POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Clients are required to complete and complete an intake form before their initial appointment. The form highlights office fees and outlines the policies and procedures that define the expectations between you as the client and the provider. Effective collaboration between service providers and clients relies on a shared understanding of service objectives and standards.
APPOINTMENTS
- Please arrive on time for your appointment.
- Late arrival of 15 minutes or more may result in rescheduling and a $100.00 charge for initial evaluations and an $75.00 charge for other appointment types.
- To reschedule, contact the office, but be aware that missing multiple appointments may result in dismissal from the practice.
- If you fail to cancel an appointment in advance, you will be billed for the missed appointment.
MEDICATION REFILLS AND OTHER CLINICAL NEEDS
- For life-threatening or emergent needs, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
- For clinical/medication needs, call the office and leave a message, and non-urgent calls are typically returned by the next business day.
- Prescription refills outside of office appointments may incur a $35.00 fee.
- Text messages and emails are addressed as time permits.
INSURANCE
- If SERENITY PYSCIATRY is not in a contract with your insurance provider or if your visit is considered a non-covered service, you will be responsible for the associated charges. We do, however, accept the following insurances:
- United Health care, Oxford, Aetna, Oscar Health, Cigna, Blue cross, Blue Shield of Texas
PAYMENT
We offer several convenient payment options for your ease of use:
DEBIT/CREDIT CARD: We utilize Square to process debit and credit card payments. Please be aware that this method incurs a transaction fee.
DEBIT/CREDIT CARD ON FILE: It is mandatory to have your debit/credit card information securely within our electronic health record system. This information will be considered “on file” and can be used for co-pays and any remaining balances older than 60 days.
By providing this information, you authorize SERENITY PSYCHIATRY to charge the debit/credit card on file for balances more than 60 days overdue. This includes payments for missed appointments and fees that are not reimbursed or covered by your insurance. This ensures a seamless and timely billing process for your convenience
CASH : Another alternative is to pay with cash.
PAST DUE ACCOUNTS
Your responsibility extends to any remaining balance after insurance claims have been filed. In the event that you have not settled your account in full within 60 days, your account may be handed over to a collection agency. It’s important to note that if your account is referred to a collection agency, they will report your past due status to a Credit Reporting Agency, and you will be responsible for any associated fees.
By agreeing to these terms, you consent to SERENITY PSYCHIATRY contacting you via various means, which include telephone, electronic messages, mail, or cell phone. These communications may be initiated by the medical provider, or by individuals offering services within the provider’s facilities, or on behalf of the provider. These communications encompass various aspects, such as scheduling, treatment, and payment for services rendered. They may include methods such as automatic telephone dialing systems, artificial or prerecorded voices, or calls to telephone numbers assigned to paging services, cellular telephone services, specialized mobile radio services, or other radio common carrier services (referred to as “Authorized Communications”).
It’s important to note that your agreement to the terms of the Patient Consent and Assignment of Insurance Benefits is not a condition for receiving treatment. You consent to these authorized communication methods, even if they incur a fee or cost on your end. Should you wish to revoke the consent and authorizations you have provided, this must be done in writing and addressed to the relevant entity.
Benzodiazepine Policy
At Serenity Psychiatry, we exercise extreme caution in prescribing benzodiazepines, which are medications such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Our approach is to prescribe them rarely and only under specific circumstances.
Consideration for benzodiazepine prescriptions will primarily be given to patients with a valid diagnosis that necessitates ongoing usage. However, we will require an agreement from the patient to taper off completely while exploring more suitable, long-term alternatives. This policy aligns with the current medical understanding that prolonged use of benzodiazepines may potentially lead to increased anxiety and cognitive aging.
It’s essential to acknowledge that benzodiazepines carry significant risks, including the potential for fatal overdoses, especially when combined with alcohol and/or opiate painkillers. Furthermore, they can lead to tolerance, dependence, and abuse. As such, our practice takes a cautious and conservative approach to their prescription to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients.
Stimulant Policy
For the management of ADHD symptoms, stimulant medications such as Vyvanse, Adderall, and Ritalin are considered the first line of treatment. It’s important to note that while these medications can be highly effective, they also carry the potential for tolerance, dependency, and abuse. As a result, their use is under strict control.
The FDA has recognized the need for alternatives and has approved non-controlled drugs for the treatment of ADHD in both adults and children. This decision reflects the commitment to finding safer and effective treatment options while minimizing the potential risks associated with stimulant medications. Our practice follows these guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients when treating ADHD.
COMPLETION OF FORMS
We want to bring to your attention that a fee is associated with the completion of various forms, which include but are not limited to: Disability forms, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) forms, Leave of Absence forms.
- Letters related to flying and airline tickets, Therapeutic pet documentation, Coverage of medications documentation, Letters addressed to employers, In all cases, we are committed to transparency and will always inform you of any charges upfront. You may be required to make the payment before we proceed with the completion and release of the requested forms. This approach ensures clear communication and allows for a smooth and efficient process when handling these types of documentation.