Question 1

Scheduling & Fees

Accepted Answer

Please start by completing the Appointment Request form on my website to inquire about intake availability. Alternatively, you can call the office (720-575-4480) and leave a voicemail with the same information requested in the contact form.

Dr. Sheldon understands that first appointments can be anxiety provoking and that people are already busy balancing multiple demands on their time. So it is important for both the patient and the provider to feel like it is a good fit for the patient to get the most gains from their treatment before engaging in the initial appointment. Once Dr. Sheldon has had a chance to review your initial patient inquiry, she will either send you a message or call you directly to let you know her availability at this time and to discuss fit and set up an intake appointment if appropriate.

Final agreement on both parties to continue with treatment is made after the initial intake is completed. Because of the extensive time and energy that Dr. Sheldon will take in making sure she truly understands you and your needs, the intake will be charged at the time of service regardless of whether the parties agree to continue long-term treatment or not.

At the end of the intake, Dr. Sheldon will explain the type and frequency of treatment she would recommend to be sure we are all on the same page about the time and financial commitment you will be making. Dr. Sheldon strongly believes that for you to make real gains towards your wellness goals, therapy should be part of your treatment journey. Medications can be helpful in regulating natural occurring chemicals in your body which can in turn help to decrease symptom frequency and intensity. The purpose of taking medications is not to eliminate all feelings or emotional reactions but to rather allow these reactions to fall within a range that you feel more in control and can continue to function in the way you want within your life. It is also important to take time to reflect on your past and look at building skills for the future so that you can engage in the activities and have the interpersonal relationships you desire.

Appointment fee are as follows:
Psychiatric Intake/Assessment $375
Ongoing Medication Management & Therapy $225
Medication Management Only $150
Extended Phone Support $60/15min

Question 2

Appointments (Rescheduling, Late Shows, & Missed)

Accepted Answer

You will not be charged any fee if an appointment is cancelled more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. If you cancel your appointment within 24-48 hours of the scheduled appointment, there is a $75 fee as Dr. Sheldon often cannot fill that appointment time.

If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or are more than 10 min late for your appointment, you will need to reschedule the appointment. You will be charged $100 for the missed appointment.

If you are a no show/no call for your appointment, you will be charged for the entire missed appointment.

These fees are charged regardless of the reason.

To remain an active patient, you must attend at least one appointment with Dr. Sheldon quarterly unless otherwise mutually agreed upon exceptions have been established. If 90 days have passed with no contact, or if you have missed three appointments or two sequential appointments, Dr. Sheldon may initiate the discharge process.

If you have more than two no shows or same-day cancellations, you will be asked to complete a treatment contract.

Please let Dr. Sheldon know if you have any questions about billing or fees; it is best to talk about problems or concerns before they feel unmanageable.

Question 3

Billing

Accepted Answer

Dr. Emily Sheldon, MD and New Chapter Psychiatry, PLLC do not contract with any insurance companies, meaning Dr. Sheldon is an out-of-network provider. Fees are charged to the payment card on file at the time of service. If you believe you are eligible for out-of-network benefits, you can download an invoice/superbill from your patient portal to submit to your insurance company, but Dr. Sheldon does not guarantee any type of reimbursement on your insurance companies’ behalf.  
Based on Colorado State law, individuals enrolled in Medicaid need to see a Medicaid-enrolled provider. Dr. Sheldon is not a contracted provider for Medicaid or Medicare.

Repeated failure to pay your balance will result in the initiation of termination of care unless a payment plan is in place. Ongoing failure to pay after termination may result in your account being referred to a collection agency. All delinquencies will be subject to outside collections and fees, such as court or attorney fees which may be associated with this. The delinquent party will then be responsible for all such fees. In such circumstances, Dr. Sheldon may need to reveal your contact information as necessary for the collection process; therapy or treatment notes would not be given or shared with such collection agency.

Question 4

Communication

Accepted Answer

Once you are an active patient, Dr. Sheldon will let you know how to access your patient portal where you can send a secure message to Dr. Sheldon.  This is the preferred form of messaging for active patients.  Please remember that if you message outside of business hours it may not be seen or responded to until the next business day.  Alternatively, and if you are not yet an active patient, you can call the office (720-575-4480) and leave a voicemail.  Dr. Sheldon is seldom able to answer the phone directly, though she does check voicemails frequently during her business hours.

Dr. Sheldon may contact you via text message in very specific situations, typically regarding last-minute schedule changes only or to set up another time to talk. Texting is not an appropriate way to ask questions about treatment or to discuss your treatment; this should be done through messaging in the secure patient portal for the protection of your medical information. Your electronic signature to the “General Policies” form at intake includes your consent to receive these texts at the phone number you provide. Please note that any communications with this office may become part of your medical record.

Question 5

In Person Appointments

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sheldon prefers in person appointments.

