Greenlake Psychiatric Care Treatment Policies
Expectations of Care - As a patient of Greenlake Psychiatric Care you can:
- Expect to be treated with respect and consideration.
- Expect us to strive to meet your individual needs.
- Expect your patient information to be kept confidential unless specifically requested or indicated otherwise by law.
- Expect care in a setting that does not practice any discrimination.
- Expect to be an active participant in your care, including receiving information about your condition and options for treatment.
- Expect to have grievances addressed appropriately.
Office Hours
Dr. Sastry’s office hours vary. Currently, her hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:30am to 12pm.
Telemedicine consent
Telemedicine is the use of electronic information and communication technologies by a healthcare provider used to deliver services to an individual when he/she is located at a different location or site than I am.
If you receive care through telemedicine, it will be done through a two-way video link-up. The healthcare provider will be able to see your image on the screen and hear your voice. You will be able to hear and see the healthcare provider.
The laws that protect privacy and the confidentiality of medical information including (HIPPA) also apply to telemedicine.
All financial terms that apply to in person visits as written in our financial policy apply to telemedicine.
You have the right to withdraw consent to the use of telemedicine in the course of care at any time, without affecting your right to future care or treatment.
By signing the consent to care document you are consenting to telemedicine if you schedule your appointment that way.
Appointments:
Intake forms, consent to treat, and financial policy must be completed and signed prior to your first appointment. If any forms are missing or not signed, the appointment may need to be rescheduled.
New patient appointments last for 60 to 90 minutes, follow up appointments are typically 20-30 min.
Dr. Sastry reserves your appointment time for you and will make every effort to start your appointments on time.
It is expected that you will make every effort to be ready for your appointment on time with the understanding that if you are late, you will be seen for the time remaining in your appointment, (if more than 10 minutes of appointment time is left) but additional time will not be added.
There is a $75 late cancellation/no show/late cancel fee (see financial policy)
Billing
Co-pays, balances and out of network payments are due at the time of your appointment. We request that you leave a credit card on file for telemedicine visits and outstanding balances. You are responsible for asking your insurance company if Dr. Sastry is in network prior to your visit and for updating Greenlake Psychiatric if there are any changes to your insurance.
Communication
Dr. Sastry can be reached by leaving a message with a staff member or on voicemail at (206) 524-5656 during regular office hours Monday through Friday. Please be as specific as possible when providing information in order to better manage your care. Dr. Sastry (or a staff member) will try to address any issues within 24 hours, or 1 business day. Any medication issues may take up to 48 hours.
Dr. Sastry DOES NOT communicate over email in order to better maintain issues of privacy and safety. If you choose to send emails to the practice please understand that they may be delayed and urgent messages should not be sent in email.
After hours/emergency
Dr. Sastry manages her calls after hours through an answering service. This is for URGENT concerns only. If there is an emergency, you will agree to go to the emergency room or call a crisis. Dr. Sastry cannot do emergency assessments over the phone.
Do not page Dr. Sastry after hours for refills- for after hours refills please leave a message on the staff message line and these will be given to Dr. Sastry during office hours.
Prescription Policies
Prescriptions will be managed during appointments; refills will be provided during appointments to last until next recommended visit. It is your responsibility to manage your supply of medication as the processing of urgent requests cannot be guaranteed. Any controlled substances (stimulants, sleep, short-acting anti-anxiety meds, etc.) need to be monitored closely with frequent visits. Refills for those medications will not be called in and will require an office visit. Dr. Sastry does not prescribe pain medications or medications to acutely manage withdrawal. Dr. Sastry will also only refill medications that she prescribes. If you are prescribed medications by Dr. Sastry, you will agree to only get those medications from her and inform her of any other similar medications you are prescribed. Dr. Sastry can utilize the Washington State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program at her discretion and any suspicious activity or results can alter your treatment.
Confidentiality
You can expect that your status as a patient and any accompanying information is confidential unless we explicitly have your written consent. This applies to picking up prescriptions, providing information to schools, faxing information, sharing information with other providers, etc. Information, such as diagnoses, appointments, treatment plans, etc., can be shared with insurance companies that we are billing for you. You are able to request a copy of your medical records.
Social Media and Networking
Dr. Sastry does not engage in social media or networking with patients in order to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Patient Satisfaction and Grievances
Dr. Sastry and her staff work to provide a high-quality, individualized, and effective experience. If you are in any way dissatisfied with your care, please address your concerns directly with Dr. Sastry or Dr. Tess Moore (Owner).