Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Patient Questions
We aim to respond to new patient referrals on the same day, but sometimes it may take up to 72 hours due to the volume of referrals we receive. Please allow us this time to respond.
General Questions
Please give our office up to 48 hours to respond to refill requests.
Your appointment with either the MD or Nurse Practitioner will be the same, and you’ll receive the same standard of care. Both can prescribe medications and follow the same guidelines.
n our office, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained to prescribe medication, and the appointment focuses on medication management. A psychologist appointment centers around therapy or testing. Psychologists have a Ph.D. but cannot prescribe medication.
Please allow us up to 48 hours to respond to your voicemail before calling back or leaving an additional message.
TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an FDA approved treatment for Depression, OCD and Anxious Depression. It is a non-invasive treatment that is done in our office and does not have any systemic side effects like those seen with medications. Most insurances currently approve these treatments for Depression and Anxious Depression. For OCD, only Cigna and Medicare are approving these treatments at this time.
Pharmacogenetic testing involves a cheek swab done in our office and sent to an independent laboratory. It helps assess how a person’s body may process certain medications. Results are discussed with the patient at their next appointment.
FMLA or disability forms cannot be filled out during the first few visits to our office. Adequate time is needed for providers to assess if FMLA or disability is directly related to a mental health condition. Typically, three or more visits and several months of treatment are required before considering filling out the forms. Each situation is unique and requires careful evaluation by the provider. Filling out the forms does not guarantee approval for FMLA or disability.
Insurance and Financial Questions
A copay is a fixed amount (e.g., $20) you pay for a covered health care service after you’ve met your deductible. Copays are due at the time of service.
A deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. For example, with a $3,000 deductible, you pay the first $3,000 of covered services.
Coinsurance is the percentage of costs for a covered health care service that you pay after meeting your deductible. For instance, if your coinsurance is 20% and the allowed amount for an office visit is $200 you pay $40, and the insurance company pays the rest.
Out-of-pocket refers to your expenses for medical care that aren’t reimbursed by insurance. It includes deductibles, coinsurance, copayments for covered services, and costs for services not covered.
Mental health benefits vary between insurance policies. We check eligibility before each appointment, but it’s important for patients to understand what services their individual carrier covers. Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC cannot guarantee coverage.
Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC offers multiple payment options: Call our office, and any staff member can assist you. Access the patient portal desktop version to make a payment. Mail your payment with the statement.
We use an evaluation and management code (E & M code), which is required for reimbursement by insurance programs. The second code is for the therapeutic part of the visit, such as supportive psychotherapy.
Our billable rates and fees are contracted with your specific insurance carrier or with The Emory Healthcare Network. We follow those contracted rates to maintain a high standard of care.
The No Surprises Act, effective from January 1, 2022, protects individuals with private or commercial health insurance from unexpected medical bills in emergency situations. This aspect doesn’t apply to our outpatient services. However, self-pay patients can request a good faith estimate of care costs in advance. Self-pay rates are available on our website, and we can provide an estimate upon request.