FAQ / Resources

My intake price is $500 and $150 for a follow-up appointment.

I value the education, training, and years of expertise a successful psychiatric practice requires – and so do my patients.

I do not accept insurance. I only accept direct payments, and for two reasons:

Time Is of the Essence

I have worked with insurance companies in both inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. As far as I am concerned, working with insurance for reimbursements is not only exhausting for everyone involved, it is a disservice to you, the patient. If you need a new-age medication, avoiding the red tape of insurance allows me to prescribe what you need and sooner.

Confidentiality

My primary job is to help you get better. If you need the security of knowing your mental health is being held in the highest confidence, HIPAA coupled with cash only ensures your information stays between us – as no insurance documentation or claims are
involved.

I do not accept Medicare. I only accept direct payments.

Yes, your visit with me will be secure and confidential. The telehealth platform I use (Doxy.me) is both HIPAA-compliant and multi-encrypted, which offers protection from hackers.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the federal law that has protected patients’ medical records and identifiable health information since 1996.

HIPAA gives patients the right to privately discuss their health with their provider; the right to obtain a copy of their health records; and the right to authorize who may access their medical history, treatment plans, medication, and more.

As such, HIPAA requires that medical professionals safeguard their patients’ private information, a responsibility Dr. Pendleton takes seriously.*

*The limits of confidentiality end if a patient may harm themselves or others, or if there is reason to suspect child or elder abuse.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law requiring emergency treatment and stabilization for a patient in need regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status.