Frequently Asked Questions


why do you not bill all insurances?

Thank you for your question. As a small psychiatric mental health clinic, we understand that this can be a significant concern for many of our patients. North Coast Wellness is working on accepting all insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, but it takes time! Please click this link to verify your insurance.

https://www.jotform.com/203284614912049

We understand that this might be challenging for some patients, and we are committed to working with you to explore alternative payment options or provide documentation that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

what is the slinding scale fee for north coast wellness?

At North Coast Wellness we believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their financial situation. To ensure that our services are accessible to all patients, we offer a sliding scale fee schedule based on household income and family size. This fee schedule is designed to make our psychiatric medication management services more affordable for those in need.

Income Eligibility and Fee Schedule:

Household Income Fee (Initial) Fee (Follow-Up)

$0 - $30,000 $75 $40

$30,001 - $45,000 $150 $75

$45,001 - $60,000 $175 $90

$60,001 - $70,000 $200 $100

$70,001 and over is charged at the $75/15-minute rate

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Proof of Income: Patients must provide documentation of their household income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from an employer.

  2. Family Size: Patients must disclose the number of individuals in their household to ensure accurate application of the sliding scale.

  3. Annual Review: Eligibility for the sliding scale fee will be reviewed annually. Patients must update their income and household information each year.

How to Apply:

  1. Complete the Application Form: Obtain a sliding scale fee application form from our office or download it from our website.

  2. Submit Documentation: Attach proof of household income and family size to the completed application form.

  3. Review Process: Submit the application and documentation to our office. Our administrative team will review the application and determine the appropriate fee tier.

  4. Notification: Patients will be notified of their fee tier within 7 business days of submission.

General Information

  1. What services do you offer?

    • We provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and follow-up care for a variety of mental health conditions, all through telehealth.

    • We are able to order lab work through Quest Diagnostics and/or provide you a printed lab requisition to take to your preferred lab. Lab services are able to be billed to insurance by the chosen lab. We are also able to coordinate with your Primary Care Physician if you have recently had lab work; we do require a signed release of information to coordinate with your PCP office.

    • We also are proud to offer GeneSight testing as part of your tailored medication management plan. The GeneSight test is a kit that is sent to your home and does not require a lab! If you are unfamiliar with GeneSight testing please explore their website: https://genesight.com/

    • We are working on having in home EKG services set up for patients as well. More to come soon!

  2. What conditions do you treat?

    • We treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, stable SUD, and schizophrenia.

  3. What is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)?

    • A PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in mental health care, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychiatric disorders.

Appointments

  1. How do I schedule an appointment?

    • You can schedule an appointment by calling our office at 616-303-0660 or by using our online appointment booking system on our website.

  2. What should I prepare for my first telehealth appointment?

    • Please have a valid ID, a list of current medications, any relevant medical records or previous psychiatric evaluations, and ensure you have a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space for your appointment.

  3. How long is a typical appointment?

    • Initial evaluations typically last 60-90 minutes, while follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes.

Telehealth

  1. How do telehealth appointments work?

    • Telehealth appointments are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform. You will receive a link to join your appointment after scheduling.

  2. What equipment do I need for a telehealth appointment?

    • You will need a device with a camera and microphone (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer) and a stable internet connection.

Medication Management

  1. What can I expect during a medication management appointment?

    • During a medication management appointment, we will review your current medications, assess their effectiveness, discuss any side effects, and make any necessary adjustments.

  2. How often will I need to have telehealth appointments for medication management?

    • The frequency of visits depends on your individual treatment plan. Initially, you may need to be seen more frequently, but over time, appointments may be spaced out to every few months.

Insurance and Payment

  1. Do you accept insurance?

    • Yes. We are currently able to accept the following insurance, and working on adding more:

      Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Priority Health, and UHC (including each company’s Medicare and Medicaid)!

    • Use this link to verify your insurance: https://www.jotform.com/203284614912049

    • If you do not have insurance or you would like to opt out of billing insurance all services are self-pay and due at the time of service.

  2. What are your rates for services?

    • Please contact our office at 616-303-0660 or visit our website for information on our current rates.

  3. What forms of payment do you accept?

    • We accept credit/debit cards, FSA/HSA, and electronic payments.

Policies

  1. What is your cancellation policy?

    • We require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Failure to provide adequate notice will result in a $100 cancellation fee.

  2. What if I need a medication refill?

    • Please contact our office at least 5 business days before your medication runs out to request a refill.

Confidentiality and Privacy

  1. How do you ensure patient confidentiality?

    • We adhere to strict HIPAA guidelines to ensure that your personal and medical information remains confidential, even in a telehealth setting.

  2. Can I access my medical records?

    • Yes, you can request access to your medical records by contacting our office.

Contact Information

  1. How can I contact the office?

    • You can reach us by phone at 616-303-0660, by portal message, or via our website.

Emergency Situations

  1. What should I do in case of a psychiatric emergency?

    • If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency:

      • call 988

      • call 911

      • Go to the nearest emergency room immediately

    • If you are in or near Kent or Wayne Counties please go to the Crisis Stabilization Units:

      • Network180 Crisis Stabilization Unit

        • 260 Jefferson Ave SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

        • Open 24/7

        • 616.336.3909

      • Crisis Center - DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital