Thank you for choosing our practice! Deciding to engage in psychiatric treatment can be a difficult process, and we’re pleased at the opportunity to work with you. Though it may seem like a lot of information, please read this document carefully as it contains important information about professional services, business policies, and the respective rights and responsibilities of both provider and client. By agreeing to our office policies, you are providing informed consent to engage in a treatment relationship after the initial consulation. Please feel free to ask questions about the information below before you agree.

Initial Consultation & Services

We are board certified in the state of Texas to adult practice psychiatry (i.e., ages 19-64), which includes prescribing medications, providing psychotherapy, or both, depending upon your particular treatment needs.
Your initial visit is a paid consultation to decide whether our services match your current treatment needs. Your provider will take a detailed history and make treatment recommendations, along with impressions of what our work together may entail. If you have questions regarding your provider’s professional training or clinical procedures, please bring them up during your visit.
If, after this consultation process, either the client and provider decide that they are not a good fit, there will be no further obligation from either party. If the client and provider agree to enter into a treatment relationship, both parties are accepting certain responsibilities, as outlined below.

Client-Provider Communication

A productive treatment relationship is based on open communication. If you have questions or concerns about your treatment, please call (512) 985-9301; do not use our website or email as a means of communication about your treatment plan. Please note that our providers do not take phone calls during appointments, barring emergencies. During office hours, you may leave a non-confidential voicemail or message with staff. Urgent calls are returned as soon as possible; non-urgent calls are addressed by the end of the next business day, depending upon the nature of the message. To ensure that we can reach you in a timely manner, please ensure that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

Austin PsychCare uses Informational SMS texting for logistical matters. Examples of this are: Appointment Reminders and Direct Communication with Front Desk regarding billing and appointment coordination. Our electronic medical record will send out one appointment reminder via text and one appointment reminder via email as a courtesy to the you. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to keep up with scheduled appointments.

Emergencies

During business hours, please contact our office at (512) 985-9301. Our staff can get in touch with your provider or an on-call physician to address your needs. After hours, if there is an urgent clinical matter that must be addressed before the next business day, you may call (512) 985-9301 and then dial 9 to reach the answering service. The on-call provider will return your call.

Confidentiality

We and all staff members take confidentiality very seriously. Federal law prohibits the release of any information about our work without your written permission, with a few exceptions:

1. If your provider believes you could harm yourself or others
2. If your provider suspects child or elder abuse
3. If a court subpoenas your records
4. If an on-call physician from this office needs information to treat you appropriately in your provider’s absence

Insurance*

Dr. Michelle Magid, MD and Paula Storrer, MA, LPC are currently not accepting insurance.
Dr. Anna Robinson MD, Isadora Fox, PHD, PMHNP, Anna Gumble, PMHNP, and Justin Cullers, PMHNP are paneled on Seton/Ascension Health Insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO, and United Behavioral Health (UBH) PPO plans.
Our office staff can provide paperwork for clients on other plans who choose to file out of network.  
All providers have “opted out” of Medicare/Medicaid plans. As such, we do not accept any Medicare/Medicaid insurance plans, even those provided through BCBS or UBH.
Clients are responsible for:
1. Checking mental health benefits with their insurance company
2. Obtaining any necessary authorizations or referrals for mental health visits
3. Informing the office of insurance changes or if insurance is no longer active
*We understand that insurance can be confusing. We recommend that clients clarify coverage before making an appointment. Whatever insurance does not cover (i.e. copays, deductibles, inactive insurance policies, policy exclusions for mental health, and HMO plans), patients are financially responsible for the remaining balance, and the card on file will be automatically charged.

Payment

Clients are required to keep a current credit card on file. We will automatically charge your credit card on file after your session.
For those with Seton Health or Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO , we will submit your visit to the insurance company. Once the claim has been processed (usually 1-3 weeks after the visit) we will automatically charge the remaining balance to your credit card on file.
We accept cash, checks, MasterCard, and Visa. There is a $25 charge for returned checks.  

Fees

Please visit “Our Rates” page for our current fee schedules.

