Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
The law protects the relationship between a patient and a doctor, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
Office Policies
Cancellations:
The fee for a "NO SHOW" or for not cancelling 24 hours before your appt. is $100.00. Unlike medical offices where patients are often overbooked, because of the hour sessions in psychiatry, that is not possible. So while your PCP may charge $35.00 for a missed session (because s/he will simply take the next patient), the $100.00 fee is for a therapy hour that cannot be made up.
PAYMENT IS DUE ON THE DAY OF THE SCHEDULED SERVICE . If you miss the appt without cancelling 24 hours in advance, you must pay through PayPal on this website under "Make a Payment" on first page. Pay by debit or credit card to secured Pay Pal. You will get a receipt to print out.
If you cancel more than once per month (other than surgery, post-op, rehab, or a planned vacation), I will assume that at the current time your commitment to treatment is not a priority, or the “match” with me as your doctor is in some way not working. I will then provide you with referrals to at least 2 other doctors and a clinic setting.
ALL BILLING INQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO MY BILLING SPECIALIST : Becky Mc Lellan 830-556-8658
FORMS/LETTERS/EVALUATIONS & FORMAL ASSESSMENTS:
Standardized Form (short fills-ins or check-offs):
-charge will be $100.00-$175.00, depending on the number of pages.
-must be asked in advance
Composed Letter or Treatment Summary (usually 2-4 pp.):
-charge will be $175.00-$250.00, depending on the number of pages. 6
Formal Assessments (Neuropsychological and/or Personality/I.Q. Batteries:
-charge will be $300.00/hour
-this will include the initial history gathering, the administration of the instruments, the writing/typing of the report, and the discussion of results and/or consultation with the referral source.
Police/Sheriff and Border Patrol Evaluations:
-charge will depend on type of assessment required for position
-this will be discussed before initial session.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHARGES FOR FORMS REFLECT MY CREDENTIALS AND EDUCATION IN FORMAL ASSESSMENT.
COURT APPEARANCES:
Court Appearances will usually require a written report of Diagnosis, Treatment Plan and Recommendations. COST: 500.00
Preparing other parts of file --ONLY IF COURT ORDERED--will require additional processing. COST: 250.00
Being in court for any part of the day will be charged as a full day, as I will have to cancel all patients for that day (8 patients x 175.00 = 1400.00) + travel time COST: 1500.00
COURT APPEARANCES:
Court Appearances will usually require a written report of Diagnosis, Treatment Plan and Recommendations. COST: 500.00
Preparing other parts of file --ONLY IF COURT ORDERED--will require additional processing. COST: 250.00
Being in court for any part of the day will be charged as a full day, as I will have to cancel all patients for that day (8 patients x 175.00 = 1400.00) + travel time COST: 1500.00
