New Patients
We are currently accepting new patients over the age of 5. If you are ready to schedule your first appointment, please call or email us.
Our administrative staff is ready to take your call Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and can answer all of your questions about our practice.
Your first visit involves a few steps. Here are some helpful hints for an easy transition to our office:
After you speak with our office, you will receive your new patient paperwork. Please fill out any required information in your new patient packet in order to receive your appointment date and time. You will not be scheduled until your paperwork is received and reviewed.
If you have any medical reports performed at another office that you would like us to review, please obtain them prior to your appointment and upload them to your patient portal, or bring them with you to your appointment.
Dependents under the age of 18 years old should be accompanied by a legal guardian for their first office visit.
Please bring either a list of all your medications – including herbal supplements and vitamins – or bring your current medication bottles to your first appointment to allow your clinician to review what you are taking.
Your doctor will be waiting to see you at your scheduled appointment time, so if you arrive late for your appointment, it decreases the amount of time you will have to speak with your doctor. Dr. Brown may reschedule any new patients 15 minutes late or more, and any follow-up appointments that are 10 minutes late or more. These late presentations will result in a late fee for the missed appointment. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your first appointment so you don’t lose any of your time with your doctor!
WHEN IS IT HELPFUL TO CONSULT WITH A PSYCHIATRIST REGARDING PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT?
When you have noticed a change with your mood, your nerves, your thought processes, or your behavior, and you are not sure why.
When you have been taking psychiatric medications from your primary care doctor, but your symptoms don’t seem to be getting better.
When you have been taking psychiatric medications but wonder if they are necessary, if they are causing side effects, or whether there are better choices for you .
When you have been seeing a therapist or counselor, and they recommend a psychiatric consultation.
When you feel that you need a second opinion following a psychiatric evaluation.
Policies and Fees
Cancellations and No-Shows:
We understand that you have a life with its own commitments and that everyone has unexpected changes to their schedule. With more than 24 hours’ notice, we are happy to try to accommodate your schedule to the best of our ability.
However, if you need to cancel or reschedule a session, we ask that you provide one business day (24 hours) notice. This means that appointments scheduled for a Monday must be cancelled on or before the preceding Friday. If you miss a session without canceling, or cancel with less than 24 business hours’ notice, our policy is to collect a $100 no-show fee. This fee must be paid before a new appointment can be scheduled.
It is important to note that insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for “late cancellation” or “no show” sessions. Thus, you will be responsible for the portion of the fee as described above. If it is possible, we will try to find another time to reschedule the appointment.
Privacy and HIPAA:
We take your privacy very seriously.
The law protects the privacy of all communications between a client and mental health provider. In most situations, your provider can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).
HIPAA is a federal program that requests that all medical records and other individually identifiable health information used or disclosed by us in any form, whether electronically, on paper, or orally be kept properly confidential. This Act gives you, the client, the right to understand and control how your personal health information (“PHI”) is used. HIPAA provides penalties for covered entities that misuse personal health information.
For more information about HIPAA, your rights as a client, or limits to confidentiality, please discuss with your provider.
Billing and Payments:
Co-Pays and Deductibles:
Make sure to understand the specifics of your insurance coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance for in-network and out-of-network mental health benefits. For any inquiries, our billing office is ready to help—refer to our “get in touch” page for contact details.
Self Pay Rates:
New patient appointments: typically 90 min: $350
Follow-up sessions:
30 min: $175
45 min: $200
60 min: $250
Insurance:
In-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield State Health Plan and commercial BCBS plans.
This does NOT include BCBS Medicare plans. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.
Exciting news for Aetna insurance holders! We are currently in the credentialing process. This means that very soon, we’ll be able to extend our exceptional care to a wider network of individuals covered by Aetna insurance. If Aetna is your insurance provider, we invite you to join our list of valued patients eagerly awaiting the completion of our credentialing process by calling our office today. As soon as the final steps are wrapped up, we’ll be reaching out to schedule appointments for our newest members. Thank you for your patience as we work to expand our network and serve you better. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we look forward to welcoming you to our growing family of satisfied patients!
If you do not have BCBS we are happy to establish your care as a Self Pay patient if desired and can also electronically file your claims so you can reimbursed for any out of network benefits you may have. The only exception is Medicaid patients, as it is against the law for providers to accept cash payment from them.
Get In Touch
Physical Address:
1760 NC Highway 105,
Boone, NC 28607
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1987,
Boone, NC 28607
Email: office@abrownmd.com
Fax: (877) 847-0561
If you are having a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, please call or text 988.
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