Practice Policies
Location
Currently, the California State Medical Board does not permit medical licenses to cross state lines. Therefore, I can only see patients who are located within California and are physically present in the state during our appointment.
Payment
Payment in full is due at time of service. Elescend Psychiatry accepts payment in the form of Zelle bank-to-bank secure transfer or checks. A receipt or superbill for services can be provided upon request, allowing patients to submit for reimbursement.
Cancellation Policy
Elescend Psychiatry requests a minimum of 48 hours advance notice to cancel an appointment. This allows me to offer the slot to any new or return patients who are on the waiting list for either a new or earlier appointment. Missed appointments and those canceled with less than 48 hours notice will incur a fee for the missed service.
Exceptions to this policy can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Make-up appointments are offered as scheduling allows.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Elescend Psychiatry strictly follows the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which is a federal law that requires the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important aspect of treatment. This means that under normal circumstances no one outside the doctor-patient therapeutic relationship is given any information — even the fact that someone is my patient — without a patient’s expressed written consent. The primary goal is to provide patients with a safe environment in which they feel comfortable to discuss any and all concerns.
Elescend Psychiatry follows the professional, legal and ethical guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the state of California. As a part of my service provision, I am required to maintain confidential records of all treatment sessions. I use a HIPAA-compliant, heavily encrypted electronic health record specifically designed for psychiatrists.
Please be aware that there are certain circumstances in which physicians are required to breach confidentiality without a patient’s permission. Physicians are mandated to report certain information in which there is the possibility of harm to the patient or to another person, in cases of child or elder abuse, or under court order. The main priority is safety. We can further discuss these situations in your first appointment and at any time during the treatment relationship. You may also refer to the Notice of Privacy Practices statement (provided in your New Patient Intake Forms) for more information.
A comprehensive set of Practice Policies will be shared with you through your Patient Portal, once we schedule our first Intake Visit.
Co-Partnering Through COVID
Elescend Psychiatry follows the strictest infection control and protection guidelines as informed by the CDC and OSHA, with the goal of keeping all the doctors and patients/guests safe.
Please be aware that we have some patients/guests to the clinic who are considered immunocompromised.
As such, the following requirements will be asked of all persons who visit the clinic:
Face coverings are encouraged to be worn at all times while on-site. You may wear a surgical mask. Respirator/N94/N95 masks are preferred.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please alert me so that your In-person Visit may be converted to a Virtual Visit.
Bacterial or Viral Infection (ex: ear infection, sore throat, etc.)
Fever or chills
New onset of cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
New muscle aches
The building has central air filtration. Two HEPA filter air purifiers will be maintained in the clinic/office. In between each patient, the clinic space will be wiped down with anti-viral and anti-bacterial wipes.
Thank you for doing your part in protecting our Elescend Community!