School Psychologists At the time of employment and subject to (b) above, full credit for specialized work as a psychologist in a school program shall be given. Full credit for other clinic experience may be given, subject to approval by the Human Resources Division.
Psychologists Psychologists hired by the Employer, with no prior years of experience as a school psychologist, teacher, or prior years of military service shall be placed on Step 1 of the salary schedule effective July 1, 1990. Credit for combined years of prior experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and active military service experience shall be allowed at a rate of one (1) year for each twelve (12) months of continuous service up to a maximum of eight (8) years, as per credit requirements in Salary guidelines. Retroactive to the 2000 – 2001 school year, for new school psychologists, credit for combined years of prior experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and active military service experience shall be allowed at a rate of one (1) year for each twelve
Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege The information disclosed by Patient, as well as any records created, is subject to the psychotherapist-patient privilege. The psychotherapist-patient privilege results from the special relationship between Therapist and Patient in the eyes of the law. It is akin to the attorney-client privilege or the doctor-patient privilege. Typi- cally, the patient is the holder of the psychotherapist-patient privilege. If Therapist received a subpoena for records, deposition testimony, or testimony in a court of law, Therapist will assert the psychotherapist-patient privilege on Patient’s behalf until instructed, in writing, to do otherwise by Patient or Patient’s representative. Patient should be aware that he/she might be waiving the psychotherapist-patient privilege if he/she makes his/her mental or emotional state an issue in a legal proceeding. Patient should address any concerns he/she might have regarding the psychotherapist-patient privilege with his/her attorney. Fee and Fee Arrangements The usual and customary fee for service is $100.00 per 50-minute session. Sessions longer than 50-minutes are charged for the additional time pro rata. Therapist reserve the right to periodically adjust this fee. Patient will be notified of any fee adjustment in advance. In addition, this fee may be adjusted by contract with in- surance companies, managed care organizations, or other third-party payers, or by agreement with Therapist. From time-to-time, Therapist may engage in telephone contact with Patient for purposes other than sched- uling sessions. Patient is responsible for payment of the agreed upon fee (on a pro rata basis) for any tele- phone calls longer than ten minutes. In addition, from time-to-time, Therapist may engage in telephone con- tact with third parties at Patient’s request and with Patient’s advance written authorization. Patient is respon- sible for payment of the agreed upon fee (on a pro rata basis) for any telephone calls longer than ten minutes. Patients are expected to pay for services at the time services are rendered. Therapist accepts cash, or major credit cards.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems you hope to address. There are many different methods I may use to deal with those problems. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home. Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Because therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. When treating insomnia specifically, therapy might cause you to experience increased sleepiness and fatigue, especially in the early phases of treatment. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, significant reductions in feelings of distress, improved sleep, and less fatigue. But there are no guarantees as to what you will experience. Our first session will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a treatment plan to follow, if you decide to continue with me for therapy. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions about whether you feel comfortable working with me. At the end of the evaluation, I will notify you if I believe that I am not the right therapist for you and if so, I will give you referrals to other practitioners who I believe are better suited to help you. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion. Please note that the psychological services I provide are not for emergency situations. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. FEES My fee is $395 for an initial evaluation lasting 90 minutes, and $250 for each subsequent psychotherapy session (either in-person or over the telephone) lasting 45 minutes. I charge this same $250 per 45-minutes rate for other professional services you may need, though I will prorate the cost if I work for periods of less than 45 minutes in increments of 15 minutes, rounded to the nearest 15-minute increment (e.g., 22 minutes of service will be charged for 15 minutes whereas 23 minutes of service will be charged for 30 minutes). Other professional services include telephone conversations or email responses lasting longer than 15 minutes, and the time spent performing any other service you may request of me. If you become involved in legal proceedings that require my participation, you will be expected to pay for any professional time I spend on your legal matter, even if the request comes from another party, at the same $250 per 45-minutes rate. I do not charge for time spent writing reports and progress notes as per the standard routine of my care of you. I also do not charge for any time I may spend collaborating with your other providers. From time to time, I may institute fee increases and these will be discussed and agreed upon ahead of time with a new Treatment Contract. If it has been more than one year since our last appointment, then you will re-initiate services at my current standard fee which may be higher than the fee you were previously paying. In addition, if it has been more than one year since our last appointment, you will be scheduled for another initial evaluation (90 minutes) and charged accordingly, with subsequent 45-minute psychotherapy sessions thereafter. INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT You are responsible for paying your full session fee. I am not in-network with any insurance companies. If you decide to submit claims to your insurance company for reimbursement for any out-of-network benefits you might have, you may do so. However, be aware that the services provided will still be charged to you, not your insurance company, and you are responsible for the full payment. I have no role in deciding what your insurance covers. You are responsible for checking your insurance coverage, deductibles, payment rates, pre-authorization procedures, etc. Missed appointments, late cancellations (i.e., cancellations within 24 hours of service), and telephone session are not typically covered by insurance companies and therefore you will likely be responsible for the full session fee in these instances. If your insurance company doesn’t reimburse you, I am not responsible for refunding you any payment you expected to be reimbursed or otherwise. I will provide you a superbill after each session with the following information that you will need to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement for any out-of-network benefits you might have:
Mastectomy Services Inpatient This plan provides coverage for a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours in a hospital following a mastectomy and a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours in a hospital following an axillary node dissection. Any decision to shorten these minimum coverages shall be made by the attending physician in consultation with and upon agreement with you. If you participate in an early discharge, defined as inpatient care following a mastectomy that is less than forty-eight (48) hours and inpatient care following an axillary node dissection that is less than twenty-four (24) hours, coverage shall include a minimum of one (1) home visit conducted by a physician or registered nurse.
