Q What kind of insurance does your practice accept?

A Currently, we accept the following insurance:

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• Neighborhood Health Plans
• United Health
• Medicare
• Tufts
• Tricare/Champus (as Secondary Insurance ONLY)

PLEASE NOTE: This list is subject to change and is not a guarantee of coverage. Please call your insurance provider for coverage information. Patients are responsible for all co-payments

Please call our office to determine if our Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Clinical Nurses and Licensed Social Workers accept your insurance coverage.

Q Do ALL of your Providers work in the same office?

A No, some of our providers travel in between offices. Some work in certain offices only. Please call our offices to see which Providers are in any given location on a particular day.

Q I'm on Medicare, I shouldn't have a co-payment!

A Medicare recipients DO have co-payments and are responsible for them. If you are not certain of what your co-payment is, please call 1-800-Medicare for more information.

Q I have started a new medication for depression. How long will it take to work and are there any side effects?

A Medicines for depression are called "antidepressants". Your regular doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe them for you. Antidepressants are not "uppers" or stimulants. They may take away or reduce your symptoms of depression and help you feel the way you did before you became depressed. You may notice an improvement in the way you feel in the first couple of weeks; but you may need to take the medication for at least 6 weeks before you feel the full effect. And for some people, it may take as many as 8 weeks before they feel better.

In some cases, the doctor may need to prescribe a different or more than one medication for you. Antidepressants can sometimes cause unwanted side effects in some people. These are usually mild, often temporary and typically, not serious. However, if you have any side effects that are unusual, annoying or that interfere with your activities you should tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor will tell you what side effects to look for.

Q How can I tell if my loved one is considering suicide?

A If you have a friend or loved one talking about committing suicide, you must take them seriously. Try to get immediate help, preferably from a physician or mental health professional. Suicide often can be prevented. While some suicides happen without any apparent warning, most do not. The best way to prevent sucide among loved ones is to learn how to recognize signs of a person at risk.

They may say things like: "everyone would be better off without me" or "I won't be around much longer, anyway". Sometimes, people contemplating suicide will put their affairs in order, such as giving away valued possessions, paying off debts or changing a will. Or they may increase their use of alcohol and drugs, put themselves purposely in harm's way, and lose interest in things they once cared about. Sometimes a person will seem suddenly happier or calmer because they've made the decision to attempt suicide.

If you are concerned your loved one is at risk for committing suicide, act quickly--it's better to be safe than sorry. Contact a mental health provider or go directly to the Emergency Room at your local hospital. If the person is not cooperating call 911.

Q What can I do to help my teenager who is depressed?

A Depression is one of the mental, or emotional disorders that can occur during the teenage years. Depression may affect a younger person's thoughts, feelings, behaviour and body. Major depression in teenagers is a serious problem; it is more than just "the blues". It can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse and even suicide.

Make an appointment with your pediatrician or family doctor if you think your teen is depressed. Your doctor or mental health provider will determine if your teenager is depressed, and often can help successfully treat them. If you think your teenager is at risk for suicide, act immediately by taking them to the local hospital or calling 911 if necessary.