Remember, just because a clinician specializes in ADD does not necessarily make that clinician the best one for you. A clinician with whom you have a "good fit" is one who listens to your concerns, answers your questions to the best of his ability, has respect for your rights as a patient, gives you his recommendations, and tells you his concerns. First, however, you need to find a clinician who specializes in ADD.
If you know a friend or family member with ADD, you can ask whom he or she sees for treatment. Even if that clinician doesn't live in your city, you can contact him to ask whom he recommends in your area. You can also ask your PCP for a referral, or you may even find out that your PCP has additional training in ADD.
For more information on referrals or recommendations, visit ADD support groups, such as Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). There may be a CHADD or ADDA support group in your area where you can get information about referrals and possibly even meet clinicians who specialize in ADD. You may also find information on referrals or recommendations in online forums such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Forums.
Choosing An ADD Specialist
If you are filing a medical insurance claim and want to choose a clinician from your insurance company's network of providers, be aware that an ADD specialist in your area may not be within your insurer's network. You may want to consider paying extra in order to see an out-of-network provider. Finding Adhd Specialist
Do Your Research
Before you call to make an appointment with a clinician to whom you have received a referral, do a little sleuthing on the Internet. Many states have clinicians' licenses in a searchable online database. The database will list if a clinician's license is up to date and if she has received any disciplinary action from the licensing board. You can also look up the clinician on an Internet search engine. You may find articles the clinician has written, awards she has received, and websites that list her as a clinician. You can even use the search term 'ADD" along with the clinician's name to see what, specifically, she has done in the field.
The Advantages of a Group Practice
Some clinicians' offices, called group practices, have psychiatrists, psychologists, ARNPs, LPCs, and LCSWs working in the same office. There are even clinics where all the clinicians in the office specialize in ADD. One of the advantages to a group practice is that if you see more than one clinician at the office, your records are centrally located at the office.
In addition, if you sign a medical release allowing your clinicians to speak to one another, it is much more efficient if your clinicians work in the same office. In addition, clinicians in the same office usually have an established working relationship and can communicate more effectively about your care than can clinicians who don't know each other. If you do see two clinicians at the same office, keep in mind that most medical insurance companies will not reimburse you for seeing a prescriber and a counselor on the same day.
Calling To Make An Appointment With A Clinician
Once you have received a recommendation or referral and have done your research, it is time to call the clinician's office for an appointment. When you call the office, tell them you are seeking a new-patient appointment. You can also tell them that you suspect you have ADD. It is up to you if you want to disclose any additional information. However. the more information you give, the more the staff can help you.
The office staff may want to send you paperwork or may ask for your insurance information over the phone. An exception to the rule of calling a clinician's office to make an appointment is if your medical insurance policy requires that you get a referral and an appointment through your primary care physician. See your insurance policy for more information.
When you call a clinician's office to make an appointment, you may find that the first available appointment is two, three, or even six months away. To get an earlier appointment, ask the staff if they have a cancellation waitlist. This means that if a patient cancels, you can be called to take the appointment time. This means that you might have to come in on short notice, but if you can do so, it can make the difference between waiting for an appointment a couple of months from now and being seen in a couple of weeks.
The office staff may tell you that although the clinician is no longer taking new patients, another clinician in the office (such as a psychiatrist, an ARNP, or a psychologist) can see you. Finding Adhd Specialist
You may want to ask the following about the clinician:
- What training does the clinician have in ADD?
- How long has she been in practice?
- How long has she been treating ADD?
- What is the clinician's view on medications?
- Does she prescribe medications for ADD?
When you attend an appointment with a doctor, you have certain patient rights. Your rights include:
- Viewing your chart and having a copy of your records
- Having your medical information kept confidential, with some legal exceptions
- Being treated with respect
- Being informed of your treatment options
- Making decisions about your own care
- Seeking another medical opinion
- Being informed of the fees associated with the visit
- Asking questions about available treatments, including their cost and effectiveness
- Discussing with your doctor any concerns or complaints
- Filing a grievance if you feel your concern or complaint was not handled adequately
- Terminating your care at any time, except if you are involuntarily hospitalized
When you have good communication with your doctor, you are more likely to follow through with your treatment. Here are some signs that you have a good relationship with your doctor:
- You feel comfortable asking questions.
- You feel you can be honest and open with your doctor.
- You feel comfortable and you trust the office staff.
- You feel your doctor listens to you and takes time to hear your concerns.
- You feel comfortable bringing up new or alternative treatments with your doctor.
- You feel okay calling your doctor's office with an urgent care question.
- Phone calls and messages are returned within a reasonable amount of time.
Because people with ADD have difficulty remembering appointments, ask if the clinician's office can call to remind you the day before your appointment. In addition, print out a map of the route from your home to the clinician's office to ensure that you get there on time. Some clinician's offices will reschedule your appointment if you are fifteen minutes late, because having one patient show up late to an appointment can delay every patient's appointment for the rest of the day.
To find out more, you can check out Finding Adhd Specialist.
