, or documentation connected to a Wyoming court, attorney, probation/parole office, WYDOT, or another Wyoming referral source. OpenGate does not provide Colorado-approved DUI Level I or Level II education or treatment.
For appointments by secure video telehealth (online), identity and physical location are verified at each session.
Audio-only telephone may be used for any service or portion of a service when Damon determines it is clinically appropriate and consistent with applicable law, WDH rules and requirements, licensure, professional standards, and the client's circumstances.
Payment & eligibility
OpenGate is a direct-pay practice. All clients pay OpenGate directly.
As an OpenGate practice policy, individuals enrolled in Medicare, including Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid/Medicaid managed care are not accepted for any OpenGate service, including Prime For Life® education.
Payment, insurance & government health programs
Direct Pay
OpenGate is a direct-pay practice. All clients pay OpenGate directly. OpenGate does not bill insurance, obtain payer authorizations, submit claims, appeal benefit decisions, or communicate with third-party payers on a client's behalf. The term "direct-pay" here describes OpenGate's payment workflow and is separate from the federal definition of "uninsured or self-pay" used for Good Faith Estimate rights.
Private/Commercial Insurance and Superbills
For clients with private/commercial insurance, OpenGate can provide a superbill upon request for the client to submit directly to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed. A superbill may contain service and diagnostic information, and clients decide whether to submit it.
Government Health Programs
OpenGate does not participate in or bill Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, VA Community Care, or similar government health programs. As an OpenGate practice policy, individuals enrolled in Medicare, including Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid/Medicaid managed care are not accepted for any OpenGate service, including Prime For Life® education. Other government coverage, such as TRICARE, CHAMPVA, or VA benefits, does not by itself determine eligibility. Contact OpenGate to confirm whether true private-pay service is permissible when the client personally pays OpenGate and there is no government-program involvement.
Good Faith Estimate rights
For Good Faith Estimate purposes, federal law uses a specific definition of "uninsured or self-pay." Clients who meet that definition may have specific Good Faith Estimate rights under the No Surprises Act. OpenGate provides Good Faith Estimates in accordance with applicable federal requirements.
Read Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate and download the English/Spanish rights notice.
Recording & privacy
OpenGate does not record or transcribe sessions, telehealth encounters, or clinical calls. OpenGate does not consent to, and its policy prohibits, recording, photographing, screen capture, livestreaming, transcription, or other capture by clients, participants, observers, attorneys, agencies, platforms, AI tools, or other persons or entities, except as otherwise required by law. Any recording or capture required by law must comply with applicable notice and consent requirements.
Questions before you begin?
When you call or email OpenGate, you communicate directly with Damon.