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Our Model

Dr. Patel and Dr. Sweet joined forces and started Specialty Clinic of Austin to provide psychiatric services covered by insurance to adults and adolescents with the hopes of improving access to behavioral health care. The technologically-based model here at SCOA includes physician assistants (PAs) that treat patients with psychiatric needs. Our PAs are highly trained and practice the same way that our doctors do. Patient treatment is based on a wellness model in which our clinicians do not just prescribe medication, but also encourage proper nutrition, sufficient exercise, and socialization.

Insurance

Specialty Clinic of Austin accepts most major insurance plans like BCBS – PPO & TX HMO, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Smart Health, Oscar, ComPsych, Humana, and Cigna.You can also check the list here 

If your insurance is not listed above, please contact us at 512-382-1933 for more information.

Payment

Payment must be made in full at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and most major credit cards. If you are using insurance, you may receive a bill as many plans require deductible payments, which cannot be accurately determined at the time of service.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

At Specialty Clinic of Austin, we understand that sometimes unexpected events happen that may prevent you from keeping your scheduled appointment. However, in order to provide the best possible care for all of our patients, we have implemented the following Cancellation and No-Show Policy:


Cancellation Policy: We kindly request that you provide us with at least 24 hours notice before your scheduled appointment time if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This will allow us to offer the appointment time to another patient who may be in need of medical care. If you fail to provide us with at least 24 hours notice, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged to your card on file, if there is no card on file the balance will be applied to your account until settled.


No-Show Policy: If you miss your scheduled appointment without prior notice or explanation, it is considered a “no-show”. A $50 no-show fee will be charged to your card on file, if there is no card on file the balance will be applied to your account until settled.


We understand that unexpected events can happen, and we will take into account extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. However, we ask that you please do your best to give us as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment so that we can provide timely care to all of our patients.


Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us provide the best possible care for our patients. If you have any questions about our Cancellation and No-Show Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Other Common Questions

How do I use my insurance?

It is recommended that you call your insurance plan and check your benefits for behavioral health prior to seeking treatment. The phone number to customer service is on the back of your insurance card. Many insurance plans contract behavioral health through different carriers (ex: Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO plans are often managed by Magellan). We can assist you in determining your benefits, just complete the contact form below.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

The following items are required for your first appointment:

  • Your completed New Patient Paperwork. It is crucial that you complete this paperwork prior to your first appointment. The form can be filled out and submitted online (Klara), or can be filled out by hand and emailed/faxed. You will NOT be seen until you have completed your New Patient Paperwork.
  • Your insurance card.
  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • Cash, check, or credit card to pay for any copays or deductibles.
  • A copy of your previous mental health records. This includes any neuropsychological evaluations and evaluations for academic accommodations.

How do I obtain my medical record?

All requests for medical records must be made in writing. Requests for medical records not from the individual client must include a fully completed consent for release of information. 

Is my information confidential?

Your rights to protect your health information is important to us. We follow HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines to take extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of your personal information. Everyone in our practice, staff included, have completed training on confidentiality, and many of our electronic records and communications are encrypted.