Amy Alson, MD
Charlottesville, Virginia
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How should I prepare for my first appointment? Please complete my registration forms at least 2 days before your appointment. See the forms and policies page for a link to electronic forms that can be completed online, or printable forms that can be faxed.
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What is a psychiatrist, and what is an internist? A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. An internist is a physician who provides general medical care to adults; many internists specialize in areas of medicine focused on a particular part of the adult body, or a kind of disease. My training and experience in general medicine informs my work as a psychiatrist, including my understanding and treatment of people affected by eating disorders.
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Do you treat people who don't have an eating disorder? Yes. Many of my patients do not have an eating disorder. I treat mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, PTSD, insomnia, OCD, ADD, and other psychiatric conditions that are appropriately managed in an out-patient psychiatry office.
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Do you treat children? I am not a child psychiatrist. I treat people 18 years of age and older.
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Do you accept insurance company payments? No. I don't participate on insurance company panels, or with Medicare. This frees your treatment of restrictions and significantly reduces paperwork.
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Will you bill me? Payment is required at each visit by check, cash, or credit card. I do not employ a billing service or clerical support staff.
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How do I use out-of-network benefits? Insurance companies may cover part of the cost of your psychiatric care, once you have met a deductible. You may cover unreimbursed medical expenses with pre-tax dollars by using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), or Health Reimbursement Account, (HRA). Out-of-network treatment can cost you less than in-network care, so it's worth doing the math.
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What if I don't have out-of-network benefits? You may be able to use HSA, FSA or HRA funds to cover healthcare costs. IRS Publication 969 offers a good explanation of these accounts.
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What if I am insured by Medicare? Medicare will not reimburse you for my services, and you will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to pay for my services. Medications and tests I order may be reimbursed by Medicare, according to your policy.
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Do I need a referral? I don't require a referral. Your insurance policy may require a PCP's referral to a psychiatrist before they will cover the cost of psychiatric care.