Frequently Asked Questions

Privacy Policy

All information I have about you is strictly confidential and will not be divulged without your (or in case of minors your parent/legal guardian’s) written consent on a form that meets legal requirements imposed by federal laws such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and state laws such as California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA). The laws do provide for exceptions to privacy protection in certain circumstances. For instance, I can reveal confidential information to prevent harm to my patient or someone else in case my patient threatens to hurt self or another. I am also obligated to report to the appropriate government agencies if I suspect that a child or adult has been a victim of abuse or neglect, and I do not need your consent for such reporting. For complete details about Federal privacy laws, go to https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html and for California privacy laws, please click https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

ANY release of medical records (including to yourself or to the parent/legal guardian of a minor) requires a valid signed release of information form. You may submit a Authorization For Release of Records form by clicking here.

Prescription Refills

Generally you will get refills for medicines at the time of your session that will last you until your next appointment with me. If you will run out of your medicine before your next appointment, please contact your pharmacy for a refill and the pharmacy will then send me an electronic refill request. Refill authorizations generally take up to ONE BUSINESS DAY.

For controlled substances (such as sedatives for anxiety or certain ADHD medicines), the DEA prohibits doctors from authorizing refills for more than 3 months. This means that if your last appointment with me was over 3 months ago, you cannot get a refill for these types of medications without a face-to-face appointment. NO EXCEPTIONS

If you have not seen me for a follow-up appointment for 3 or more months, prescription refills for other (non-controlled) medicines will will only be authorized for enough quantity to last you until you can see me for a follow-up appointment. Routine monitoring of medicines you take is essential for me to provide you with excellent mental health care.

EMAIL

Since confidentiality cannot be guaranteed for emails, it is my policy to not routinely answer any questions about your treatment by email. Established patients (and/or parents/legal guardians of my patients who are minors) can email or text my assistant to schedule routine appointments or for refills, and she is not qualified to respond to any clinical questions. For all clinical questions, please leave a confidential voicemail for me at 310.373.2585

CANCELLATION POLICY

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please cancel 2 BUSINESS DAYS in advance, otherwise the full fee for that session will be charged to the credit card you have on file in my office.