Frequently Asked Questions

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "a child and adolescent psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and the treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents, and their families. A child and adolescent psychiatrist offers families the advantages of a medical education, the medical traditions of professional ethics, and medical responsibility for providing comprehensive care."  Child and adolescent psychiatrists in the US have completed an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, three to four years of general psychiatry residency training, and two years of child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training.  Dr. Grayson has completed an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, completed internal medicine internship, 2 years of neurology residency training, completed general psychiatry residency training and completed child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training. 

We are an out of network provider for all insurance plans.  We do not accept payment directly from any insurance company.  Patients/parents are responsible for all fees associated with treatment at time of appointment. We will provide you with the paperwork necessary for you to submit a claim to your insurance for reimbursement and take advantage of any out of network benefits.

There may also be additional services recommended that may not be reimbursable by insurance, like school-based evaluations or reports. These will be discussed as the situation arises. 

We have partnered with Reimbursify for you to easily submit your claims for out-of-network health insurance reimbursement from your smartphone.  Download the app and get your first claim free. 

AS OF JAN 1 2023

New patient appointment (up to 180 min)- $950

Brief follow up (up to 25 min)- $265

Extended follow up (up to 50 min)- $365

One time consultation/second opinion (180 min)- $1,300.00

Legal fees: Please ask for legal fee schedule 

Note there are no additional fees for services provided outside appointment times including phone calls, pharmacy call-ins, letters, reports, consultation with other professionals by phone (with your express written permission), preparation of records or treatment summaries. Dr. Grayson may ask that you make follow up appointments for paperwork and documentation that is more than a letter or one-page form. This is necessary because it allows you to see what is filled out and is a springboard for discussion that can contribute to your treatment. 

Most insurance companies have out-of-network mental health benefits. These benefits reimburse you for the cost of your visit at a certain percentage of the usual and customary rates (UCR). When calling your insurance company for benefit and coverage questions, it is imperative that you tell them it is for psychiatric services, as most insurance companies handle these claims differently. Some even go through an additional, separate insurance carrier altogether. Usually those companies list the mental health benefit number on the back of your insurance card separately. I always recommend actually speaking with a customer service representative with your carrier to get the most current and accurate information available. 

Note there is no guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you, since insurance policies vary so widely with respect to how psychiatric services are covered. 

In a typical initial evaluation, Dr. Grayson will meet with the youth and parents/guardians together, and then each separately, to define the youth's strengths, difficulties, and goals.  Occasionally initial evaluation is split over 2 visits. 

Components of a complete psychiatric evaluation include: a descriptions of current concerns, other behavioral or psychiatric symptoms, functioning at home and school, developmental history, educational history, family background, history of previous psychiatric treatment and testing, medical history and review of previous records.  With permission she will also contact youths therapists, school and other providers for collateral information. 

She will then discuss diagnostic possibilities and treatment options.  Sometimes Dr. Grayson will also recommend further outside testing such as psychoeducational testing or laboratory studies.

Please bring completed forms, copies of any past testing/evaluations, and school documentation including the last report card and a copy of your child's IEP or 504 plan.

Please do your best to explain to your child the reason for their visit at a level you think your child will understand. 

Consider telling them that you are going to see a thinking and feeling doctor who helps children with their feelings, behaviors, learning, family, friend, or school situations. 

For young children, please explain that there will be no shots at my office. 

If you share legal custody and your divorce decree requires that you inform the other parent of health appointments, please note that mental health services falls under this, and you may be in violation of a court order if you fail to inform the other parent.

To provide consent for treatment for your child you must either have sole legal custody OR have shared legal custody. If you have no legal custody you cannot provide consent for treatment. By scheduling an appointment with Dr.Grayson for a child, you are stating that you have the legal right to consent for the child. 

Privacy in mental health treatment is very important, particularly with adolescents. Before giving parents any information, Dr. Grayson will discuss the matter with the youth if possible, and do her best to handle any objections they may have, unless she feels that the youth is in danger or is a danger to someone else, in which case, she will notify the parents (or other authorities) of her concern immediately regardless of any objections by the minor. 

If you are unable to make an appointment, please let Dr. Grayson know as soon as possible by calling the office and leaving a voicemail message or canceling online. Because your appointment time is reserved for you, you will be charged the full fee for the scheduled service(s) unless you cancel 24 hours in advance (not including weekends or holidays). Exceptions to the missed appointment fee will be made for weather emergencies. If you are late for your appointment, you will be seen for the remaining appointment time and will be charged the full appointment fee.

A Late Cancellation Fee will be charged if the Patient (or Patient’s Representative):

·   Cancels the appointment less than 24 hours prior to appointment time; or

·   Fails to show up for a scheduled appointment; or

·   Arrives for their scheduled appointment with 15 minutes or less remaining in their scheduled time slot.

If you experience an emergency situation at any time, please call 911 immediately or go to the closest emergency room. For urgent matters that require attention from Dr. Grayson, please call her at (980) 202-2490 and leave a detailed message. She will return your call as soon as possible – usually within 24 hours