Psychiatry Services

General Guidelines        

1. If you think that you are having an allergic reaction to a medication, go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911, and follow up with your provider's office.

2. If for any reason you feel your medication needs to be adjusted or changed please contact us immediately to schedule an appointment.

3. If you have a formulary or a preferred medication, you MUST let our office know prior to your provider writing a prescription or calling in your medication. For example, if you want a brand name or need a less expensive medication, let our office know.

4. It is your responsibility to notify the office in a timely manner when refills are needed.

5. It is important to keep your scheduled appointment to ensure that you receive timely refills. Repeated no-shows or cancellations will result in a denial of refills.

6. Please plan ahead by scheduling a follow-up after each visit to avoid running out of medication.

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Controlled Substances Policy

1. All prescriptions for controlled substances require a face-to-face encounter in the office with your treating provider. It is our strict policy that there will be no refills of controlled substances called in over the phone or outside of your provider's office hours.

2. Patients are responsible for their controlled substance medication. You will need to be seen in our office every 30-90 days for controlled medications. No exceptions.

3. When it is medically necessary for our providers to treat you with a controlled substance, we abide by all local, state and federal regulations.

4. You will be asked to submit to a urine test to ensure compliance and safety of your controlled substance.

5. NOTE – Your provider may require formal ADHD testing before prescribing Stimulants for new patients. If you have documentation of testing within the past 12 months, please bring it to your appointment.

6. Controlled substances (pain, sleep, muscle relaxants, stimulants, anti-depressants) are tracked by the Drug Monitoring Program (PMP). Pharmacies and physicians DO track your usage of controlled substances through obtaining an online report, which annotates physicians who have prescribed, and pharmacies that have dispensed these medications.

Refill Regular Medications

1. All regular medications, non-controlled/non-narcotic prescriptions, require a follow-up appointment with your provider every 3-6 months (more frequent if necessary). This will be considered a regular office visit.

 

1. All prescription refill requests should originate from the patient by contacting their pharmacist and asking to request the refill electronically.

 

1. If your prescription bottle indicates you have refills left, you do not need to contact our office. Contact your pharmacy and they will refill it for you; be sure to give the pharmacy adequate time to fulfill your request, Please plan at least five (5) days in advance of your medication running out.

 

1. Refills can only be authorized on medication prescribed by providers from our office. We will not refill medications prescribed by other providers.

 

1. Refills will not be granted if a patient has persistent or worsening symptoms. You will need to schedule an appointment to be seen in our office.

 

1. Medication refills will only be addressed during your provider's regular office hours (please check back as hours may change)

   1. Melissa Hale MSN, RN, AGPNP-C  (Monday – Thursday)

   2. Kelly Shephard, PMHNP (Tuesday – Friday)

   3. Susan Lansbury RN, MSN, PCPNP-BC, PMHS-BC (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

   4. Margaret Shea, FNP (TBD)

 

1. It is your responsibility to make your follow-up appointment to ensure you do not run out of your prescription. Please do not call the office and expect your urgent request for a refill without an office visit. 

 

1. We do not accommodate same-day prescription refill requests. Please allow 72 business hours for refill requests.

 

1. No prescriptions will be refilled on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays.

 

1. If a patient does not attend an appointment for a period of time in excess of seven months, the patient’s medications will not be refilled. The patient may be scheduled as a new patient and complete a new intake at the discretion of your provider. If you have not been seen within this time your refill may be denied

 

1. If a patient is terminated from Family Focus, Inc, a 30-day supply of most medications will be granted; no changes to the current medication regimen will be made during this time.

 

Prior Authorizations

1. Many medications require prior authorization. Depending on your insurance this process may involve several steps by both your pharmacy and your provider. Once the prior authorization form is completed, both the pharmacy and our office must wait for the approval.

 

1. Neither the pharmacy nor the provider can guarantee that your insurance company will approve the medication. You may be required to make an office appointment to complete the process.