Question 1

Do you see patients outside of Colorado?

Accepted Answer

I am currently only actively licensed in Colorado.  You must be in Colorado to be seen by my practice.

Question 2

What if I have an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Psychiatric emergencies are:
~ Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming others
~ An unexpected medication reaction with serious symptoms
~ Any unusual behavior that you fear may lead to physical harm.

In the case of any medical or psychiatric emergency, 
* Call 911
* Go to the nearest emergency room

For mental health crises, you can also access Crisis Services in Colorado 24/7 by:
- Call/text: 988
- Call: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
- Text: TALK to 38255
- Online Chat: 988Colorado.com
- Walk-in crisis centers are available statewide.  You can access locations at: ColoradoCrisisServices.org

Question 3

How do you handle prescriptions?

Accepted Answer

All prescriptions will be sent electronically to the pharmacy you request at the time of our appointment.

Some prescriptions such as controlled medications (i.e. benzodiazepines or stimulants) may require in person exams or additional lab-work for ethical and safety reasons.  Controlled medication prescriptions are given in limited quantities with specific refill dates.  These are not refilled early and if they are taken above the recommended dosing and run out early, there is a possibility that to go into withdrawal.

As this practice is solely via telehealth with limited in-person assessment capability, I do not currently prescribe long-term controlled medications.

Question 4

Are all your appointments virtual?

Accepted Answer

All appointments are virtual by default with some limited house calls or discreet public meetings near Ft. Collins for an additional travel fee.  This means you can access thorough and personal psychiatric care from anywhere in Colorado without commuting or waiting rooms, all from the privacy and comfort of your own space.

Question 5

How is communication handled between appointments?

Accepted Answer

Scheduling is all done via the "BOOK NOW" button on the website, which contains my available calendar for appointments.  If you need a different time than what is available, please reach out via the contact form and we can coordinate from there.

Clinical questions are best handled during appointment times, but for non-immediate, non-clinical questions, they can be emailed to me (dr.woodbury@northstarpsychiatry.us) or you can leave a voice message at my practice line (970-239-3010). I return voicemail calls usually within one day as I do not take calls while I am with other patients.

I do not monitor my email or voicemail at night or on weekends.  All emergencies should be directed to 911 or the nearest emergency room.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am not contracted under Medicare or any insurance - and that's intentional.  Insurance contracts are often too limiting to provide the quality and in-depth care needed to optimize your health and recovery.

By remaining outside of managed care, it's possible to schedule longer or more frequent visits in order to explore symptoms and related systems in detail.  It affords you additional time to be understood fully and ask any additional questions you may have.

Many of my patients appreciate the additional privacy, flexibility, and elevated level of support they get with my care.  Remaining outside the insurance model means your care is collaboratively decided by you and me instead of dictated by a third party.

Question 7

What's the benefit to seeing you instead of someone who takes my insurance?

Accepted Answer

My care is designed for the person who:
Desires a more thorough understanding of their symptoms and treatments
Wants time during their appointments to ask questions and get them answered
Wants to take an active role in their recovery 
Desires real lifestyle support instead of "do X" with no real guidance offered
Wants more than a 15 minute appointment to get a Rx with little explanation

If you have ever been frustrated by feeling like your questions go unanswered, you feel stuck with your current care, or you feel like previous providers just "threw pills" at you, you're in the right place.

Question 8

Why do you charge for missed appointments?

Accepted Answer

I book limited appointments that are reserved in advance for you.  I do not overbook and missed appointments means a loss to the practice and other patients who might have utilized that time.  Missed appointments will be charged to the card on file.

I request 24 business hour advance notice of cancellation for all appointments to allow me to offer that time to someone else.  If you need to cancel under that 24 hour mark and I am still able to fill that appointment time, you will not be charged.

Question 9

Are virtual communications confidential?

Accepted Answer

All virtual appointments are done over a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.  All information discussed during appointments is considered confidential except in circumstances where I am duty and legally bound to disclose information.  Those situations include serious and imminent threat of harm to one's self or others, suspected child or elder abuse, grave disability, or under a court or legal mandate.

In the case that someone else is paying for your care, they will not have access to your records without your explicit written consent.

Question 10

What is a superbill?

Accepted Answer

A "suberbill" is an itemized document that lists some details about your care.  These include things like session dates, diagnostic codes and fees.  If desired, I can generated one for you at the time of our appointments. You can submit these superbills to your insurance to request out-of-network reimbursement for things such as evaluations, therapy, or medication management.

Please check with your health insurance to see what may be covered as every plan is different.

Question 11

What if I have other questions?

Accepted Answer

You can always fill out a contact form question with non-emergent questions which is submitted to me via the website (link below).  Other options include directly emailing me at dr.woodbury@northstarpsychiatry.us or calling my practice line at (970) 239-3010.  I return voicemails usually within one business day as I do not answer the line while I am with other patients.

Clinical questions are best handled via appointments but for non-emergent, non-clinical questions, I'm happy to set up a 15 minute consultation call to answer other questions and see if my practice is a good fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions