If you have an emergency and cannot reach me, please go to the nearest emergency room and ask to see a psychiatrist. I try to answer phone calls as promptly as I can, but I also have a policy of not taking phone calls from one patient while I am with another patient, so that sometimes limits my opportunities to get back to you.
The bottom line is that if you don't think the problem can wait for about 24 hours, you should probably go to the nearest emergency room.
Read about closing for bad weather.
Read about my conflict of interest policy.
I do not have any dealings with drug companies. I do not talk with drug company representatives. I do not accept anything from them such as samples or honorariae. None of my research is supported by drug companies.
Under practice forms, I have partially filled out forms for you to download. Please fill in the top part of the form above the line that starts “Have you communicated with the PCP…” bring it with you and let me know at the beginning of your session so that I have time to complete it.
I would urge you to keep copies of any documents that you send to insurance companies to save your time and mine and to avoid additional fees.
Look at some suggested readings.
I believe Epocrates is a good online source of drug information.
Many of my patients have some kind of pharmacy benefit plan. Most of the medications I prescribe are covered by most plans, but it isn't possible for me to keep up with what is and what is not approved by your particular plan. I regret that I am no longer able to do prior authorizations out of your session, primarily because a few unscrupulous seek to control costs by wasting doctor's time.
In general I think it is best if all prescriptions are handled during your session. At the beginning of each session, I will ask you whether we have any housekeeping tasks such as refilling prescriptions, filling out forms, printing receipts, billing issues, etc.
If some housekeeping issue comes up between sessions, you will need to wait until your next session unless I feel it is absolutely necessary for your treatment that this issue be handled on an emergency basis. In that case, I will do the task, but you will need to pay for my time in 15 minute increments.
The most common emergency housekeeping task is filling prescriptions that have expired. I would urge you to keep track of your prescriptions to avoid extra fees.
I try to check my email once a day. For privacy reasons, I advise that you be thoughtful when using email to contact me. Email is much less private than most people think, and many people such as systems administrators, bosses, and curious family members can often read any email that you send. Email communication is good for a brief note saying something like “you asked me to check in with you to let you know everything is fine, and it is.” or “I can't make next week's appointment,” but bad for anything complicated or anything that you would not want to have widely known. I do not believe that it is possible to practice medicine by email, so please don't be offended if my response to your email is something like “Call me at the office.”
In general, I tend to be busier in the afternoon and evening, so you are most likely to get a quick response if you call me in the morning.
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