How long psychiatry treatment last?
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?
How do I schedule an appointment?
What should I bring to my first appointment?
How do I get my prescriptions?
What Forms of Payment are accepted?
How are my medical records handled?
What Is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
Because psychiatrists are physicians, they can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with genetics and family history, to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment
plans.
How long psychiatry treatment last?
Time frame for treatment of psychiatric conditions varies. Some conditions may be short term treatment and some other mental illness conditions require lifelong maintenance treatment. This is able to be established in case by case basis.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (completed medical school and residency) with special training in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is able to conduct psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments.
A psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental disorders with psychotherapy and some specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
How do I schedule an appointment?
New patients should call our office at 512-851- 1220 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Your call will be returned within 1 business day and emails within 3 business days. We do not accept walk-ins or same day appointments. Prior to your first appointment go to the Forms tab and complete the Form “Patient Information” and fax it to 512-851- 1080. You may also mail it. Do not send by email, since email is not considered a confidential form of communication. This must be received before an appointment is
scheduled.
Follow up appointments will be scheduled at each visit in most cases, but you also may schedule follow up appointment calling at 512-851- 1220 or by email at [email protected]
What should I bring to my first appointment?
1. You should bring to the first appointment the completed forms Privacy Notice, Patient consent PHI, Office Policy contract, Consent for Financial Responsibility, Credit Card Charge Authorization, and Consent for Evaluation and treatment. These forms are important because they explain your patient rights and this office policies and procedures. Please keep a copy for yourself. If you have any questions we can discuss them at your visit.
2. Also you should bring list of current medications and bottles of controlled substances prescribed before any controlled prescription been issued (benzodiazepines or stimulant medications)
3. Picture ID
4. Labs results performed in the last 6 months.
5. For minors, parent or caretaker should bring Photo ID and paperwork showing custody for your first visit.
How do I get my prescriptions?
Prescriptions will be provided during appointments, and also they may be filled by phone under certain circumstances. Please allow the doctor at least 72 hours to call in the refill. Do not wait until your prescription runs out. Contact your pharmacy, not this office, to begin the refill process at least 2-3 days before running out of your medication. Even if the prescription says 0 refills, the pharmacy will submit a refill request to this office.
In the rare event that a phone refill is needed please leave a message with information regarding your name, phone number, date of birth, name of medicine, strength, dose and frequency of the requested medication and the pharmacy name and phone number.
What Forms of Payment are accepted?
For your convenience Balanced Minds PLLC accepts most major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover), cash, and personal checks. Payments are due at time of service.
Do you accept Insurance?
This practice currently does not accept insurance. Patients may fill out and monitor their own insurance claims.
The office billing sheet will contain all the codes and information necessary to file the insurance claim.
If you are eligible for Medicare or are presently receiving Medicare medical benefits, please be aware that Balanced Minds PLLC and Zuraima Caldera, MD have opted out of billing Medicare. This means that you will not be able to send our statement to Medicare for reimbursement.
How are my medical records handled?
Protecting the confidentiality of your personal information is an important obligation that we take seriously at Balanced Minds PLLC. We respect your privacy and we will maintain all records of your treatment on confidential basis. We will not disclose any information about you or your treatment without your written consent, unless we are required or are allowed to do so under applicable law. You may obtain copies of your records by requesting them in writing and paying the applicable fee. You will be provided with the copies of the records unless we determine that doing so may be harmful for your emotional or mental health, in which case I will be happy to provide them to an appropriate mental health professional of your choice.