Do you offer video appointments?
Yes, for individual appointments, meeting remotely is an option. I use SecureVideo, a user-friendly, HIPPA-compliant telehealth service which offers meetings via Zoom (can be used with laptop or smartphone). Once we have agreed on an appointment time, I will send you a link to the meeting.
Is your office accessible to those with disabilities?
My physical office space (there is a set of stairs to reach the building entrance) is not accessible. However, per above, I do offer video sessions via Zoom.
What are your fees?
As of 1/1/24, my fees are as follows:
Initial Consultation, $650, includes comprehensive interview and discussion, may or may not include a recommendation (or a prescription) for medication or further assessment measures.
50-minute Psychotherapy Appointments, $450, consist of time spent further exploring and understanding the factors in your life that have brought you to this point and where you'd like to direct your life from here.
20-minute Check-Ups, $250, are typically reserved for patients who I am seeing for medication management only (not psychotherapy) and are scheduled as frequently as needed, but, on average, are needed once every one to six months. (I require that regular patients check in with me at least once every six months.)
Do you offer sliding scale fees?
Not as a rule for 20-minute medication management but occasionally for 50-minute psychotherapy appointments. Please inquire.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, check, credit cards and Venmo (@Lois-Parkison, and I use Privacy Settings --'Audience: Participants Only' and 'Who Can Share: Only Me').
Do you accept insurance?
I am currently only an in-network provider with Aetna, and its subsidiaries (eg, Meritain.)
If you have an insurance other than Aetna, I am considered an 'out of network' provider. This means that you are responsible for the full amount at the time of service. As an additional courtesy, if you have a PPO policy, I am happy to submit the claim electronically on your behalf—with the exception being Anthem Blue Cross, as they do not work with my claims clearinghouse (Waystar) at this time.
My services are covered under FSA plans.
Do you accept Medicare?
Unfortunately, at this time, I do not, but check back as I am looking into the possibility in the near future. In the meantime, if your ability to get mental health care is limited for financial reasons, please click the following link to be taken to the Mental Health Association (MHA) of San Francisco's website for a comprehensive list of resources.
What is your cancellation policy?
I have a 48-hour cancellation policy (following our first appointment). You will be responsible for the complete session fee if cancelling less than forty-eight hours prior to your scheduled appointment.
For the initial appointment, I do not charge a missed session or late cancellation, but, if you wish to reschedule, I will require a credit card to be kept on file and will apply the 48-hour cancellation policy for the second consultation appointment.
Is your office accessible from public transportation?
Yes, the N-Judah stops two blocks from my office and the 7 runs right past.
What are your hours?
I see clients Monday through Friday by appointment only and typically have hours available between 10:30 am and 5 pm.
Is what I share with you confidential?
Unless you provide me with written authorization to disclose information to another individual or agency, anything that you share with me is completely confidential. However, under California State Law, the following exceptions exist:
1) a client presents a danger to self or others,
2) an incident of suspected child abuse or neglect occurs,
3) an incident of suspected elder abuse or neglect occurs,
4) a court order is issued,
5) actions are necessary to collect payment, or
6) an insurance company requests information for reimbursement of services.
If you are interested in learning more about your legal rights to privacy in the healthcare system, please visit: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy.
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Also, please be aware that The Open Payments database is a federal tool used to search payments made by drug and device companies to physicians and teaching hospitals. It can be found at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.