Shafa Psychiatric and Consulting Center General Policies

Availability and office communications

The purpose of this consultation is to share my expertise and experience in assisting people in learning and being empowered on their path to better health.

It is not a full-time endeavor for me to pursue this teaching and consultation practice and it is an addition to my other clinical and service responsibilities. Because I do not have office staff, I will respond to most contacts (secure communications, voicemails, and emails) within 72 hours. Do not text me – texting is a non-secure method of communication, and I do not monitor these sources on a regular basis. While I will respond to your message as soon as possible, I do not offer any urgent, after-hours, or emergency services. Do not wait for a callback if you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency. Instead, take precautions to ensure your safety, such as calling 911 or going to the nearest Hospital/ER. Please keep in mind that clients are carefully chosen to ensure that their needs and goals align with those of this practice; getting a consultation or assistance in this practice does not suggest or guarantee that I or anyone else will be able to visit you in any other context.

Services Offered

This practice provides Office based and non-emergent services. Dr Khosravi offers Comprehensive initial evaluation and consultation, medication management and talk therapy. Her work includes looking at the relationship between mental health, physical health, women’s issues, nutrition, spirituality, cultural background, grief, loss, childhood, development, sense of identity and individuality. She draws on a variety of psychotherapy approaches including psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy. Her work includes collaborative care with the therapist and primary care physicians.

She also provides medication management appointments for patients who are stabilized on medications and want to regularly monitor and manage their treatment. If the patient has other medical issues along with psychiatric issues, she works with their primary care doctor and other medical specialists in providing a comprehensive care for the patient.

This practice generally does not issue any controlled or DEA-scheduled medications by telemedicine without prior arrangement or in-person visit. Any prescription medications will require up-to-date vital signs. No prescriptions or supplements will be refilled beyond 3 months from the last kept visit, though I may choose to pursue ongoing over-the-counter treatments at my own risk. It is my responsibility to adhere to appointments and be mindful of refill times.

This practice offers non-emergent and office-based services. Dr. Khosravi provides a thorough initial assessment and consultation, as well as medication management and talk therapy. Her work focuses on the connections between mental and physical health, women’s health, nutrition, spirituality, cultural background, grief, loss, childhood and development, sense of self, and individuality. She uses a number of psychotherapy techniques, such as psychodynamic therapy and supportive treatment. Collaboration with primary care physicians and therapists is part of her treatment plans.

She also offers medication management sessions for patients who have a stable pharmaceutical regimen and wish to monitor and manage their therapy on a regular basis. If the patient has additional medical problems in addition to psychiatric problems, she collaborates with the patient’s primary care doctor and other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care.

Communication methods

Secure messaging service with optional enrollment is provided free of charge to approved clients if requested.

The safety or confidentiality of any third-party electronic communications you elect to use including but not limited to email servers, third-party partners that maintain their own records, (labs, pharmacies, dispensaries, payment services, insurance, etc.), video or telephone services,etc are not being guaranteed.  Appointment reminders are sent by email, but you can opt out if you do not wish to receive them or prefer another method. While email and voicemail are simple and used by many of my clients, Generally any Protected Health Information (PHI) electronically without your consent will not be disclosed.

 

Services not Offered

Psychiatric illnesses that necessitate immediate attention, 24-hour treatment, or other forms of intense care.

Certain patients with recurring mental health crises who require a large team and several providers from different professions (e.g. psychiatric subspecialists, case managers, social workers, psychologists, etc.)

There are Some conditions that require a higher level of care than what can be provided safely by us via telepsychiatry, such as:

– Constant thoughts and/or urges to self-harm or attempt suicide

– Constant thoughts and/or urges to harm someone else

– Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binging/purging

– Alcohol or drug addiction/abuse

– Any other conditions or symptoms considered severe enough to need higher level of care determined by Dr. Khosravi

-Other services such as Court-related testimony, documentation or mandated therapy, treatment of minors (under the age of 18), and long-term disability assessments are not provided at this practice. Due to not having any training in occupational psychiatry, Dr. Khosravi will not be providing disability evaluations either.

