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Practice Policies
Our aim is to use modern technology to efficiently deliver the best possible mental health care to patients. To that aim, this page describes the conditions of services provided by Apraku Psychiatry. Patients are required to confirm their consent to these conditions when booking an appointment and when starting a video session with a provider.
Consent to Services
Therapeutic Relationship
All new patients undergo an initial evaluation so that the provider may make a diagnostic assessment and offer treatment recommendations where relevant. After the evaluation, the provider will determine whether it would be appropriate to establish a therapeutic relationship, and the patient may decide whether to seek treatment. In certain cases, the provider may determine that tele-medicine is not an appropriate mode of treatment. While the provider may offer advice on the alternative treatment to be sought, they are not responsible for the patient's decision on whether and how to seek such treatment. If a patient faces an emergency---including a threat of physical harm to themselves or others---they should seek help from the relevant emergency services.
Clinical Services
All services rendered by Apraku Psychiatry are provided on an outpatient basis via advance appointment using secure telecommunication software. To ensure continuity of care and appropriate treatment, patients with whom an Apraku Psychiatry provider has an established therapeutic relationship should have a follow-up appointment at least every three months.
Controlled Substances
Federal law places restrictions on the prescription of controlled substances via tele-medicine. This includes stimulants (e.g. Adderall and Ritalin), benzodiazepenes (e.g. Xanax and Klonopin), and sleep medications (e.g. Ambien and Lunesta). If a controlled substance is medically indicated, an Apraku Psychiatry provider may be able to work with a patient's primary care provider.
Written Communication
Patients may use the online patient portal to securely message their provider. This option is provided as a complimentary service to support patient care. While responses are usually prompt, there is no guarantee of immediacy. Messages should not be sent by patients experiencing an emergency; instead, the assistance of relevant emergency services should be sought. Moreover, secure messaging may not be appropriate in other contexts, including when patients seek to change or substantially alter their prescribed medication. In such cases, patients should schedule an appointment to discuss treatment options.
Payment
Apraku Psychiatry does not bill insurance companies directly. While patients will on request be provided with documentation with which they may seek reimbursement, Apraku Psychiatry does not bear responsibility for the success or otherwise of such insurance claims. To ensure efficiency of services, patients are requested to provide payment details when booking their first appointment. Payment details are securely vaulted by a third-party payment processor. By providing these details, the patient consents for Apraku Psychiatry to pre-authorize the payment card in advance of each appointment and to subsequently bill for services at the prevailing fees schedule. In the event of a patient no-show or cancelation that occurs less than 48 hours before the appointment time, or in the event that a patient is not located in the state reported on the intake form, Apraku Psychiatry charges half the standard rate of services sought.
Patient Privacy
Confidentiality
Apraku Psychiatry will maintain the privacy of patients' protected health information within the practice. Protected health information will only be accessible to providers within the practice and any ancillary persons whose administrative services may be utilized by the practice. Unless instructed by the patient, Apraku Psychiatry will not share information with third parties outside the practice, except in exceptional circumstances whereby a provider reasonably believes that the patient is in imminent danger of harm to themselves or others or a vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, or the law requires certain information to be disclosed. In addition, to ensure effective patient care, limited information may be disclosed to pharmacies, laboratories and other providers of ancillary health care services. Due to the nature of billing, the name "Apraku Psychiatry" or similar may appear on a statement from the payment card issuer.
Security of Records
Apraku Psychiatry will maintain the security of patients' protected health information within the practice. To maintain patient records securely, Apraku Psychiatry may utilize the services of electronic medical records companies. Apraku Psychiatry may also utilize the services of telecommunications companies to facilitate virtual interactions between providers and patients. Where such services are employed, Apraku Psychiatry will maintain a business associate agreement with the relevant vendors. In the unlikely event that a vendor experiences a security breach, Apraku Psychiatry will make reasonable efforts to notify patients.
Request for Medical Records
The patient may request a copy of their medical record held by Apraku Psychiatry. Records will be shared unless a provider determines that it would be emotionally damaging to the patient. In this case, the provider may discuss the situation with the patient. The patient may request a correction of any information that they believe is incorrect.
Complaints
At Apraku Psychiatry, patient satisfaction is the ultimate aim. If a patient feels that the practice has fallen short of that aim or that their rights may have been violated, they may contact the practice to discuss the matter and seek remedy. Patients may also file a complaint with the relevant state medical board (i.e. CA, FL, GA, MA, PA or TX), in which case the practice will fully respect due process.
Apraku Psychiatry will maintain the privacy of patients' protected health information within the practice. Protected health information will only be accessible to providers within the practice and any ancillary persons whose administrative services may be utilized by the practice. Unless instructed by the patient, Apraku Psychiatry will not share information with third parties outside the practice, except in exceptional circumstances whereby a provider reasonably believes that the patient is in imminent danger of harm to themselves or others or a vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, or the law requires certain information to be disclosed. In addition, to ensure effective patient care, limited information may be disclosed to pharmacies, laboratories and other providers of ancillary health care services. Due to the nature of billing, the name "Apraku Psychiatry" or similar may appear on a statement from the payment card issuer.
Security of Records
Apraku Psychiatry will maintain the security of patients' protected health information within the practice. To maintain patient records securely, Apraku Psychiatry may utilize the services of electronic medical records companies. Apraku Psychiatry may also utilize the services of telecommunications companies to facilitate virtual interactions between providers and patients. Where such services are employed, Apraku Psychiatry will maintain a business associate agreement with the relevant vendors. In the unlikely event that a vendor experiences a security breach, Apraku Psychiatry will make reasonable efforts to notify patients.
Request for Medical Records
The patient may request a copy of their medical record held by Apraku Psychiatry. Records will be shared unless a provider determines that it would be emotionally damaging to the patient. In this case, the provider may discuss the situation with the patient. The patient may request a correction of any information that they believe is incorrect.
Complaints
At Apraku Psychiatry, patient satisfaction is the ultimate aim. If a patient feels that the practice has fallen short of that aim or that their rights may have been violated, they may contact the practice to discuss the matter and seek remedy. Patients may also file a complaint with the relevant state medical board (i.e. CA, FL, GA, MA, PA or TX), in which case the practice will fully respect due process.
