Do I need a referral to get an appointment?
You do not need a referral to come in for an evaluation. You can call and set up an appointment for yourself or your child if needed. Sometimes the primary care physicians may send a referral for appointments.
What will the first visit be like?
On your first visit the doctor will ask about the difficulties and issues affecting you. At the end of the visit, he will explain to you the concerns and will discuss the various treatment options. If any medication is recommended, he will explain the risks and benefits.
How often will I have to return for visits?
It depends on the acuity of the clinical condition and treatment recommendations. If a medicine is prescribed, it is monitored closely at the beginning to make sure you are not experiencing any uncomfortable side effects. Most of patients return for a visit once every 1 to 3 months if they are stable and doing well on their medication.
What is a board certified Psychiatrist?
While a medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice. This endorses a board certified physician’s commitment and expertise in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting. Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organizations look for the board certification as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty.
Will I need to take a medication?
After the assessment the doctor will be able to discuss with you the options for treatment that may include medication, or therapy. The treatment plans are individualized to meet the goals for your treatment and improving your functional capacity and maintaining optimum health.
Why medications are prescribed?
Medications have become a mainstay for many psychiatric conditions. It is important to use them promptly if the conditions are causing distress and difficulty in functioning. Many people tolerate psychotropic medications without difficulty, but it must be acknowledged that they can also have unpleasant side effects. As such, it is important to use psychotropic medications only when they are really necessary, and whenever possible, other approaches should be considered.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy commonly called “Talk Therapy” is a modality of treatment prescribed separately or in combination with medications. It may utilize insight, persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, and instruction so that patients may see themselves and their problems more realistically and have the desire to cope effectively with them. It aims to increase the individual’s sense of their own well being.
What are different types of therapy?
There are various types of psychotherapy such as cognative behavior therapy (CBT), family therapy, supportive therapy,interpersonal therapy, brief therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Recommendation for therapy is based on individual needs and issues addressed in treatment.
Will Insurance pay for my visits?
The mental health benefits are usually different from the benefits for general medical visits. We do work with insurances but many insurance companies require a call from the patient for a pre-authorization for services before your initial appointment.
Please call your insurance to verify the benefits for mental health treatment.
What are Insurance Benefits Limitations and Exclusions?
Coverage determinations and payments of claims are subject to all the eligibility, coverage, exclusions, and limitations listed in your contract. We strongly encourage verifying your network benefits prior to your initial consultation.
What if Insurance does not cover services / don’t have Insurance / don’t want use Insurance ?
We understand these circumstances, please call the office for more information and self pay visit.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with us, we can determine what is best treatment options for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental health issues and emotional problems cannot be solved solely by medication alone. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. If medication is needed, doctor will explain the needs, benefits side effects so you are comfortable with your treatment decisions.
What is the cancellation / no show policy?
If you must change or cancel your appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance by calling the office directly. If you are unable to cancel your appointment at least 24hours in advance, you will be charged a $50.00 fee. This policy is in respect of the time dedicated to your care, scheduling, paper work and most importantly time commitment that could be available to someone else in need for services.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as HMA strives to provide the best possible quality care to all of our patients.
