Is there coverage after hours or on weekends?
Yes. If you need assistance after hours or on weekends, then please call the main office phone number. Our call service will page the doctor on call. If you have an emergency that requires urgent medical attention at any time, then please dial 911.
How do I use the patient portal?
Make sure that we have your email address on file to send the portal invitation to. The emailed invitation will have a link to set up your account. It is best to login from your desktop computer. You will need to enter patient demographic information and choose a strong password that is at least 8 characters, contains letters, numbers and a symbol. Once your account has been set up, then it will require you to verify that you are a patient by providing our access key. Please contact us to get the access key.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist?
Psychiatrists have gone to medical school and are trained to treat mental health issues. Psychiatrists have received their medical degree before taking additional training in the specialty of psychiatry. Their medical degree is either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Sometimes physical illness or biological imbalances can trigger mental illness, and their medical background allows them to order certain tests and prescribe medications.
Psychologists have a degree in psychology and often have taken advanced studies in the same field achieving a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or PsyD). But they have not received the medical training of a physician. Psychologists tend to focus on the psychological mechanisms of behavior. They diagnose patients/clients and determine treatments based on their observations. They provide support and guidance to help patients make decisions, understand what they’re going through and clarify their feelings to determine their next step better.
Are there specialist psychiatrists?
Psychiatry is a medical specialty but there are sub-specialties in which a psychiatrist may choose to focus on a particular issue, such as addiction, child and adolescent psychiatry or geriatric psychiatry. Some of our doctors have sub-specialties and some just take a particular interest in a certain area, like women’s issues, cultural issues, gender identity, etc. Read our providers’ bios to see if they specialize or take a special interest in a certain area of behavioral health issues.
What is medication management?
Psychiatry is a specialized field of medicine. A psychiatrist can treat mental disorders that may not respond to psychotherapies. Some mental conditions improve with therapy alone, but they may also require more specific medications. A psychiatrist will interview patients, diagnosis their condition and adjust their medications accordingly to provide patients with a path to healing. Many times, a psychiatrist will recommend therapy with a licensed professional after they have diagnosed and prescribed medications to the patient.
What is a copay?
A copayment (or copay) is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered service at the time you receive it.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you owe for covered health care before your health insurance company starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. After you pay your deductible, you usually pay only a copayment or coinsurance for covered services. Your insurance company pays the rest.
What is a coinsurance?
Coinsurance is the percentage of costs of a covered health care service you pay (for example, 20%) after you’ve paid your deductible. Coinsurance is your share of costs for health care expenses based on a percentage of those costs. After you’ve met your deductible, you may be charged the coinsurance for health care services. The cost of the service will be split between you and your insurance company.
Example of deductible/coinsurance: Let’s say your health insurance plan’s allowed amount for an office visit is $100 and your coinsurance is 20%.
- If you’ve paid your deductible: You pay 20% of $100, or $20. The insurance company pays the rest.
- If you haven’t met your deductible: You pay the full allowed amount, $100.
What is Out of pocket maximum/limit (OOP)?
OOP max is the most you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. After you spend this amount on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, your health plan pays 100% of the costs of covered benefits. The out-of-pocket limit doesn’t include your monthly premiums. It also doesn’t include anything you spend for services your plan doesn’t cover.
What is a Prior Authorization (PA)?
It is approval from a health plan that may be required before you get a service or fill a prescription in order for the service or prescription to be covered by your plan. Also, a decision by your health insurer or plan that a health care service, treatment plan, prescription drug or durable medical equipment is medically necessary. Sometimes called prior authorization, prior approval or precertification. Your health insurance or plan may require preauthorization for certain services before you receive them, except in an emergency. Preauthorization isn’t a promise your health insurance or plan will cover the cost.
What is Coordination of Benefits (COB)?
A way to figure out who pays first when 2 or more health insurance plans are responsible for paying the same medical claim.
What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
An arrangement through your employer that lets you pay for many out-of-pocket medical expenses with tax-free dollars. Allowed expenses include insurance copayments and deductibles, qualified prescription drugs, insulin, and medical devices. You decide how much to put in an FSA, up to a limit set by your employer. You aren’t taxed on this money.
If money is left at the end of the year, the employer can offer one of two options (not both):
- You get 2.5 more months to spend the left over money.
- You can carry over up to $500 to spend the next plan year.
What is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) are employer-funded group health plans from which employees are reimbursed tax-free for qualified medical expenses up to a fixed dollar amount per year. Unused amounts may be rolled over to be used in subsequent years. The employer funds and owns the account. Health Reimbursement Accounts are sometimes called Health Reimbursement Arrangements.
What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you can lower your overall health care costs. Some health insurance companies offer HSAs for their high deductible plans. Check with your company. You can also open an HSA through some banks and other financial institutions.
What is a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C)?
A type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, most Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.