PRACTICE POLICIES
1. Introduction
Our policies aim to ensure a confidential, effective, and respectful treatment environment. They protect patient’s privacy, uphold high-quality care, and assure professionalism across all interactions within our practice. These guidelines apply to all patients, staff, and visitors, reinforcing our commitment to fairness and excellence in mental health care.
2. Appointment Policy
- Scheduling Appointments: You can schedule appointments through our office by leaving a voice message at 646-383-7575 or emailing contact@driospa.com. We encourage you to book your appointments well in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
- Cancellation Policy:
- You must notify our office by 9 AM the business day before your appointment to cancel an appointment. This allows us to manage our schedule and offer the slot to other patients needing our services.
- For appointments scheduled on a Monday, cancellation requests must be made by 9 AM on the preceding Friday.
- If the patient fails to cancel following this policy, they may be responsible for the full cost of the missed visit.
- Missed Appointments and Late Cancellations: We understand that emergencies happen. If you need to cancel after the deadline due to an unforeseen circumstance, be sure to get in touch with our office as soon as possible. These situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Billing Questions: If you have any questions regarding billing or cancellation charges, please get in touch with Anna, our Billing Manager, at 347-218-4216 or billing@driospa.com. She is available to address any concerns you may have and provide assistance with billing inquiries.
3. Confidentiality: Our commitment to confidentiality is aligned with our privacy policies, which are designed to protect and secure your personal and health information. Please refer to our privacy policies for detailed information on how we manage and safeguard your data
4. Fees and Payments
- Cost of Services: The cost of services varies depending on the provider’s specialty. Fees for Psychiatric Consultations, Specialized Treatment, Psychiatric follow-up Appointments, Neuropsychological Assessments, and Emergency Appointments are set by each provider based on their specialization and the complexity of the services provided. Patients are informed of the rates for services and provide their acknowledgment before they start treatment.
- Good Faith Estimates: Upon written request, we can provide a Good Faith Estimate before your first appointment, detailing the expected cost based on the services you may require. This estimate helps you understand your potential financial responsibility in advance.
5. Insurance and Billing
- Accepted Insurance Plans: Every doctor in our group participates in Traditional Medicare. We bill your insurance directly for in-network services. For out-of-network services, we can assist you in submitting claims for reimbursement or provide you with the itemized forms to submit to your insurance directly. You will receive statements for services not covered or balances due to post-insurance processing. It is important to verify with our office whether we can submit to your specific insurance plan.
6. Financial Responsibility
- Patient Obligations: all charges not covered or paid by insurance or any other payer, patients are ultimately responsible for the payment of services rendered, especially if insurance does not cover the session fully. Please check with our office about the specifics of your coverage.
- Denied Insurance Claims: If your insurance denies a claim, the patient is responsible for payment. We can provide documentation to support your appeal or reconsideration process with the insurance provider.
- Testing cases: To ensure efficient scheduling and resource allocation, we require all self-paid and out-of-network testing appointments to be prepaid 2 full bus days business days prior to the scheduled time. If payment is not received within this timeframe, the appointment will need to be rescheduled.
7. Payment Policy
- Due Dates: Payment is expected at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made. We will send you statements for any outstanding balances due upon receipt.
- Accepted Payment Methods: We accept cash, checks, all major credit/debit cards, and Zelle.
- Late Payments: Additional fees may apply for late payments.
8. Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Rights
• Right to Confidentiality: All patients have the right to confidentiality of their treatment details and personal information in compliance with HIPAA regulations and other privacy laws.
• Right to Informed Consent: patients have the right to be fully informed about their treatment options and to consent knowingly to any care plans or interventions.
• Right to Access Medical Records: patients can request access to their medical records and other health information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: patients have the right to receive care without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• Right to Complaints and Appeals: patients can voice concerns or grievances regarding their care or treatment and can expect a prompt and fair resolution process.
Patient Responsibilities
• Compliance with Treatment: patients are expected to comply with the agreed-upon treatment plans and actively participate in their own healthcare.
• Respect and Consideration: Patients are responsible for treating staff and other patients with respect and consideration and adhering to the practice’s code of conduct.
• Communication: patients should provide accurate health and contact information and inform our office of any changes in their health status or treatment responses.
• Financial Obligations: patients are responsible for meeting their financial obligations as explained in the practice’s fees and payment policies.
• Appointment Attendance: Per the practice’s appointment policies, patients are expected to attend scheduled appointments on time and give adequate notice when canceling or rescheduling.
• Updating Information: Please inform us promptly of any changes to your addresses, insurance, and pharmacy information, among other things.
9. Emergencies
- Office Hours Contact: Please call our main office line at 646.383.7575 and leave a message. This line is monitored closely, and our staff is trained to assess and respond to urgent calls.
- Emergency Services: If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, do not wait for a callback from our office. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Please leave a message for the office to inform your doctor.
10. Modifications to the Policy
- Review and Updates: Our policies are reviewed periodically to ensure they remain compliant with current laws and best practices. Adjustments may also be made to reflect new medical insights or operational needs.
- Access to Updated Policies: The most current version of our policies will always be available on our website. Patients are encouraged to review these updates to stay informed about any changes that may affect their treatment and rights.
- Feedback: patient feedback is valuable to us and plays a crucial role in shaping our policies and practices. We invite all patients to share their thoughts and suggestions, which can be submitted directly to our office staff.
- SMS Communication PolicyOur practice may use text messaging (SMS) to communicate important information, such as appointment reminders, billing notifications, post-visit instructions, and lab results. You agree to receive these messages from Dr.Iospa, Psychiatry by providing your mobile number and opting in. Messaging frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.
We respect your privacy and will not share your contact information with third parties for marketing purposes. You can opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. For assistance, reply “HELP”