Paperwork

Paperwork such as school or insurance forms must be completed during a scheduled session with the expectation that the client has filled out his or her portions before the visit.
We do not do Disability paperwork or Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork. If this is the reason for establishing care, we recommend seeking other mental health providers who specialize in this area.
Other professional services (report writing, consultations, phone calls greater that 5 minutes) are prorated at $300 per hour. Our practice reserves the right to evaluate whether we are the appropriate clinical resource for these requests and refer accordingly.

Appointments and Cancellations

Treatment is available by appointment only. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance (Friday before noon for a Monday appointment) by calling the office. We do not accept emails or weekend voicemails as a way to cancel appointments.
Missing an appointment and/or failing to cancel within 24 hours of appointment time will result in the full charge for the missed appointment.  If this occurs, we will automatically charge your credit card on-file. Patients covered by insurance must pay the provider’s fee-for-service rates for missed appointments—not just the copay/deductible fee. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may lead to discontinuation of treatment. 

Prescriptions and Prescription Refills

In the interest of safety, clients who take medications must be monitored by their provider to assess effectiveness and side effects. You will receive ample medication and refills until your next appointment. It is your responsibility to schedule follow-up appointments before your prescription runs out. Please note that we are conscientious about medical costs and do not request unnecessary visits. Medications refilled between visits typically provide the client with enough to make it to his or her next appointment. Refills for triplicate medication (stimulants for attention deficit disorder) between appointments are completed for a $20.00 fee. We take great care to prescribe safely and effectively. In return, clients are expected to take medications as prescribed. Altering a medication’s dose without a provider’s consult, getting the same controlled substance medication from multiple providers, sharing medication with others, or using them in a non-therapeutic way is a serious breach of the provider-patient trust and may result in termination of the treatment relationship.

Additionally, we don’t prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin) or stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin) at the first few visits. Formal neuropsychiatric testing for attention deficit disorder (a separate evaluation with a neuropsychologist) will be required before we will prescribe stimulants. 

Discontinuing Treatment

Clients may discontinue treatment at any time, but we ask that you consult with your provider before making this decision. In therapy, experiencing uncomfortable feelings is a key part of personal growth and progress; talking to your provider may help you clear this hurdle and may even help us become better practitioners. We will assume you have discontinued treatment if you’ve missed a scheduled appointment and do not reschedule within 30 days, you fail to schedule a follow-up appointment within 6 months of your last appointment, or you have not been seen in a year. Upon written request, our office will transfer records to an alternate provider. 

In rare instances, after careful consideration, your provider may discontinue your relationship. This may occur if there are repeated missed appointments, medications are not taken as directed, an unexpected conflict of interest arises, or your provider believes your needs would be better served by another clinician. If this occurs, you will be notified in writing.

Closing Remarks

Again, we appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding this practice, please discuss them with your provider. We are always eager to hear your comments and will gladly answer any questions.

• I have reviewed and understand the Notice of Privacy Practices.

• I have read and understand policies regarding fees and financial arrangements.

  • I understand that I must keep an active credit card/HSA/FSA card on file. I am responsible for updating this card when appropriate.

  • If I’m a fee-for-service patient, I understand that my credit card/HSA/FSA card will be charged after appointments. If I choose to use BCBS PPO , United Healthcare PPO, or Seton Insurance for appointments, I am aware that Austin PsychCare will submit the claim. I am aware that Austin PsychCare does not accept any Medicare/Medicaid insurance plans. I also understand that I am financially responsible for whatever insurance does not cover, such as copays, deductibles, inactive insurance policies, policy exclusions for mental health, and HMO plans, and my card on file will be automatically charged.

• I understand that appointment cancellations require 24 hours’ notice via phone call during normal business hours. Monday cancellations must occur before noon the previous Friday. I also understand that the office does not accept cancellation requests via e-mail or weekend voicemails. If I do not follow the cancellation policies, I understand that I am responsible for the provider’s full out-of-pocket fee, even if I use insurance.

• I understand that Austin PsychCare does not prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin) or stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin) at the first few visits.

• I understand that if I'm seeking a new ADHD diagnosis, I will need formal neuropsychiatric testing from a trained professional to confirm the diagnosis.