Policies/Privacy Practices

Psychological Services:

The services our practices provide vary depending on your needs and your clinician’s treatment methods. Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs, ending with your clinician's initial impression of what your treatment will include and a plan to follow.  
 
Billing and Payments:
You will be expected to pay for each session at the time it is held, unless agreed otherwise. Methods of accepted payment vary by practice (credit card, insurance, etc.)  Please discuss payment options with your individual clinician.  Checks need to be made out to your individual clinician's practice.  Late charges will be added to accounts with any balance over 30 days old.  
 
Insurance Reimbursements:
Most of our practices have clinicians that are out-of-network providers for insurance carriers.  You will be provided with a claim form to submit to your insurance company following your payment for session.  If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment.  We strongly recommend researching details about your mental health coverage prior to scheduling your initial appointment.  
 
Cancellation Policy:
Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you.  Once this appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it unless you provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation.  It is important to note that insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for cancelled sessions.  In the event of inclement weather, please contact your individual clinician directly to verify closure.
 
Confidentiality:
In general, this protects the privacy of all communciation betwen a client and a psychologist.  In most situations, our practices can only release information about your treatment to other if you sign a written Authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA.  There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm, which may require revealing confidential information about a client's treatment. 
-If a clinician with one of our practices believes that a client presents as an imminent danger to him/herself, they may be required to seek hospitalization for the client, or contact family members or others who can help provide protection. 
 
-If there is a cause to suspect a child under 18 is abused or neglected, the law requires that a report be filed with the appropriate agency.  Once such a report is filed, additional information may be required.
 
-If there is a cause to suspect a disabled adult is in need of protective services, the law requires that a report be filed with the appropriate agency.  Once such a report is filed, additional information may be required.
 
-If there is reason to believe that a client presents in imminent danger to the health and safety of another, the clinicians in our practices may be required to disclose information in order to take protective actions, including initiating hospitalization, warning the potential victim, and/or calling the police. 

The clinicians in the practices that work within the Triangle Center for Behavioral Health hold themselves to strict confidentiality and are HIPAA compliant.  Please check with your individual clinician to review confidentiality and emergency plans.

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