FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What services do you provide?
Medication management, psychotherapy and psychological assessments.
How do I know what services I need?
Each situation is different and when you call the office you will be asked whether you think you need medication or not. If you are considering medication your appointment will be with one of our prescribing providers. You will be evaluated to determine whether medication, therapy, or a combination of both is the best fit for you. If you are not considering medication you will be scheduled with one of our therapists. Therapy sessions work toward giving you tools and coping strategies to help with your particular situation.
What is an outpatient clinic and how will I know if my needs can be met?
In Step Behavioral Health is a private, outpatient clinic which is not affiliated with a hospital. If your needs are such that you may require a partial inpatient or inpatient program we may not be the best fit. We do our best to ask questions to help determine if we can provide you the care you need. Additional paperwork may be requested to help determine that we are a good fit. Our end goal is to make sure you are receiving the appropriate level of care.
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
It is very important that you arrive 15-20 minutes early with your patient registration packet already filled out. The questions are quite extensive and if it is not filled out ahead of time, your time with the provider will be impacted. If you are unable to print the packet prior to your appointment you should plan on arriving 30 minutes early to allow yourself enough time to fill it out and get it processed. You also need to bring a copy of your insurance card and a photo id.
How should I prepare for my med management appointment?
Please be ready with any questions, how many pills you have left in your prescription(s), and any changes in medications or supplements. Also, if you have new insurance you should arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment with your new insurance card. We recommend reviewing the list of insurances we accept as this may occasionally change. If we do not accept your new insurance you will be switched to a self-pay patient and payment will be due prior to your appointment. If you have any questions regarding your new insurance please call the office and we will be happy to assist you. We always recommend calling your insurance company to verify coverage for behavioral/mental health.
Do you charge for no-shows, late cancels, or urgent prescription refills?
We require 24- hour notice for cancellations and less than that is considered a late cancel. Our office policy is to charge for late cancels and no shows. You can call to cancel or reschedule during our regular business hours or you can leave a message with our answering service.
Urgent prescription refills are filled at the discretion of the prescriber and are not guaranteed. You may be charged an additional fee. If you need a rewrite of a written prescription there is a charge of $10.
Can I contact my provider after hours?
After hours messages are sent to the providers by the answering service. If you are having an emergency we always recommend going to the ER or urgent care as there is no guarantee you will receive a response. In most cases the provider will contact you during their regular business hours. If the provider responds there may be a fee incurred. See “After Hours Charges” under the Info tab for more information.
Will my provider communicate with my primary care doctor or other specialists?
A signed release is required in order to communicate with other doctors. If you have specific doctors that you want kept informed of your progress please print a release from the website and bring it into the office so it can be confirmed and added to your chart.
How often will I need to come and what are the charges?
Charges for services vary greatly depending upon self-pay or your type of insurance and carrier; please contact the office for more information. The number of appointments is based on need but here are some guidelines:
MED MANAGEMENT – typical is every three months but can range from one week to six months. If there are changes to medications you may need to come in more frequently until things stabilize.
PSYCHOTHERAPY – this should be discussed at initial appointment and agreed upon by therapist and client. It can range from 1-2 times per week to once per month to whenever the client has a need.
What ages do you provide services for?
We provide med management for ages 16 years and up. Our therapists vary from one who sees infants through geriatric, to some who see ages 18 -65. Please review the bios of our therapists to find one that fits your needs.
What types of insurance do you accept?
We are in network with BCBS PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO, Multiplan (requires verification of coverage), PHCS and Medicare for which there is currently a waitlist. We do not accept United Healthcare or Medicaid.*
We also accept BCBS HMO through NMPP (sites 475 and 477 noted on the front of your insurance card) which requires a referral from your PCP.
*Not all providers take all of these insurances. Please call the office to verify whether your provider accepts your insurance. We always suggest you call your insurance company to confirm coverage for behavioral/mental health as it is your responsibility to understand what your insurance covers.
Will the practice submit my charges to insurance?
If we are in network with your insurance carrier we will submit the claim to your insurance company. You are expected to cover any copays at the time of the appointment and to cover any deductibles or coinsurance in a timely manner. If we are not in network with your insurance we can accept you as a self-pay patient, in which case we will not submit claims to your insurance company.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, advanced nurse practitioner, psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical professional counselor?
PSYCHIATRIST – has a medical degree and has completed a residency in psychiatry. Provides medication management and, as appropriate, patient training and counseling.
PSYCHOLOGIST – has a doctoral degree in psychology and can offer psychological services such as comprehensive evaluations and psychological interventions.
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (also referred to as NURSE PRACTITIONER) – has a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor's in Nursing Practice (DNP) and works in collaboration with a medical doctor. Provides medication management and, as appropriate, patient training and counseling.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST – has a master’s degree in psychology and offers counseling services.
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER – has a master’s degree in social work. Offers counseling services and case management.
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR – has a master’s degree in counseling. Offers counseling services.
Do you perform genetic testing?
Yes, if the prescribing provider determines it may be beneficial to the process of medication management. We use GeneSight for our genetic testing.
Can I bring children to my appointment?
Yes, however you are responsible for your children. Our staff is not available to watch them. We will not be liable if anything happens to them if they are left alone.
Do you handle court-ordered appointments or workers comp?
No. We do not handle court-ordered psychiatric evaluations and we do not handle workers comp cases.
Do you offer group therapy?
Not at this time.
Do you offer family therapy?
Yes. Several of our therapists specialize in family therapy. Please read the bios on the website for more information and to find a therapist who suits your needs.
