08/25/2024
🌟 **Frequently Asked Questions** 🌟
We understand you might have questions about our services. To help, we’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions:
1. 🆕 **Are you currently accepting new patients?**
Yes, we are accepting new patients with availability for initial intakes starting September 2024.
2. 🧑⚕️ **Who do you treat?**
We offer comprehensive care for a wide range of mental health conditions to a diverse population. Dr. Kathpal has exceptional expertise in working with children and adolescents, addressing issues like anxiety, mood disorders, and ADHD. She also provides thorough care and support to adults facing similar challenges.
3. 💻 **Do you offer telehealth services?**
Yes, we primarily offer secure telehealth visits using a HIPAA-compliant platform, with in-person evaluations available as needed in our Manlius, NY office.
4. 🧠 **What is a psychiatrist?**
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with extensive training in the mental health field. After completing medical school, they undertake a multi-year residency in psychiatry and often additional fellowships. For example, Dr. Kathpal completed a three-year residency in adult psychiatry, a two-year fellowship in child psychiatry, and a one-year fellowship in forensic psychiatry, along with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. This extensive training—totaling thousands of hours—equips psychiatrists to handle a wide range of complex mental health issues and provide comprehensive care.
5. 🤔 **How do I know I need a psychiatrist?**
Consider a psychiatric evaluation if you experience persistent emotional distress, noticeable changes in behavior, difficulty managing daily stress, or concerns about your mental well-being. A psychiatrist can offer a thorough assessment and create a personalized treatment plan to support your mental health.
6. 🔒 **Will my treatment be confidential?**
Yes, confidentiality is strictly maintained according to all ethical and legal standards.
7. 📞 **How do I book an appointment?**
Call us at 315-925-6767 or email akathpal@vbhfs.org to schedule your appointment.
8. 📅 **What will the first meeting be like?**
Dr. Kathpal offers a complimentary 10 minute screening phone call to all potential patients. During this call, Dr. Kathpal will personally discuss your unique needs.
Should you decide to proceed with care, the initial evaluation will last 60 minutes and include a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Follow-up appointments are typically 20-30 minutes long to ensure a detailed and personalized care experience. Longer sessions can be arranged as needed to better address your individual needs.
9. 📑 **Do you accept insurance, and how are services billed?**
Dr. Kathpal is out-of-network for all insurance companies. Services are offered via self-pay or out-of-network, which allows us to provide personalized care without the limitations and restrictions of insurance requirements.
Many insurance companies offer great out-of-network reimbursement for psychiatric services. We make it easy for our patients to get reimbursed through our partnership with ‘Reimbursify’, a third-party company. Reimbursify allows us to file claims on behalf of our patients, simplifying the reimbursement process. Although Reimbursify is a paid service, we offer it completely free of charge to our patients. Many of our patients receive a significant portion of their expenses reimbursed, though the exact amount will depend on your insurance plan and deductible.
Please contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about your specific out-of-network benefits and how much you may be reimbursed.
🚫 Please note: We are unable to accept Medicaid or Medicare due to current affiliations, but we are happy to provide referrals to other providers in the community who may be able to assist.
10. 📲 **What is Reimbursify?**
Reimbursify is a tool we use to assist patients with submitting out-of-network claims for reimbursement. It simplifies the process by filing these claims on your behalf.
For any additional questions, feel free to reach out to us directly. We’re here to assist you!
