Practice Policies Overview

🧠 Consent for Treatment

By engaging in services with Alternative Awakenings Psychiatry, you consent to psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and/or psychotherapy. While treatment can be highly beneficial, results cannot be guaranteed. You may discontinue services at any time.

Confidentiality is respected and protected, with legal exceptions including:

  • Risk of harm to self or others

  • Abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult

  • Court orders or legal requirements

📄 Full Consent for Treatment available in patient intake forms & upon request

🔐 Privacy & HIPAA Compliance

Your privacy matters. We comply fully with HIPAA and California privacy laws.

We may use or disclose protected health information (PHI) only for:

  • Treatment

  • Payment

  • Healthcare operations

  • Legal or safety requirements

You have the right to:

  • Access your records

  • Request corrections

  • Request limits on disclosures

  • Receive breach notifications

📄 View our full HIPAA & Notice of Privacy Practices in intake forms & upon request

💻 Telepsychiatry & Electronic Communication

We offer secure telepsychiatry services for California residents located in California at the time of their appointment.

Important notes:

  • Telehealth may differ from in-person care

  • Technology issues may occur

  • Telehealth is not appropriate for emergencies

  • Sessions are not recorded without written consent

Email communication is optional and carries inherent privacy risks. Email is not used for emergencies.

📄 Policies & Telehealth Consents are outlined in the intake forms & upon request

📅 Scheduling & Cancellation Policy

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you.

  • 48 hours’ notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling

  • Late cancellations or no-shows are charged the full session fee

  • Arriving more than 15 minutes late may be treated as a late cancellation

  • Repeated missed appointments may result in termination of care

📄 Full Cancellation Policy are outlined in the intake forms & upon request

💳 Payment & Fees

A valid credit card is required on file prior to your first session

  • Payment is due at the time of service unless otherwise arranged

  • Additional services (forms, extended calls, legal matters) are billed separately

Examples of additional billable services include:

  • Reports or letters

  • Phone calls over 15 minutes

  • Coordination with other providers

  • Legal or court-related work

📄 Payment Policy & Credit Card Authorization are outlined in the intake forms & upon request

📘 Controlled Substances Policy

If prescribed controlled medications (e.g., stimulants or benzodiazepines), additional safeguards apply, including:

  • One designated pharmacy

  • Prescription monitoring database (PDMP) checks

  • Possible urine drug screenings

  • No early refills without documentation

  • Secure medication storage

Failure to comply may result in discontinuation of controlled substances.

📄 Controlled Substance Informed Consent are outlined in the intake forms & upon request

🗂 Insurance Billing

We may submit claims to insurance as a courtesy, but you are ultimately responsible for understanding your benefits and coverage.

  • You are responsible for copays, deductibles, and non-covered services

  • Lapses or changes in coverage may result in full charges

📄 Authorization to Bill Insurance are outlined in the intake forms & upon request

🤖 Use of AI Scribe Technology

With your consent, we may use an AI scribe to assist with clinical documentation.

  • Used only to support (not replace) provider judgment

  • HIPAA-compliant

  • Audio is securely discarded after sessions

📄 AI Scribe Consent

🗃 Medical Records Requests

You may request copies of your medical records at any time. Requests must be submitted in writing and may take time to process in accordance with legal requirements.

📄 Request for Medical Records

Practice & Availability Disclaimer

Alternative Awakenings Psychiatry operates as a group practice, which means multiple qualified providers are available to support patient care when my personal availability does not align with your scheduling needs.

Please note that I am currently pregnant and will be on maternity leave, during which time I will not be patient-facing. However, I will remain actively involved in the practice by monitoring, supervising, and approving treatment plans as part of a collaborative clinical team to ensure continuity and quality of care.

~ Julie Ann Therese De Los Santos