Meaningful recovery includes being present enough in your own life to be attuned to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit. Awareness and compassion are essential to creating an environment that’s conducive to your healing and wellness. Dr. Sheldon believes that the most therapeutic connections are made in face-to-face encounters.  She recognizes that every individual has many demands on their time, but also feels strongly that when an individual prioritizes creating space for their mental wellness, they will get the most out of their treatment. Because of this, Dr. Sheldon conducts in-person appointments; telemedicine evaluation intakes are not offered under any circumstances. Dr. Sheldon’s opinion, rendered through experience, is that in-person appointments generally support best outcomes. There may be very limited exceptions for follow-up telemedicine appointments when mutually agreed upon.

Question 6

Establishing & Ending Treatment Expectations

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sheldon has not established care with an individual and will not prescribe any medications for an individual until the initial intake appointment is completed.  If you are on any current medications, you should bring a list of medications and doses to your intake, although being previously on a medication does not guarantee Dr. Sheldon will continue to prescribe this. You should also ask your previous provider to supply you with refills until your intake with Dr. Sheldon is completed.

At some point in your treatment journey, you will likely reach a place where you are ready to either terminate care or transfer care back to a primary provider. Please have discussions in advance with Dr. Sheldon about this so that we can work together to make this a smooth transition where you are less likely to have gaps in your medications.

Dr. Sheldon reserves the right to terminate and transfer care. In these instances, you will be provided with 1 month of medication (if indicated) and a list of local providers.  If you have more than 2 no shows or same-day cancellations, you will be asked to complete a treatment contract.  If you then fail to meet the terms agreed upon in this contract or make no contact with Dr. Sheldon for over 90 days you are choosing to discharge on your own and Dr. Sheldon reserves the right to abruptly stop providing medications.

To remain an active patient, you must attend at least one appointment with Dr. Sheldon quarterly unless otherwise mutually agreed upon exceptions have been established.

Question 7

After Hours Services

Accepted Answer

New Chapter Psychiatry, PLLC is not a 24/7 crisis service facility. For a list of 24/7 walk-in clinics, please go to www.coloradocrisisservices.org, or call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, or text TALK to 38255. Alternatively, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or use this website text 988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/.

Please note that messages left outside of business hours are not typically checked until the next business day and that it can take Dr. Sheldon up to two business days to return messages.

If you are having a life threatening medical or mental health emergency go to the nearest emergency room, or call 9-1-1

If Dr. Sheldon is out of town, the office voicemail will explain whether she is checking her own messages or how to contact the psychiatrist on-call. If you run out of your medication, ask your pharmacy to provide you with a three-day emergency supply (they will typically do this for non-controlled substances).

Question 8

Patient Confidentiality

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sheldon is aware that confidentiality is a prerequisite for your trust. You are welcome to review the HIPAA privacy practices. In the following situations, we are legally required to reveal treatment information:

If you pose an imminent physical danger to yourself or someone else 
If we suspect child or elder abuse 
If compelled to do so by a court of law

To improve the safety and success of your treatment, you will likely be asked to sign authorizations for Dr. Sheldon to speak with your other providers, such as your therapist, your previous psychiatric prescriber, primary care provider, or other specialty medical providers, and it is helpful for you to sign a release of information for your emergency contact as well.

Question 9

Prescription Medication Monitoring

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sheldon participates in the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to track controlled substance prescriptions from all providers to prevent misuse.  Any medical provider, veterinary medical provider and pharmacist who is enrolled can access this site.

Question 10

Risks & Benefits of Treatment

Accepted Answer

Medical and psychiatric treatments can provide significant benefits, but they also pose risks. You will be given information about these during your care. Dr. Sheldon is optimistic that you can feel better but cannot guarantee that you will have any specific outcome or that a particular treatment will be safe or effective for you personally.

Risks and benefits of psychotherapy: Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. Possible risks include the experience of uncomfortable feelings (such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, or helplessness) or the recall of unpleasant events. Potential benefits include a reduction in feelings of distress, better relationships, better problem-solving and coping skills, and resolution of specific problems. Given the nature of psychotherapy, it remains an inexact science and no guarantees can be made regarding the outcome.

Question 11

Refills

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sheldon requests that follow-up appointments be scheduled to coincide with medication refill needs. While it is not the intent for you to have any lapse in medication(s), Dr. Sheldon will no longer refill medication(s) if you have failed to make regular follow-up appointments. In rare instances when you might need a refill before your next scheduled appointment, requests should be made at least 5 days in advance of medications running out.  If you need this refill because of missed appointments or late cancellations, Dr. Sheldon reserves the right to charge for the time spent providing the refill. Prior authorizations for medications can be very time-consuming and therefore Dr. Sheldon reserves the right to charge for this if needed as well; typically, insurance companies want this done annually for medications outside of their preferred panels.