North Carolina:
Currently we offer face- to -face visits for buprenorphine treatment in Charlotte, NC for opioid addiction. We are located in a comfortable medical- office environment where patients can safely discuss the most intimate parts of their lives and start down the path to recovery to reclaim the dignity and humanity that is often lost when one is in the throws of active addiction. Opioid pain killers and heroin use has reached an unprecedented high in the United States, with more than 2.5 million people addicted, and a staggering death toll claiming more and more lives each day. The stigma, shame, fear and self-loathing that many people feel often prevents them from reaching out for help. As trained addiction and psychiatry specialists, we understand the mutualistic relationship between mental health and substance abuse. We are here to listen and to help you take the first step towards recovery, in a judgment- free environment. Our online scheduling system allows you to book appointments and complete intake forms at your convenience and in the privacy of your own home. To schedule an appointment please click on the "SCHEDULE" tab from the menu above. Please read the information below to acquaint yourself with our policies and procedures. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.
Initial and Follow-up Visits:
Your initial visit will typically last for 45 - 60 minutes. During this time we will discuss topics such as your past medical history, history of substance abuse, family dynamics, social, educational and occupational history, any current health issues and medications that you are currently taking. You will also have a physical exam and give a urine sample to determine and document your general state of health. In order to begin buprenorphine treatment it is important for you to be in a state of mild to moderate withdrawal, which occurs about 18- 24 hours from your last use of any heroin or opioid products. If you are transitioning from methadone to buprenorphine please let your provider know, as the induction process is slightly different. At your first appointment you will fill out your initial paperwork, which includes consent for treatment, notices of HIPPA compliance and privacy policies, consent for criminal background check, and acknowledgements of our practice policies.
Starting on buprenorphine treatment is called induction. You will begin the induction process in the comfort and privacy of your home and your provider will be available by phone should any questions or concerns arise. We strongly encourage you to bring a family member, friend or significant other with you to your first appointment to support you and help answer any questions that your provider may have. We understand that this can be a very frightening time for you and the more support that you have the more successful that you are likely to be. You will leave your initial appointment with a prescription for enough medication for the initial induction and to get you thru one week of treatment. You will be asked to return in one week for your first follow-up appointment. After patients have reached a stable point and have consistent urine drug screens, follow-up appointments are generally scheduled every 28 days.
Billing and Payment Policy:
Currently we are not accepting third-party payments from private insurance companies or Medicare. Payment of fees can be made via debit or credit card in the office at the time of the visit. We do not accept checks or cash payments. If you need a receipt for your payment we will be happy to provide you with one that includes a complete visit summary with the information necessary for you to file for reimbursement with your insurance company.
Medications:
Medication refills are addressed during your session. It is your responsibility to keep your follow- up appointments, take medications as prescribed, secure your medications against loss or theft and not to share your medications with others to ensure that there is no lapse in treatment. In the event of lost or stolen prescriptions or medications, replacements will only be provided at the discretion of your provider, with an accompanying police report and will require a face- to- face visit.
Minors:
Minor children under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied to the visit by a parent, legal guardian or court appointed individual. The adult accompanying the minor child may be asked to show proof of their legal right to make healthcare decisions for the minor child. After the initial visit, if a parent or legal guardian would like for someone other than themselves, such as a friend or family member to bring the child to a follow-up visit a form needs to be filled out allowing Nirvana Mental Healthcare Services, Inc. to release confidential healthcare information to the individual and also to make decisions on behalf of the parent in their absence. The accompanying adult is also responsible for any monies due at the time of the visit.
Medical records, letters and forms:
Nirvana Mental Healthcare Services, Inc. charges a fee for medical records, letters and forms that need to be completed for schools, camps, worker's compensation, occupational evaluations, short term disability and F.M.L.A. The fee varies, with a processing fee of $35.00 and $5.00 additional per one- sided page per form. Please allow one week from the date of the request for the form to be completed. Long term disability and F.M.L.A. forms require a six month established relationship with the practice to be completed on the patient’s behalf, in addition to any applicable fees.
Termination of patient relationship:
If you have not been treated by Dr. Williams for three months or longer you are no longer considered a patient, therefore no requests for forms, document completion or prescription refills will be honored. You may re-establish care by scheduling an appointment to be seen. Additionally, suspicion of drug diversion including abnormal urine drug screenings, no-shows for requested pill counts and multiple missed visits will result in termination of the provider/patient relationship.