Policies

Dr. Poulakos has a 48 hour cancellation policy, in which patients are charged the entire visit fee for cancellations/no shows that are not made greater than 48 hours in advance. This is because a 60 or 30 minute appointment slot is entirely reserved for you. Insurance does not reimburse anything for canceled/no show appointments. Dr. Poulakos does not double/triple book patients like some completely insurance-based practices, as this creates a situation where patients face extended wait times and appointments are rushed. Dr. Poulakos will respect your time and in return it is asked that you respect his.

1. Frequency of visits varies based on each individual case and may be influenced by a number of factors including acuity, the type of medication you may be prescribed, risk, etc.
2. For controlled substances (including stimulants and benzodiazepine medications), it is typical to require monthly appointments.

Our decision is based in part on recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), but other factors may be considered. Some of these include but are not limited to: whether we and our families have been vaccinated, our health or the health of those we are in close contact with, and risk of exposure outside of this setting. There may be other concerns that we can talk about. Upon signature of the COVID-19 consent form, found in the patient portal, it will be an official agreement between us.

Decision to Meet Face-to-Face

1. We have agreed to meet in person for some or all future sessions. If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, however, I may require that we meet via telehealth. If you have concerns about meeting through telehealth, we will talk about it first and try to address any issues. You understand that, if I believe it is necessary, I may determine that we return to telehealth for everyone’s well-being. If you decide at any time that you would feel safer staying with, or returning to, telehealth services, I will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate. Reimbursement for telehealth services is also determined by the insurance companies and applicable law, so we’ll discuss any financial implications if needed.
2. Risks of Opting for In-Person Services
3. You understand that by coming to the office, you are assuming the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (or other public health risk). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation, cab, or ridesharing service.

Your Responsibility to Minimize Your Exposure

To obtain services in person, you agree to take certain precautions which will help keep everyone (you, me, and our families, and other patients) safer from exposure, sickness and possible death. If you do not adhere to these safeguards, it may result in our starting / returning to a telehealth arrangement. Initial each to indicate that you understand and agree to these actions:

• You will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom free.
• You will only keep your in-person appointment if you have been fever free for a minimum of 10 days prior to our appointment.
• You will cancel your appointment if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive within the last 14 days.
• You will take your temperature before coming to each appointment. If it is elevated (100 Fahrenheit or more), or if you have other symptoms of the coronavirus, you agree to cancel the appointment or proceed using telehealth. If you wish to cancel for this reason, I won’t charge you our normal cancellation fee.
• You will wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter the building.
• You will wear a mask in all public areas of the office suite where others may be present (I [and my staff] will too).
• You will try not to touch your face or eyes with your hands. If you do, you will immediately wash or sanitize your hands.
• You will take steps between appointments to minimize your exposure to COVID.
• If you have a job that exposes you to other people who are infected, you will immediately let me know.
• If a resident of your home tests positive for the infection, you will immediately let me know and we will then resume treatment via telehealth.

Subject to Change

I may change the above precautions if additional local, state or federal orders or guidelines are published. If that happens, we will talk about any necessary changes.

If You or I Are Sick

You understand that I am committed to keeping you, me, [my staff] and all of our families safe from the spread of this virus. If you show up for an appointment and I [or my office staff] believe that you have a fever or other symptoms, or believe you have been exposed, I will have to require you to leave the office immediately. We can follow up with services by telehealth as appropriate. If I test positive for the coronavirus, I will notify you so that you can take appropriate precautions. Your Confidentiality in the Case of Infection If you have tested positive for the coronavirus, I may be required to notify local health authorities that you have been in the office. If I have to report this, I will only provide the minimum information necessary for their data collection and will not go into any details about the reason(s) for our visits.