Appointments- General Information
Appointments are tailored to the needs of the person. Depending upon the services requested and the individual circumstances, appointments may be scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
In those instances where managed care authorizations are needed, it is the responsibility of the client or their legal guardian to obtain authorization for services prior to the first session. In those instances where authorization is not received, the client or legal guardian will accept responsibility to payment of the non-authorized sessions.
First Appointments
All new clients are requested to arrive at least 1/2 hour prior to the time of the first appointment in order to complete the a set of background information materials that are compliant with evidence-based information gathering practices. These materials are tailored for Adults and Adolescents/Children, requesting information in the following areas:
- General Demographics (Name, address, contact information, date of birth, social security number, insurance id, employer)
- Insurance Information (Insured's name and address, contact information, date of birth, social security number, insurance id, employer, relationship of client to insured)
- Medical Background (Prior medical conditions and treating physicians, current medical conditions and treating physicians, current medications and dosages, toxic chemical exposures, diet and exercise regimes, weight loss/gain and pregnancy/menstrual history)
- Checklist of Concerns (Adult or Adolescent/Children)
- Substance Abuse History (Individual and family)
- United Behavioral Health Assessment (For clients of United Behavioral Health only)
The initial appointment for a child or adolescent consists of an interview with a parent or guardian of the chilld / adolescent. This is done in order to obtain a complete developmental history in addition to covering areas of parental concern.
Complete sets of the background information packages can be downloaded from this site, so that you can complete them prior to your arrival at the office.
Child/Adolescent Background Paperwork Adult Background Paperwork
Canceled Appointments
Twenty-four hours notice is required for all appointments scheduled one week in advance, with forty-eight hours notice required for all appointments scheduled more than one week in advance. Appointments cancelled with less than the required notice, except for acute medical emergencies, may be charged the normal session fee. Please note that my office does not bill insurance companies for canceled appointments, as this is a felony (insurance fraud).
Failed Appointments
Failed appointments are charged at the normal session fee, except for acute medical emergencies.
Insurance
The office is a participating provider with a number of insurance plans and managed care entities. Among these are:
- Aetna Behavioral Health
- Cigna Behavioral Health
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Behavioral Health
- Group Health Incorporated (GHI)
- Group Health Incorporated Behavioral Health Program (NYC employees)
- Health Insurance Plan of New York (HIP)
- Magellan Behavioral Health
- Magna Care (under limited circumstances and plans)
- Medicaid Managed Care (Child Health Plus)
- Medicare Part B
- New York State Empire Plan
- Suffolk County Employee Behavioral Health Plan
- United Behavioral Health
- Value Options
As note previously, in those instances where managed care authorizations are needed, it is the responsibility of the client or their legal guardian to obtain authorization for services prior to the first session. In those instances where authorization is not received, the client or legal guardian will accept responsibility to payment of the non-authorized sessions.
Special Note Regarding Forensic Services:
Forensic Services are not generally performed by my office under the auspices of insurance reimbursement. These services are generally conducted pursuant to a Retainer Agreement or Fee-For-Service Agreement.