How long will I have to wait to get an appointment?
I understand that it is important to get an appointment as soon as possible. If I am able to accept new patients, I do my best to schedule an appointment within one week. If your schedule is flexible during the day it will be easier to schedule an appointment.
What can I expect to happen in my first appointment?
The first appointment is one hour long. In this appointment, we will gather history, define what needs to be treated, work on an accurate diagnosis, and discuss treatment plan options. Depending on our treatment plan, medication may be started that first day.
What is Telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry visits are just like any other medical appointments- the only difference is they are conducted via live video conferencing instead of coming into the office. I use a HIPAA compliant connection to keep your protected health information safe. Telepsychiatry visits can be a welcome solution for challenges that make it hard to come to appointments including time pressures at work, transportation issues, or childcare difficulties.
To learn more about telepsychiatry click https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-telepsychiatry
Can I schedule a telepsychiatry appointment? How do I do it?
Due to federal laws regarding telepsychiatry, there are certain medications (controlled substances) that cannot be prescribed via telepsychiatry without an in-person visit. If you are on one of those medications, it will be important for you to come into the office for your initial appointment before I can prescribe using telepsychiatry.
If we have scheduled a telepsychiatry visit, you can download Zoom onto your phone or computer. Zoom provides HIPAA compliant video conferencing. You will connect with me via my meeting room ID which is my phone number: 203 906 6294
You can also click on this link here to bring you to my meeting room:
What is your cancellation policy?
To avoid being charged in full for a missed appointment, please provide 48-hour notice for your cancellation.
Do you take insurance?
I am not on any insurance plans. I would be considered an out-of-network provider.
What does “Out-of-Network” mean?
Out-of-network means I am not a contracted provider on your insurance plan. If you would like to seek reimbursement for your visits, call your insurance to find out what your out-of-network benefits are. It is important to find out what your deductible is, and then once your deductible is met, what percent the insurance company will reimburse you for visits. Payment is expected at the time of service and any reimbursement from the insurance will be paid directly to you. If you are on Medicaid or Medicare you will not be covered for out-of-network visits.
Are you on Medicare?
I have Opted-out of Medicare which means you will not be able to get any reimbursement for visits with me.
Is treatment confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between doctors and patients. No information is disclosed without prior written permission. However, there are some exceptions to this rule that are required by law. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse, dependent adult, or elder abuse. The provider is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a patient is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The provider is required to notify the police.
- If a patient intends to harm himself or herself. The provider will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
Does everyone get put on medication?
There are many factors that contribute to the decision if medication is an indicated treatment for you. We will start to figure this out at the first appointment. Sometimes starting with therapy first is the best option. Therapy can help address the causes of distress and behavior patterns that get in the way of progress. In many cases, a combination of medication and therapy can lead to sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being.
How do you treat opiate dependence?
I am licensed to prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and we will decide together if that is the best option to help treat your opiate dependence. I check the prescription monitoring program which tracks all controlled substances and I also do drug screens in the office. I believe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a helpful tool in many people’s recovery but that it isn’t the only tool that should be used. Twelve-step, individual or group therapy, and/or treating comorbid conditions (like anxiety, depression, bipolar) can be essential for long-term recovery.