Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about getting started, insurance, appointments, treatments, and our Rockville and Frederick offices — before you book anything.
Getting started
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?
No. You can book directly, whether this is your first psychiatrist visit or you are switching providers. A few HMO plans ask members to get a PCP referral first — we check that when we verify your benefits and tell you if yours requires one.
Do I need a diagnosis before I book?
No. Working out what is going on is what the evaluation is for. If you are not sure what you are dealing with, start with a phone consult — we will help figure out fit from there.
What mental health conditions do you treat?
We treat depression (including treatment-resistant depression), anxiety disorders, OCD, ADHD, and bipolar II / bipolar depression in adults. We refer out bipolar I, psychosis, substance use disorders, and personality disorders.
Do you see children or teenagers?
No. We are an adult psychiatry practice. We treat adults 18 and older only.
How do I become a new patient?
Request a short phone consult online or by calling (240) 599-1001. We confirm what you need, check that we treat it, run your insurance for your copay, and book your in-person evaluation in Rockville or Frederick. Intake forms arrive by secure email after you schedule.
What if I already have a therapist?
That works well. We handle the psychiatric side and you keep the therapist you already trust. Medication management here is not a substitute for therapy.
Insurance and cost
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We accept Medicare, Maryland Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, Johns Hopkins EHP, and other major plans. We verify your benefits on the first phone call before anything is scheduled.
Do you accept Medicare and Maryland Medicaid?
Yes, both, at the Rockville and Frederick offices. Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychiatric care, and Medicare also covers TMS for depression when medical necessity criteria are met.
Will I know my copay before my appointment?
Yes. We run your benefits on the first phone call, before anything is scheduled, so nothing about the bill is a guess later.
Is my copay different for telehealth?
Often it is the same as an office visit. Some plans treat video visits differently. We check your specific plan and tell you before the appointment.
Will my insurance cover TMS or Spravato?
Most major plans and Medicare cover Deep TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression when plan criteria are met, usually with prior authorization. Our staff files the authorization after your evaluation. Intramuscular ketamine is cash-based at $349 per session; the initial consultation is still billed to insurance.
What if my plan is not on your accepted list?
Call (240) 599-1001. Carriers run many products under one brand name, so your plan may still work even if the exact name is not listed. If we are out of network, self-pay rates are available and we can provide a superbill for reimbursement.
Appointments and telehealth
How soon can I get an appointment?
Most new patients are seen within 3–5 business days at either Rockville or Frederick. Call (240) 599-1001 or book online and tell us which office you prefer.
How long is a first psychiatry appointment?
About an hour. Follow-up visits are shorter. You will not always leave with a prescription — lab work or a records request is a normal first-visit outcome.
Can my first appointment be over video?
No. The initial evaluation is in person. Telehealth opens up for follow-ups once you are an established patient, from anywhere in Maryland.
Do I have to be in Maryland for a telehealth visit?
Yes. You must be physically located in Maryland at the time of the appointment. Our providers are licensed to practice in Maryland, and out-of-state visits are not allowed.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Plenty of patients bring a partner, parent, or friend to the first visit.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Photo ID, your insurance card, a current medication list with doses, a payment method for any copay, and your completed intake forms if you did not submit them online. Prior psychiatric records, a list of medications you have tried, and recent labs are helpful but not required.
Can I do TMS or Spravato by telehealth?
No. Deep TMS, Spravato, and IM ketamine require in-clinic visits. Telehealth is for psychiatric follow-up and medication management after you are established.
Treatments
What treatments do you offer?
Medication management, BrainsWay Deep TMS (Rockville), Spravato / esketamine (both offices), intramuscular ketamine (Rockville), and telehealth follow-up for established patients anywhere in Maryland.
What if I have already tried several antidepressants?
That is one of the most common reasons people come here. We review the full trial history, check whether the diagnosis is right, and talk about whether Deep TMS, Spravato, another medication path, or IM ketamine makes more sense next.
Do you prescribe stimulants for adult ADHD?
Yes, when clinically appropriate after a proper evaluation. That includes adults who were never assessed as children. Controlled substances follow Maryland and federal rules.
Will you take over my current prescriptions?
After the evaluation, yes, if we agree to continue care. We do not refill medications without establishing you as a patient and reviewing the full history.
Will I get a prescription at the first appointment?
Sometimes. Some evaluations end with lab work or a records request first, which is a normal outcome rather than a delay.
Locations and portal
Which office should I choose?
Pick whichever is easier to reach. New patient evaluations are available at both Rockville and Frederick. If you may need Deep TMS, start in Rockville — that is the only office with BrainsWay on site. Spravato is available at both.
Can I switch between offices?
Yes. Your chart is shared across both locations, and both bill the same insurance plans. Tell us which office is easier when you book.
Where are your offices?
Rockville: 6000 Executive Blvd, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20852. Frederick: 7360 Guilford Dr, Suite 100, Frederick, MD 21704. Both are open Monday to Friday.
How do I get access to the patient portal?
During intake we send a welcome email with your AdvancedMD portal invitation. Use that link to set your email and password. If you never received it, call (240) 599-1001 and we will resend it. The portal is not for emergencies — call 911 or 988 for a crisis.
Still have a question?
A short phone consult covers what we treat, what your insurance covers, and when you can be seen — before you book anything.