General Policies
Appointment & Cancellation Policy
To provide timely access to care for all patients, we request advance notice for appointment changes.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a late cancellation fee.
Missed appointments without notice may be subject to a no-show fee.
Late cancelation/no-show fee: $100
Late Arrivals
Patients arriving late may have their appointment shortened or may need to reschedule, depending on provider availability.
Payment
Payment is due at the time services are rendered unless otherwise arranged.
Insurance patients are responsible for any applicable copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or non-covered services.
Medication Refills
Medication refill requests should be submitted at least three business days before medication is needed.
Controlled substance prescriptions may require scheduled follow-up appointments and cannot be guaranteed outside of regular office visits.
Telehealth Policy
Bright Path Psychiatry offers secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth services for patients located within New York State.
By participating in telehealth services, patients acknowledge and understand that:
- Telehealth involves the use of secure electronic communications.
- Technical difficulties may occasionally interrupt sessions.
- Patients must be physically located within New York State at the time of the appointment.
- A private location should be used whenever possible.
- Parents or legal guardians may be required to participate in portions of appointments involving minors.
Telehealth may not be appropriate for every clinical situation and alternative recommendations may be made when necessary.
Patients are responsible for ensuring access to a reliable internet connection and a device capable of supporting video visits.
Emergency & Crisis Policy
Bright Path Psychiatry is an outpatient psychiatric practice and does not provide emergency or crisis services.
If you or your child are experiencing:
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Thoughts of harming others
- Severe psychiatric symptoms
- A medical emergency
- Concerns about immediate safety
Call 911, contact 988, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Electronic messages, website contact forms, voicemails, and patient portal communications are not monitored continuously and should never be used for urgent or emergency situations.
For routine questions, medication concerns, or appointment requests, please contact the office during normal business hours.
Our goal is to provide timely outpatient psychiatric care while ensuring that patients receive appropriate emergency services when urgent needs arise.
Parent/Guardian Participation Policy
Because Bright Path Psychiatry specializes in the care of children, adolescents, and young adults, collaboration with parents and legal guardians is an important part of treatment.
Parents or legal guardians are expected to participate in the initial psychiatric evaluation and may be asked to participate in portions of follow-up appointments as clinically appropriate.
While parental involvement is encouraged, age-appropriate confidentiality is also respected. As children mature, private time with the provider may be incorporated into appointments to support open communication and the development of independence. However, concerns involving safety, risk of harm, abuse, or other significant clinical issues may be shared with parents or guardians as required by law and professional standards.
Treatment is most effective when families, providers, therapists, and other members of the child’s support system work collaboratively toward shared goals.
Minors and Initial Evaluations
A parent or legal guardian must be present for all initial psychiatric evaluations involving patients under 18 years of age.
The parent or legal guardian must have legal authority to consent to treatment and may be required to provide documentation of guardianship or custody arrangements when applicable.
Initial evaluations typically include discussion with both the parent/guardian and the child or adolescent to obtain a comprehensive understanding of presenting concerns, developmental history, medical history, academic functioning, and treatment goals.
For follow-up appointments, parental participation requirements may vary based on the patient’s age, clinical needs, and treatment plan. Parents and guardians are encouraged to remain actively involved throughout the course of care.
Custody and Consent
In cases involving divorced, separated, or non-traditional custody arrangements, the parent or guardian seeking treatment is responsible for ensuring that all required legal consents have been obtained before services begin.
Bright Path Psychiatry reserves the right to request copies of custody agreements, court orders, or other legal documentation when necessary to verify consent for treatment.
Good Faith Estimate Notice
Under the No Surprises Act, patients who are uninsured or who choose not to use their insurance have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining the anticipated cost of healthcare services.
The Good Faith Estimate provides an estimate of expected charges for services provided by Bright Path Psychiatry.
Patients may request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling services or at any time during treatment.
For additional information regarding your rights under the No Surprises Act, please contact our office or visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.