What services do you provide?
Medication management, psychotherapy and psychological assessments.
How do I know what services I need?
Each situation is different and when you call the office you will be asked whether you think you need medication or not. If you are considering medication your appointment will be with one of our prescribing providers. You will be evaluated to determine whether medication, therapy, or a combination of both is the best fit for you. If you are not considering medication you will be scheduled with one of our therapists. Therapy sessions work toward giving you tools and coping strategies to help with your particular situation.
What is an outpatient clinic and how will I know if my needs can be met?
In Step Behavioral Health is a private, outpatient clinic which is not affiliated with a hospital. If your needs are such that you may require a partial inpatient or inpatient program we may not be the best fit. We do our best to ask questions to help determine if we can provide you the care you need. Additional paperwork may be requested to help determine that we are a good fit. Our end goal is to make sure you are receiving the appropriate level of care.
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
It is very important that you arrive 15-20 minutes early with your patient registration packet already filled out. The questions are quite extensive and if it is not filled out ahead of time, your time with the provider will be impacted. If you are unable to print the packet prior to your appointment you should plan on arriving 30 minutes early to allow yourself enough time to fill it out and get it processed. You also need to bring a copy of your insurance card and a photo id.
How should I prepare for my med management appointment?
Please be ready with any questions, how many pills you have left in your prescription(s), and any changes in medications or supplements. Also, if you have new insurance you should arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment with your new insurance card. We recommend reviewing the list of insurances we accept as this may occasionally change. If we do not accept your new insurance you will be switched to a self-pay patient and payment will be due prior to your appointment. If you have any questions regarding your new insurance please call the office and we will be happy to assist you. We always recommend calling your insurance company to verify coverage for behavioral/mental health.
Do you charge for no-shows, late cancels, or urgent prescription refills?
We require 24- hour notice for cancellations and less than that is considered a late cancel. Our office policy is to charge for late cancels and no shows. You can call to cancel or reschedule during our regular business hours or you can leave a message with our answering service.
Urgent prescription refills are filled at the discretion of the prescriber and are not guaranteed. You may be charged an additional fee. If you need a rewrite of a written prescription there is a charge of $10.
Can I contact my provider after hours?
After hours messages are sent to the providers by the answering service. If you are having an emergency we always recommend going to the ER or urgent care as there is no guarantee you will receive a response. In most cases the provider will contact you during their regular business hours. If the provider responds there may be a fee incurred. See “After Hours Charges” under the Info tab for more information.
Will my provider communicate with my primary care doctor or other specialists?
A signed release is required in order to communicate with other doctors. If you have specific doctors that you want kept informed of your progress please print a release from the website and bring it into the office so it can be confirmed and added to your chart.
How often will I need to come and what are the charges?
Charges for services vary greatly depending upon self-pay or your type of insurance and carrier; please contact the office for more information. The number of appointments is based on need but here are some guidelines:
MED MANAGEMENT – typical is every three months but can range from one week to six months. If there are changes to medications you may need to come in more frequently until things stabilize.
PSYCHOTHERAPY – this should be discussed at initial appointment and agreed upon by therapist and client. It can range from 1-2 times per week to once per month to whenever the client has a need.
What ages do you provide services for?
We provide med management for ages 16 years and up. Our therapists vary from one who sees infants through geriatric, to some who see ages 18 -65. Please review the bios of our therapists to find one that fits your needs.
What types of insurance do you accept?
We are in network with BCBS PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO, Multiplan (requires verification of coverage), PHCS and Medicare for which there is currently a waitlist. We do not accept United Healthcare or Medicaid.*
We also accept BCBS HMO through NMPP (sites 475 and 477 noted on the front of your insurance card) which requires a referral from your PCP.
*Not all providers take all of these insurances. Please call the office to verify whether your provider accepts your insurance. We always suggest you call your insurance company to confirm coverage for behavioral/mental health as it is your responsibility to understand what your insurance covers.
Will the practice submit my charges to insurance?
If we are in network with your insurance carrier we will submit the claim to your insurance company. You are expected to cover any copays at the time of the appointment and to cover any deductibles or coinsurance in a timely manner. If we are not in network with your insurance we can accept you as a self-pay patient, in which case we will not submit claims to your insurance company.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, advanced nurse practitioner, psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical professional counselor?
PSYCHIATRIST – has a medical degree and has completed a residency in psychiatry. Provides medication management and, as appropriate, patient training and counseling.
PSYCHOLOGIST – has a doctoral degree in psychology and can offer psychological services such as comprehensive evaluations and psychological interventions.
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (also referred to as NURSE PRACTITIONER) – has a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor's in Nursing Practice (DNP) and works in collaboration with a medical doctor. Provides medication management and, as appropriate, patient training and counseling.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST – has a master’s degree in psychology and offers counseling services.
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER – has a master’s degree in social work. Offers counseling services and case management.
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR – has a master’s degree in counseling. Offers counseling services.
Do you perform genetic testing?
Yes, if the prescribing provider determines it may be beneficial to the process of medication management. We use GeneSight for our genetic testing.
Can I bring children to my appointment?
Yes, however you are responsible for your children. Our staff is not available to watch them. We will not be liable if anything happens to them if they are left alone.
Do you handle court-ordered appointments or workers comp?
No. We do not handle court-ordered psychiatric evaluations and we do not handle workers comp cases.
Do you offer group therapy?
Not at this time.
Do you offer family therapy?
Yes. Several of our therapists specialize in family therapy. Please read the bios on the website for more information and to find a therapist who suits your needs.