Radiation Therapy/Chemotherapy Services This plan covers chemotherapy and radiation services. Respiratory Therapy This plan covers respiratory therapy services. When respiratory services are provided in your home, as part of a home care program, durable medical equipment, supplies, and oxygen are covered as a durable medical equipment service.
Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies Biological products for allergen immunotherapy and vaccinations. • Blood fractions. • Compound prescription drugs that are not made up of at least one legend drug. • Bulk powders and chemicals used in compound prescriptions that are not FDA approved, are not covered unless listed on our formulary. • Prescription drugs prescribed or dispensed outside of our dispensing guidelines. • Prescription drugs ordered or prescribed based solely on online questionnaires, telephonic interviews, surveys, emails, or any other marketing solicitation methods, whether alone or in combination. • Prescription drugs that have not proven effective according to the FDA. • Prescription drugs used for cosmetic purposes. • Prescription drugs purchased from a non-designated pharmacy, if a pharmacy has been designated for you through the Pharmacy Home Assignment program. • Experimental prescription drugs including those placed on notice of opportunity hearing status by the Federal Drug Efficacy Study Implementation (DESI). • Prescription drugs provided to you that are not dispensed by a network pharmacy or covered under your medical plan. • Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment and supplies purchased at a non-network pharmacy unless indicated as covered in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits. • Prescription drug related medical supplies except for diabetic, regardless of the reason prescribed, the intended use, or medical necessity. Examples include, but are not limited to, alcohol pads, bandages, wraps or pill holders. • Off-label use of prescription drugs except as described in Experimental or Investigational Services in Section 3; • Prescribed weight-loss drugs. • Replacement of prescription drugs resulting from a lost, stolen, broken or destroyed prescription order or refill. • Therapeutic devices and appliances, including hypodermic needles and syringes except when used to administer insulin. • Prescription drugs, therapeutic equivalents, or any other pharmaceuticals used to treat sexual dysfunctions. • Vitamins, unless specifically listed as a covered healthcare service. • A prescription drug refill greater than the refill number authorized by your physician, more than a year from the date of the original prescription, or limited by law. • Long acting opioids and other controlled substances, nicotine replacement therapy, and specialty prescription drugs when purchased from a mail order pharmacy. • Prescription drugs and specialty prescription drugs when the required prescription drug preauthorization is not obtained. • Certain prescription drugs that have an over-the-counter (OTC) equivalent. • Prescriptions filled through an internet pharmacy that is not a verified internet pharmacy practice site certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. • Illegal drugs, including medical marijuana, which are dispensed in violation of state and/or federal law. Private Duty Nursing Services • Services of a nurse's aide. • Services of a private duty nurse: o when the primary duties are limited to bathing, feeding, exercising, homemaking, giving oral medications or acting as companion or sitter; o after the caregiver or patient have demonstrated the ability to carry out the plan of care; o provided outside the home. Examples include at school, or in a nursing or assisted living facility; o that are duplication or overlap of services. Examples include when a person is receiving hospice care services or for the same hours of a skilled nursing home care visit; o that are for observation only; and o provided as part-time/intermittent and not continuous care. • Maintenance care when the condition has stabilized including routine ostomy care or tube feeding administration or if the anticipated need is indefinite. • Twenty-four (24) hour private duty nursing care for a person without an available caregiver in the home. • Respite care (e.g., care during a caregiver vacation) or private duty nursing so that the caregiver may attend work or school. Surgery Services • Abdominoplasty. • Brow ptosis surgery. • Cervicoplasty. • Chemical exfoliations, peels, abrasions, dermabrasions, or planing for acne, scarring, wrinkling, sun damage or other benign conditions. • Correction of variations in normal anatomy including augmentation mammoplasty, mastopexy, and correction of congenital breast asymmetry. • Dermabrasion. • Ear piercing or repair of a torn earlobe. • Excision of excess skin or subcutaneous tissue except for panniculectomy. • Genioplasty. • Hair transplants. • Hair removal including electrolysis epilation, unless in relation to gender reassignment services or skin grafting. • Inverted nipple surgery. • Laser treatment for acne and acne scars. • Osteoplasty - facial bone reduction. • Otoplasty. • Procedures to correct visual acuity including but not limited to cornea surgery or lens implants. • Removal of asymptomatic benign skin lesions. • Repeated cauterizations or electrofulguration methods used to remove growths on the skin. • Rhinoplasty.
Pharmacy Benefits - Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies from a Pharmacy This plan covers prescription drugs listed on our formulary and diabetic equipment or supplies bought from a pharmacy as a pharmacy benefit. These benefits are administered by our Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Our formulary includes a tiered copayment structure and indicates that certain prescription drugs require preauthorization. If a prescription drug is not on our formulary, it is not covered. For specific coverage information or a copy of the most current formulary, please visit our website or call our Customer Service Department. Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies are covered when dispensed using the following guidelines: • the prescription must be medically necessary, consistent with the physician’s diagnosis, ordered by a physician whose license allows him or her to order it, filled at a pharmacy whose license allows such a prescription to be filled, and filled according to state and federal laws; • the prescription must consist of legend drugs that require a physician’s prescription under law, or compound medications made up of at least one legend drug requiring a physician’s prescription under law; • the prescription must be dispensed at the proper place of service as determined by our Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. For example, certain prescription drugs may only be covered when obtained from a specialty pharmacy; and • the prescription is limited to the quantities authorized by your physician not to exceed the quantity listed in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits. Prescription drugs are subject to the benefit limits and the amount you pay shown in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits.
Clinical 2.1 Provides comprehensive evidence based nursing care to patients including assessment, intervention and evaluation.
Chiropractic Services This plan covers chiropractic visits up to the benefit limit shown in the Summary of Medical Benefits. The benefit limit applies to any visit for the purposes of chiropractic treatment or diagnosis.
