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Practice Information

 

To Reach Me ... 

My office phone number is (206) 364-1195. As I do not answer the phone when I am in session you will likely reach my confidential voice mail. I check for messages periodically during my weekday business hours and am generally able to return calls by the end of the next business day.

If you would like a call back, please leave your phone number and good times to reach you. If I am away, the name and phone number of the psychiatrist covering for me will be on my voice mail greeting.

If you need to reach me urgently call my pager at (206) 969-0604. If I am not available as quickly as you need, call the Crisis Clinic at (206) 461-3222 or (800) 244-5767. For emergencies call 911 or go to a nearby emergency room.



Scheduling and Canceling Appointments
To schedule or cancel all appointments please call (206) 364-1195 and leave me a message. To schedule an appointment please leave the days and hours when you would be available to meet.

 If it is necessary for you to cancel a session you will not be billed if notice is given at least 24 hours before an appointment. 

My 24 hour cancellation policy allows me to offer the appointment time originally reserved for you to someone else, helps me to run my practice more efficiently and allows my practice to stay viable.

 If you do not cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance my regular appointment fee will be charged to you. Insurance plans do not cover fees for missed appointments or late cancellations.



Prescriptions
Medication refills are best handled during appointments. If you find you are running low of a medication between appointments, call your pharmacy and ask if there is a refill on file. If there is not, ask them to fax me a refill request. Please allow at least 48 hours for refills outside of appointments.


Payments, Billing and Insurance
Some or all of the fees for my services may be covered by your health insurance. Prior to our initial appointment, I suggest that you phone your insurance company to clarify your mental health benefits and to get instructions for any authorizations or referrals that may be required.

 

I currently am a contracted provider for Uniform Medical, Premera and Regence PPO and PAR.  Many insurance companies have out of network benefits and cover a portion of my fees.

 

 

I have contracted with Health Care Administrative Services (HAS) in Everett (425) 258-1880 to handle my insurance claims and billing. They verify insurance benefits, submit bills for each appointment to insurance companies, and send out monthly billing statements to you.

 

I collect annual deductibles and co-pays at each appointment. If you do not have mental health coverage I ask that you pay my fee in full at the time of our appointment. I accept Visa and Master Card payments. Account balances are due in full upon receipt of my monthly statement. 

 

You are responsible for the full payment of all fees associated with the services I provide to you, whether or not an insurance company or another party may pay for part or all, of the fee. If I have not received your payment within 120 days after it was incurred, your account may be turned over to a collection service.




Confidentiality
Under the laws of the State of Washington, all information I have about you and all communication and issues discussed during the course of therapy are confidential. They can be disclosed to other people only with your signed consent with the following exceptions: 

I am required by law to inform proper authorities if I have cause to believe that a child or dependent adult is being abused or in imminent danger of such acts by you, if you pose an imminent risk of danger to yourself or another person or property or if you are unable to take care of your basic needs.

Other exceptions to confidentiality include:

1) if you use your insurance coverage, a diagnosis and other required information will be sent to your insurance company;

2) if I receive a court order, I may have to disclose specific information about you; or

3) if an overdue unpaid bill is referred to a collection agency, your name, payment record, last known address and the fact that you were my client, will become known to that agency.