Office Policies:
Initial Appointment/ Psychiatric Evaluation:
The initial appointment is a chance for the provider to get to know you, perform an evaluation and decide the appropriate course of treatment for you. It is also an opportunity for you to determine your comfort level in continuing to work with the provider. It should be understood that meeting for the first time does not guarantee that the provider can continue to see you as a patient and may need to refer you to a more appropriate level of care or provider.
Services Provided
The primary focus of a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP), Physician Assistant (PA), is to provide psychiatric medication management services in a supportive environment. Although our NPs are trained in psychotherapy, it is often times more beneficial to see a therapist in our office or the community if you choose to do so. This is particularly helpful if you need frequent appointments and contact to address deeper issues and concerns. The nature of the therapeutic relationship between our patients and prescribers is determined on a case by case basis.
Appointments
All patients are to be seen on an appointment only basis. If you arrive late, your appointment will only be able to continue for the length that it was originally scheduled for, or may need to be rescheduled entirely in order to be considerate to other scheduled clients. Appointments must be cancelled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance in order to avoid a cancellation fee ($50).
Please note that missed appointments are not reimbursed by insurance companies and you will be subject to a no show or late cancellation fee based on level of care. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances only. Please also note that this fee must be paid before your next appointment.
Payments
If your insurance plan requires you to pay a co-pay, deductible, or coinsurance, please be aware that the payment must be paid in full on the day of your visit. We reserve the right to not reschedule an appointment with you should you have an outstanding balance on your account. In extreme cases, large running balances may result in termination of services and your account may be turned over to a collection agency should the need arise. Co-pays not paid within 2 days of your visit will result in a $15 charge.
Insurance
Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care doctor or authorization from your insurance company. You are responsible for knowing your mental health coverage benefits in order to ensure your visit with the provider is covered. We do accept most major insurances so please make sure we have your most current insurance card on file. Should your plan change, please notify our office immediately. If you have questions regarding other insurance plans, please ask.
Prescription Policies
Please provide AT LEAST 5 business days notice prior to running out of medication and requesting a refill. Failure to do so may result in your prescription not being filled in a timely manner. Please have your medication and pharmacy information available with you request. We will try to schedule your next appointment prior to you running out of medication. If you miss an appointment and need a controlled substance refilled prior to your next visit, please be aware you will need to wait until your next scheduled appointment.
Self Pay Rates:
Evaluation/ First Appointment-
- $320 (NP and PA)
- $250 (Therapy)
Follow ups:
- $175 (NP and PA)
- $250 (Therapy)
Termination of Treatment:
We reserve the right to terminate treatment with a patient if there is a breakdown in rapport that makes it difficult or impossible to continue offering treatment. This could be due to threatening or abusive behavior towards office staff, sexual advances, repeated no-shows, treatment non-compliance that jeopardizes patient’s safety, refusal to follow the treatment plan or violating the terms of the treatment contract such as failure to pay bills and/or being in the collection.
Emergency and Urgent Calls:
If you are in a situation in which your physical health or safety is in danger, or someone close to you is in danger, please call 911, text to 988, or proceed to the nearest emergency room for service.
For other questions please call the office and leave a message including your name, contact number(s), and reason for calling and I will make every effort to return your call the same day. Messages left late in the day or on weekends/holidays may not be returned until the following business day.
Contacting Clinician:
Some of our clinicians choose to give their personal cell phone numbers to their patients. This being said, your signature acknowledges that you have been informed and are agreeing that the personal contact of the provider is not appropriate in case of an emergency. You’re acknowledging that in an emergency you will contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You also acknowledge that contacting a clinician does not take the place of an actual appointment. The abuse of this privilege will result in the loss of this privilege and is at the provider’s discretion. You are acknowledging that this is a PERSONAL cell phone and the provider has no obligation to return communication and it is not to be treated as the primary line of communication in reaching the office / provider.