Cancellations
When it is necessary to cancel an appointment at Regent Mental Health Group, one is expected to give 24 hours notice. All patients are responsible for the professional fee when an appointment is failed or canceled improperly (emergencies and illness are exempted). Private insurance and medical assistance will not reimburse for last minute cancellations or for failed appointments. Patients may be billed directly in these circumstances.

Insurance
Patients who do not have insurance or are choosing to "self-pay" are required to pay 100% of the professional fee at the time of visit. Some clinicians offer a discount for same day payment and/or limited financial resources based upon review of financial disclosure information.

Patients who have insurance that requires a co-payment must pay that amount at the time of visit

Prior Authorization For Medication
Regent Mental Health Group clinicians responsibility is to recommend the safest most efficacious treatment for any particular individual patient who has sought diagnosis and treatment here at the clinic. We have little influence over third party payers who wish to "set up preferred drug lists" or "formulary" medication lists. We also have no control over the process on which there companies allow for exceptions. Given that Regent Mental Health has always been a tertiary care center we often make recommendations for some medications which are not on these standard lists. The reason for this is that consumers come here for the highest level of care and have often tried the more conventional less costly generic treatment prior to starting at the clinic. We deal with over 450 third party payers many of whom have these "preferred drug" lists or "formulary" lists. It is impossible for us to keep track of which companies offer which medications and the frequency in which updates and changes are made.

We will make efforts to provide prior authorizations as needed but may request that consumers help. Ultimately it is the consumer and third party payer who are responsible for how the medications are funded. Third party payers are responsible for their own process of prior authorization. Although pharmacies may suggest that it is as simple as calling an 800 number. The 800 numbers may be either incorrect of lead to delays before decisions are made. We may be simply told "it is not a covered benefit."

Some companies require a lengthy appeal process. As a result if we are having difficulty obtaining a prior authorization, consumers may be asked to reschedule in the clinic to see the doctor and discuss these issues directly to develop a plan. Finally consumers are encouraged to bring any information that they may have about formulary/preferred drug lists and/or prior authorization forms that they may find for example on the internet or that their company has provided. Although the third party payers have instituted this process they provide no reimbursement to cover the costs. In spite of this disincentive our mission is still to recommend the most efficacious treatments and those with the least side effects.