Balcones Psychiatry and Mental Health

OFFICE POLICES

When it comes to seeking mental health care, the financial aspect can often be a burden. However, there is a solution that allows you to prioritize your well-being without breaking the bank—choosing a provider who accepts your insurance! Opting to utilize your insurance benefits can bring numerous advantages that outweigh the option of seeing a provider who only accepts private pay clients.

The most apparent benefit of choosing a provider who accepts your insurance is the cost-effectiveness it offers. Paying privately for mental health services can quickly add up and become a significant financial burden over time. In contrast, utilizing your insurance coverage allows you to benefit from negotiated rates and pre-negotiated fees. By working with an in-network provider, your insurance plan is likely to cover a substantial portion of the treatment costs, minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses.

Life is unpredictable, and unexpected events can occur that require you to redirect your funds toward other priorities. By choosing a provider who accepts your insurance, you are investing in your financial security. Should unforeseen circumstances arise, such as job loss or a medical emergency, having insurance coverage allows you to continue accessing mental health services without undue financial strain. This peace of mind allows you to focus on your mental health and well-being instead of worrying about the financial burden.

Appointments

If you are a new patient, please complete the New Patient Inquiry form and allow 2 to 3 business days for our staff to contact you to schedule your appointment.

For existing patients, appointments can be scheduled via the Client Portal or you can contact us by phone or email.

Changes to an appointment or cancellations must be made within 24 hours or a $100 late cancellation fee will be applied.

Refills

PLEASE DO NOT submit refills requests via your pharmacy. Pharmacies often send refill requests that are inappropriate. Please contact us directly via our refills email, refills@balconespsych.com or call us at (512)807-0640 and allow two business days for refills to be submitted to your pharmacy. Patients should call or email us when they have at least 2-3 days worth of medications at hand to avoid running out.

• Prescriptions requested to be filled the same day will be assessed a $20 fee. Some controlled substances may not be able to be filled with less than 24 hours notice.

• Medications taken more than prescribed will be denied an early refill.  If you would like to discuss a change in medication, please call the office to set up an appointment.  

• Texas law requires patients to be under medical supervision when taking controlled medication.  You may be required to see your Provider before your medication is refilled if you have missed your prior appointment(s).  Patients on controlled medications are required to see their provider every 90 days.

• Our office does not refill medications after hours.

*It is important to note that ADHD medications are highly regulated and not considered life-saving medications. Running out does not constitute a medical emergency.  Early refills are not permitted under any circumstances. In the event that medication is stolen, patients must provide proof of a filed police report.

communication

Our providers will cover all essential information regarding safety and medication during each appointment. Additional details or questions should be handled via email so as to not interfere with other appointments. Should a patient request a phone call between appointments, the following fees apply.

Phone calls with provider:

1-5min…………………………………………….. $15

6-10min…………………………………………….$25

10-15 min …………………………...……………….$40

FMLA and Disability

We do not fill out Short-Term Disability paperwork.  We will consider completing FMLA forms only after you have been an established client for a minimum of 6 months.  

It is impossible for a provider to know the circumstances that make it necessary for a patient to take leave from work.  It is your responsibility to work with your employer (likely through Human Resources) to obtain the necessary paperwork for your employer to provide your disability pay. We ask that you obtain a short-term disability assessment through an independent evaluator, such as a Clinical Psychologist Or Clinical Neuropsychologist.  When it is necessary for a provider to fill out STD/FMLA, we will be happy  to discuss if we feel the need is appropriate and if we can be helpful.  However, an appointment must be scheduled so you and your provider can discuss the information requested. 
A $50 fee is typical for each form submitted. This payment is required prior to submission. There is a 2 week turn around for requested paperwork.  We will not rush any documentation.
Our goal is to help our patients on leave and disability improve their emotional health and get back to normal functioning and work status as soon as possible, this may include recommendation for PHP/IOP during leave.

Requests for medical records

All information in your chart is strictly confidential and cannot be released to anyone without your written consent in the form of a signed Release of Information (ROI). Records can be transferred to another clinician upon receipt of your signed ROI. This usually takes 5 business days but we ask that you allow up to thirty days. Records transferred to you directly or to any persons other than another clinician, i.e., family members, lawyers, certain insurance companies, etc. are subject to a fee of $30 for processing and supplies.