What is Online Psychiatry?
Online Psychiatry or Telepsychiatry / Telemedicine is the practice of medicine, or treatment delivered via communication using an audio-visual, real-time, two-way interactive communication system.
For example, Doxy is HIPAA-compliant software which allows for audio-video communication. Dr. Storch’s patients visit doxy.me/aestorchmd a few minutes prior to the appointment time from the browser of any device (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop) with a forward facing camera. There is no download or registration needed to enter the virtual waiting room–you only have to enter your name. As a backup, platforms such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom, may be used but some/all of these may not be certified as secure enough for health care applications. (If you choose one of these you are waiving your right to conducting a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine appointment).
Are you able to send prescriptions to my local pharmacy?
Yes. Prescriptions can be sent electronically to almost any pharmacy.
What are Controlled Substances?
Generally speaking, Controlled Substances are medications that have a high risk of abuse or misuse. Common examples of controlled substances include: Adderall (amphetamine), Ritalin (methylphenidate), and benzodiazepines (Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax).
Do you prescribe Controlled Substances?
Yes. Although controlled substances unfortunately have a bad reputation and can be dangerous, abused, and misused, there are also many people who benefit from these medications and need these medications to function at their best. Treatment for ADHD is one example of how appropriate use of a controlled substance for legitimate medical purposes can (often dramatically) improve a person’s functioning.
How is the coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic changing the world of psychiatry?
Due to a public health emergency, doctors are able to deliver care based on evaluation via telemedicine. For the time being, as of March 16, 2020, this includes permission to prescribe controlled substances for patients that have NOT had an in-person medical evaluation. The allowance has been made for the use of telemedicine in all areas of the United States. For details click here.
What is your Privacy Policy?
As required by the privacy regulations created as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), this notice describes how health information about you as a patient of this practice may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to your protected health information.
A. Our practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your protected health information (PHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. We also are required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your PHI. By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices that we have in effect at the time. The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices.
B. Intake forms including demographic date, insurance information, consents for treatment and medical disclosure will be completed by every patient as part of his/her record. Our office may use and disclose this PHI in order to bill and collect payment for the services you receive from us.
C. Employees and staff are required to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding any information they are exposed to in the office setting which is not to be discussed or revealed to any persons or businesses outside of the office setting without the prior written consent by the patient or legal guardian.
D. Any paper trash with patient information will be shredded prior to discarding it.
E. Medical release forms are required to be signed by the patient or legal guardian in order to release any medical information to themselves, medical offices, insurance companies, or to any other desired location. There may be a reasonable cost-based fee for photocopying, postage and preparation.
F. Our office may contact you for appointment reminders and announcements about our office and staff.
Effective date: July 1, 2015
Psychiatrists practice in different ways. How do you practice psychiatry?
You will be listened to in a unique way and questions will be asked along the way to help you describe, and help us understand how to address your concerns and symptoms efficiently and effectively. Direction and feedback given as needed. We offer pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions together or separately. Inquire for details.
What are your specialty areas?
- Comprehensive medical & psychiatric evaluation: in-depth elicitation and analysis of your current symptoms, symptom onset and course, precipitants and stressors, your current functional status, if their is any active risk to self or others, noted absence of symptoms. Past psychiatric history, including first dysfunction or disorder, succeeding pattern of treatment, any recent treatment, risk assessment. Substance Use History. Medical History. Any active medical problems, whether or not you have a primary care doctor or treating specialists, any surgical history. Pertinent blood tests will be ordered. Developmental, Psychosocial, Sociocultural history, including the most important events of your life, education, relationships and children, work/income, history of trauma, abuse, neglect, legal history. Family History will be reviewed. As routine for any psychiatric evaluation, assessment of your current mental status. Impression and formulation will include my opinion and diagnostic findings. Finally, your treatment plan, which may include recommendations and prescription for medication, lab follow-up, psychotherapy, and recommended interval for next visit.
- Diagnosis and treatment of Major Depression: treatment recommendations may consist not only of medication interventions, but also combining natural remedies such as sleep optimization, aerobic exercise, vitamins and supplements, and overall stress reduction.
- Diagnosis and treatment of Adult ADHD: we have successfully treated hundreds of individuals with ADHD. Member of the American Professional Society of ADHD & Related Disorders.
- Psychotherapy: in select cases we offer patient-centered, problem-focused, time-limited psychotherapy (for patients that do not already have a psychotherapist).
- Diagnosis and treatment of Addictions: outpatient treatments we offer include buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) for opiate and/or alcohol issues.
How often would I need to be seen?
The frequency of visits is flexible within a framework of clinical need. The goal for any patient is to achieve either “maintenance” treatment which may result in appointments just several times a year, or to discontinue treatment once mutually agreed-upon objectives are reached. In general, if treatment is initiated at a first appointment, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled 2-4 weeks later. From that point, the patient’s response to treatment drives the determination of frequency of future appointments.
Are your services reimbursable?
Yes. At your request we can prepare and submit a claim for “out-of-network” reimbursement after payment is made for the appointment. Reimbursements usually occur after an annual deductible has been met and a reimbursement “formula” is applied according to one’s specific health plan. In order to obtain specifics, a prospective patient can call his/her insurance company to ask about “out-of-network” coverage. For more about how to acquire this information, please submit some basic insurance information through the secure contact page on this website.
What are the office hours?
Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We may have earlier and later hours available for certain situations.