Psychiatry Services Frequently Asked Questions - Crossroads Health

General Psychiatry Questions

1. Can I do virtual appointments?

Yes! We offer both in-person and video virtual appointments.

2. Why did my psychiatry provider ask me to come in for an in person appointment?

At times, your psychiatry provider may ask that you come for an in person appointment. This is most frequently done when we need to obtain laboratory testing or when you have identified certain needs that are best assessed or managed in the office.

3. My psychiatry provider wants me to get labs, why is that?

As part of a whole person assessment, your psychiatry provider may order laboratory testing to ensure no other physical health conditions might be causing or worsening your behavioral health symptoms. There are also medications, that as part of good routine monitoring, we need to obtain lab results to confirm that you are receiving the best care. Examples of this include obtaining urine drug screen results, checking A1c or cholesterol and levels of certain types of medications. If you have questions about the need for the labs your psychiatry provider is happy to provide education and work with you to help support your access to care.

4. I have some questions but I’m not sure that I need to schedule an appointment, who should I talk to?

The Psychiatry Team has a group of dedicated Medical Assistants and Nurses who are here to help you with your needs between appointments with your psychiatry provider. You are welcome to call to speak with a nurse who can assess your current needs and help support your access to care. The Psychiatry Team can be reached at 440-639-2869. We are also happy to see you for a walk-in nursing appointment, Monday – Friday 9:00 – 4:30.

5. Is psychiatry the same thing as counseling?

While some people may find meeting with their psychiatry provider therapeutic, the primary purpose of these appointments is to provide medication management. Many of our providers are trained in providing therapeutic interventions. Regular psychiatry follow up appointments are typically scheduled for 20 minutes which does not allow for counseling to be provided. If you are interested in receiving counseling, we are happy to provide a referral to our highly qualified counseling departments!

6. I am currently receiving psychiatric medications; will my psychiatry provider continue those?

In your first appointment you and the psychiatry provider will talk about any treatments you are currently receiving. Many times, if you’re happy with your medication regimen and current symptom management your current course of treatment can be continued. Some medications like stimulants (i.e. Adderall) may require more information before we can manage them, such as obtaining or providing results of testing or previous records showing treatment. If you have that information, it is best to bring it with you for your first appointment. If those items need to be obtained from a previous provider, we can request those on your behalf with a signed Release of Information.

7. I am not sure if I have refills on my medications, who can help me with that?

The best place to start with those questions is the pharmacy that you choose to fill your medications at. We recommend that you speak with a live person at that pharmacy to get the most accurate information. Many times, we have found that if you think you should have refills you probably do! The quickest way to address this need is with your pharmacy but if you still have questions after that please give our team a call.

8. What do I do if I need to talk to someone when Crossroads Health is closed?

We have made it our priority to support patients getting answers to their urgent needs at all points in time! During times the agency is closed, we have on-call nurses through Access Nurse, available to triage your needs and support managing urgent or emergent health care needs. You can reach Access Nurse by calling the main agency line and selecting that option from the auto attendant. They will also communicate with your treatment team at Crossroads Health, and we will follow up with you to determine if your needs have been met.

 

Express Scheduling

9. What happens if I need to be seen sooner than the recommended call back date?

We are here to provide support along your journey to recovery, if you are having side effects from medications, an increase in symptoms or any other concerns you can schedule to come back sooner. This is a big part of why we offer Express Scheduling as it allows patients to have quicker access to their healthcare providers rather than having to wait weeks or months to get in for a follow-up appointment.

10. My psychiatry provider wants to see me in 4 weeks and sent in 30 days of medications, can I have a longer script?

One of the built-in reminders that is part of Express Scheduling is that your psychiatry provider will send in enough medication to last until you are due to return for a follow up appointment. We do this for multiple reasons, first is that it helps patients to remember to return for their appointment. Secondly, it limits you having unused medications at home if you and your psychiatry provider are making changes to your current regimen and ultimately supports managing the cost of medications for you as a patient as well.

11. My insurance requires 90 day scripts for maintenance medications but my provider wants to see me back in a month, what can we do?

We understand that there are times that insurance companies may have specific requirements such as 90 day supplies of medications. If this is the case please let your provider know, and we may be able to send a 90 day supply.

12. What is the point of doing bridge scripts?

If you need to return for an appointment, but you have run out of your medication, your psychiatry provider may call in a bridge script to ensure you have access to your medications until your scheduled appointment. We do this to support you attending your needed appointment and to make sure that we have assessed any potential for any changes in your treatment regimen, side effects or adverse reactions to medications and respond to those quickly.

13. Why do I have to go to a No-Show Clinic?

The daily No Show Clinics are there to ensure we have assessed your needs and any potential side effects or adverse reactions to medications. Having these clinics provides you with an opportunity to meet with our nurses and discuss any needs you may have or barriers to attending appointments that we can support you with. These No-Show Clinics are also an important part of how we can maintain accessibility to appointments with your psychiatry provider within 2 weeks of you calling to schedule.