The patient/psychiatrist relationship is of the utmost importance in any mode of psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment. The following are policies pertaining to my practice. These are designed to promote a strong, fair and predictable framework to support the patient/psychiatrist relationship, and to allow the work of treatment to proceed well.
While the following are my regular policies, I understand that sometimes exceptions need to be made, and I am open to discussion about specific arrangements. They are also not exhaustive, and issues falling outside these guidelines will be considered on a case by case basis.
These policies are subject to change at my discretion.
Privacy
I take your privacy very seriously, and maintain extremely high standards to protect that privacy. Except in the case of an emergency involving a danger to you or others, or if ordered to do so by a court of law, I will not share your information with anyone, unless you allow me to ( See Release of Information Form for formal release of written documentation).
There may be times when I feel it is in your best interest for me to discuss your treatment information with someone else, such as another doctor, or a family member. Again, except in the case of an emergency, I will not do so without your agreement (although you should be aware that legally, I can speak with another doctor without your permission).
Fees
My fee for consultation and treatment is $400 per session. If you are unable to afford my fee between your own contribution and that of any insurance, then we can discuss a fee reduction, or sliding scale. If we cannot agree on a fee that is manageable for you and acceptable to me, then I will do my best to help refer you to treatment you can afford. Discussions about fee take place during our first few sessions, but if there is a change in your financial circumstances, or when I increase the fee, which I do at periodic intervals, fees can be reevaluated farther on in the treatment.
Payment
I accept payment by check, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or credit card via Square or Stripe. There is a discount for payment by check, Zelle, or cash.
Payment is expected as soon as possible upon receipt of your bill, but no later than the last day of the month in which you receive the bill, unless prior arrangements have been made. I generally bill monthly, and will give you your bill at the beginning of the month following the month for which the bill is due. So, for example, the January bill will be given to you the first week of February, and payment is expected by the end of February. For those patients seen once a month or less frequently, payment is expected no later than two weeks from the date of your appointment.
Virtual Treatment and Covid-19
Due to Covid-19, I have begun seeing patients virtually via a platform called, Doxy. I will continue to work virtually, except in unusual circumstances, until further notice. I plan to resume in-person treatment when it is sufficiently safe to do so.
Insurance
I do not accept any insurance. I also do not have or submit insurance forms, but you are free to do so if your insurance has out-of-network coverage. Your bill will include all the information your insurance company will need for processing: dates of sessions with appropriate treatment code(s); ICD-10 diagnosis code(s); my National Provider Index (NPI) number; and my Tax ID number (EIN).
I accept payment directly from you, and not from your insurance company. I expect payment in the time-frame described above in the Payment section, regardless of when or whether your insurance company reimburses you.
Cancellation
I have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel a session less than 48 hours before its scheduled time, you will be responsible for full payment for that missed session. Insurance companies will not reimburse for these sessions. However, if I am able to reschedule your appointment within the same time period, you will not be charged for the missed session. For example, if we meet once a week on Tuesdays, and you cancel the session on Monday, I will try to see you some time during the same week, if possible. If an alternative time cannot be found during that week, you will be charged for a missed session. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to find an additional time to see you.
If you need to miss a session and you let me know more than 48-hours in advance, you will not be charged, and if you wish, we can try to find an alternative time to meet in that time period.
Planned, extended absences need to be discussed with me well ahead of time. In this situation, there will be a fee of $50 per missed session to reserve that time slot.
If you miss more than 2 sessions without prior notice, you will be responsible for payment for those sessions, and you will forfeit your usual time.
You are not responsible for payment for any session that I cancel.
Prescriptions
Barring any unforeseen technological difficulty, I submit all prescriptions electronically, as required by New York State law. The software can access your claims history, so I can see what other providers have prescribed for you, but only if you give me specific permission to do so (See Claims History Form), which you may rescind at any time. Access to claims records can be helpful, but is not necessary for your treatment.
It is your responsibility to keep track of when your prescriptions are due to run out. Please let me know several days in advance of your last dose. In the case of mail order prescriptions, it is safest to let me know at least two weeks in advance.
Pharmacies and the electronic prescription software will let me know when a refill is due, but they do not take into account any changes in your medication regimen that may have been made since the last prescription, so this is not a reliable method of guaranteeing a timely refill. You are the best source of that information.
Communication
If you need to get in touch with me outside the office, the best way to do so is by phone. My office number is: 212.228.4633; and my cell is: 917.514.2785. Both my voice mails are confidential.
You can feel free to text my cell, rather than call, but except in emergencies, please text only about routine matters like scheduling, and do not include sensitive information. If you are comfortable doing so, you can text me about prescription renewals. For routine matters, please restrict texting from 9am to 9pm.
I do not communicate with patients via email except in unusual circumstances. I recognize that this is inconvenient, but email lacks privacy, and is an inefficient and unreliable mode of communication.
Finally, please feel free to address questions about my policies with me.