Telemedicine

Advantage and disadvantages

Convenience and comfort

No more battling traffic to make it to your appointment barely on time. No more sitting in stuffy waiting rooms reading out-of-date magazines while attempting awkward small chat with other patients. There’s no need to leave your house or business when telepsychiatry is available. Simply sit down in front of your computer, smartphone, or tablet with a webcam and microphone. Telepsychiatry appointments are possible if you have access to Skype or Google Hangouts, then you can easily use the perks of telepsychiatry.

Efficient high-quality care. 

Research indicates that the Patients who receive telepsychiatry care are equally as comfortable with their psychiatrists as patients who receive in-person psychiatric care and have similar treatment outcomes, demonstrated in research. Because telepsychiatry appointments can be held at a patient’s home or office, hundreds of hours could be saved each year by eliminating the need to drive to and from the psychiatrist’s office or wait in waiting rooms.

Disadvantages

Telemedicine and video conferencing have some risks and limits, and an in-person physician or other health care expert should be considered the primary source of information for diagnosis and treatment, especially when a physical exam is required or suggested. I’ve also been told that I have the option of opting for in-person or more local services, which may necessitate additional research and/or a referral to another practitioner. Dr. Khosravi may use third-party video or telephone services to provide care, and while she will make every effort to avoid data, signal, or confidentiality interception by third-party internet, telephone, or other providers, he cannot guarantee it. Due to technological constraints, lighting, connection speed, hardware, and other variables, visual observations may be limited.

 For further questions please refer to https://www.americantelemed.org/resource/why-telemedicine/

 Scheduling


Shafa Psychiatric & Counseling Center is dedicated to helping clients better their lives and function at their best. To ensure we are meeting the needs of each of our clients, all scheduling changes and cancellations must be made at least 2 business days prior to the date of a scheduled appointment. Any missed appointment or late cancellation will result in 50 % of the fee being charged.

  1. Your credit card on file will be charged on the day of the missed appointment.
    2. Your insurance company will not reimburse you for missed appointments or late cancellations.
    3. Courtesy calls or emails are just that, a courtesy. Not receiving a call or email does not excuse a missed appointment or a late cancellation.
    4. Multiple missed appointments or late cancellations may result in dismissal from the practice.
    5. We do understand that emergencies happen. If you are requesting to waive your fee for a missed appointment or late cancellation due to an illness, Shafa Psychiatric & Counseling Center will require a physician’s note for the request to be considered. Consideration for such a waiver occurs on a monthly basis and refunds are not processed until that time.

A government-issued photo-ID (e.g., Driver’s License, Passport) will be required at the first visit. With your permission, a screen shot or photo will be taken of you with your photo-ID to help maintain the integrity of your record and access to your health information. I will not take screen shots or record any session without Dr. khosravi’s written permission.

 

Good Faith Estimate

  • You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
  • Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 
  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
  • You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
  • For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

 

 

Termination

if you have not contacted this office in 3 calendar months, it will be assumed that you are no longer interested in follow-up and/or are having your needs met elsewhere.

Both patient and the physician has the right to terminate the relationship . Patient can terminate with written or verbal notice at any time for any reason. Physician may also terminate the relationship with the patient as consultant due to

excessive cancelations

missed appointments,

your non-disclosure of information,

violation of office policies

failure to respond to communications

 failure to pay for services

symptom acuity beyond what can safely consulted in this setting,

symptoms requiring in-person or other consultation,

 differences in opinion over treatment goals,

 using non-prescribed, dangerous,

or against-medical-advice interventions,

 or other concerns

Dr Khosravi does not and cannot make any guarantee of successful treatment, cure, or reduction of symptoms. Payment is due for time and services rendered, without any express guarantee of results of those services. Some recommended services such as the laboratory testing, supplement dispensaries, and pharmacies may offer additional products, services, or upgrades. Dr. Khosravi  cannot assume any liability for services not discussed in visits.

 

 

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