1. Explore Providers: Visit our Provider Directory to discover a clinician who fits your preferences. Our intuitive filter system allows you to refine your search by specialization, language, insurance acceptance, and more.
2. Schedule a Consult Call: Once you've found a potential match, use the embedded calendar to schedule a 15-minute consult call with a PAWC Intake Coordinator. This call will help finalize your appointment and address any questions or concerns you may have.
3. Personalized Matching: If you're unsure which clinician would be the best fit for your needs, don't worry. During the consult call, our team will assist you in selecting a clinician who aligns well with your requirements and preferences.

During your initial meeting with a licensed mental health clinician, you'll discuss your personal history, current symptoms, and treatment objectives. This session serves as an opportunity for mutual understanding and collaboration to devise a tailored treatment plan aligned with your goals. Some patients may require a second intake appointment for further assessment before finalizing the treatment plan. Moreover, if your needs extend beyond our expertise at PAWC, your clinician may suggest a referral to a specialized provider.

This determination will be made collaboratively with your treating clinician, based on their clinical assessment. However, we cannot guarantee that medication will be prescribed at your first appointment.

Similar to the question above, this is a decision that will be made in collaboration with your treating clinician and is up to their clinical judgment.

Our office requires two full business days' notice (48 business hours) to cancel or reschedule your appointment or your credit card will be charged a late cancellation fee. Saturdays, Sundays, and Legal Holidays are not counted as business days (i.e., if you have an appointment on Monday at 11:00 am and you wish to change it without penalty, you would need to call our office on the preceding Thursday morning before 11:00 am to avoid the late cancellation fee). The late cancellation fee is $150 for a session with a psychiatrist or $100 for a session with a psychologist or master's level therapist.

PAWC is in-network with most insurance plans. Visit our Insurance page to learn more.

A local mental health clinic assessment through Kaiser is required before a patient can be referred externally to PAWC. Please contact your local Kaiser Mental Health department to start this process. In order to be referred to our practice, please mention our Practice name, Psychiatric Alternatives and Wellness Center.

PAWC is in-network with the following Medi-Cal plans:

• Alameda Alliance
• Health Plan of San Mateo
• Kaiser Medi-Cal (Northern CA)
• San Francisco Health Plan

PAWC is in-network with the following Medicare Advantage Plans:

• Kaiser Medicare (Northern CA)
• Optum Medicare Advantage
• Blue Shield Medicare Advantage

As PAWC is an insurance-based practice, the cost of the appointment will depend on your health insurance's Outpatient Mental Health Benefits. Please contact your insurance directly to inquire about your specific plan's benefits.

We collect your credit card information prior to your first appointment to ensure we can collect all co-payments, co-insurance, and deductible fees indicated by your specific insurance plan. PAWC takes care of billing after the session so your clinician can focus on providing care, rather than administrative tasks.

• Copay: A copay, short for copayment, is a fixed amount you pay for a covered service, such as a doctor's visit or prescription medication, at the time of service. Your insurance plan sets your copay amount.
• Co-insurance: Co-insurance is the percentage of the cost of a covered service that you are responsible for paying after you've met your deductible. For example, if your insurance plan has a 20% co-insurance rate for doctor visits and the visit costs $100, you would pay $20, and your insurance would cover the remaining $80.
• Deductible: A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for covered services before your insurance plan starts to pay. Once you've met your deductible, your insurance plan will typically cover a portion of your healthcare costs, and you will be responsible for any applicable copays or co-insurance. Deductibles vary depending on your insurance plan and may reset annually.

If you have specific questions about your copays, co-insurance, or deductible, it's best to refer to your insurance plan's benefits or contact your insurance provider directly.

Telehealth sessions are conducted using a HIPAA-compliant synchronous audio-visual platform. Additionally, ensuring a comfortable, quiet, and private environment during your virtual appointments is equally important for maintaining confidentiality and enhancing your overall experience.

PAWC’s HIPAA-compliant, encrypted software keeps your personal data secure.