• Focused attention to mental health treatment in medically complex patients. This requires advanced medical training, physiological expertise, and attention to potentially unsafe multi medication interactions. A geriatric psychiatrist is specifically trained to differentiate between depression, dementia, and confusion that might be caused by a medical insult.
  

• Direct, high-touch personalized care from a board certified geriatric psychiatrist. You see Dr. Valdez at every appointment. No rotating cast of providers. No pressured time constraints. No shortcuts in quality.
  

• With your authorization: coordination of psychiatric care with primary care, neurology, cardiology, memory specialists, family/caregivers

  BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

  During our complimentary 10 minute initial phone consultation (required before your first appointment), we will see if your goals align with my treatment style.  We will discuss our fees and payment options with you transparently, ensuring that you feel comfortable and informed about the investment you are making in your well-being. At your first appointment please bring the last 3 progress notes from your previous psychiatrist (or if Dr Valdez was your psychiatrist at Baylor Scott & White — call 844.848.BSWH (2794) to obtain your records

• Our office does not participate in commercial insurance, Medicare and/or Medicaid. Why? This allows for increased appointment time and easier access to care without insurance constraints or delays.

• NOTE: If you have Medicare, you can still be seen as a private pay client but you will need to sign a simple private contract (required by law for out of network providers) acknowledging that neither you nor I will seek reimbursement from Medicare.

THE PRIVATE PAY ADVANTAGE

• Private, discreet, confidential

• You will know who your psychiatrist is

• Personalized psychiatric care—not a revolving door, not a rotating cast of providers

• Transparent fees and no surprise charges

• Direct communication with your psychiatrist via secure portals

• Longer appointments when clinically appropriate

• A relationship-based approach to psychiatric care

• Coordinated care where I proactively interface with your primary care physician, neurologists, and other specialists

Straightforward and transparent. No monthly concierge membership charges or retainers. No surprise charges. No hidden fees. No gimmicks.

After the initial evaluation, you pay only for the time you need.

If you are on a medication regimen (of non controlled substances), the maximum interval between visits is 6 months.

FEES

• Comprehensive Initial Evaluation of New Patient (must be in person): Comprehensive history, review medical records/medications/lab tests (you can bring your most current set), mental status exam, cognitive screen, +/- collect caregiver collateral information, formulate treatment plan. This includes two 10 min check-ins (via secure e-mail or phone) before the next scheduled visit. (75 mins).    $500

• Straightforward Initial Evaluation of New Patient without Cognitive Screen or Caregiver Meeting (must be in person): Comprehensive history, review medical records/medications/lab tests (you can bring your most current set), mental status exam, formulate treatment plan. (60 mins) $450

• Seeking a Second Opinion on Your Mental Health Medications? One Time Consultation: Evaluation of your mental health medication regimen to reduce the burden of over-medication. Together with patients, I construct a de-prescribing roadmap to recommend to your original prescriber/PCP. This option does not establish a formal treatment relationship — only a consultation. (60 mins) $400

After you are an established patient in our practice/already known to me, there are 3 options for follow up visits:

• In Depth Follow Up Visit: Medication management plus caregiver meeting to address their concerns and discuss practical guidance on behavioral strategies, or one-on-one supportive psychotherapy (45 mins)   $300

• Medium Length Follow Up Visit: Medication management plus brief supportive psychotherapy. Recommended if your symptoms have markedly changed and warrant a change in medication (30 mins) $200

• Brief Follow Up Visit: Don’t need or/already have a therapist and need only a brief straightforward session for medication management? Vitals, symptoms inventory, evaluating side effects, tracking symptom progression, minor dose adjustments if needed. This visit would occur every 3-6 months only if you are stable on a maintenance regimen. (15-20 mins) $150

• Phone calls, correspondence, paperwork, or chart review between visits which require clinical decision making: $100 for each 15 min increment (if phone call length exceeds 7 minutes this will round up to 15 mins). Note: This is not a substitute for a Brief Follow Up Visit

• Clinical calls lasting 5 minutes or less: free

Other fees:

• Modifications to medications or refills managed outside of a scheduled appointment   $50

• Returned checks $100

• Copies of records (20 pgs max) $35

• Missed appointments with less than 24 hrs notice or “no shows”: full appointment fee is charged. NOTE: your appointment slot is reserved just for you.

Discount Options

• Follow up appointment packages of 3 sessions are available at a discount at the time you book an appointment online.

First call or e-mail for a complimentary 10 min consultation. If I am able to continue care with you, click on the link below, follow the directions and request the last 3 progress notes of your mental health medical records:

https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/request-copies-of-your-medical-records

After you have obtained a copy of the records, schedule an appointment with me and bring them to the appointment.

Both. We offer in-office sessions and via video conferencing over secure HIPAA compliant software.

All you need is your electronic pad, desktop computer, laptop or cell phone which must have video/audio capabilities.

Telehealth benefits:‍ ‍

• convenient during severe weather or when facing transportation challenges

• convenient for homebound clients or those with severe mobility diffculties

• zero traffic, no travel time, saves you $ on gas and tolls

• accommodates busy schedules, no need to take off time from work or arrange for childcare

• easily consult with us if you are geographically distant

Stable internet connection required.  I cannot conduct telehealth visits when you are in public or driving.

I do not do in person home visits or senior living (including memory care) visits. I am unable to visit you in person or conduct a telehealth visit with you while you are actively hospitalized.

I cannot start or adjust your medications while you are being treated by other healthcare providers at those locations.

• Though I incorporate some basic supportive psychotherapeutic techniques during our sessions as warranted, I do not provide exclusive psychotherapy treatment. I am happy to refer you to psychotherapists outside my practice.

• I am unable to see children and adolescents but I can refer you to those who do.

I am unable to see psychiatric conditions that require acute or higher level of psychiatric care, such as:

• Active thoughts of harming self or others. We are not a 24/7 crisis center or emergency room

• Eating disorders

• Addiction disorders

• Acute intoxication or withdrawal from illicit substances

• Veterans Administration claims.  VA claims require an independent examiner, not a treating physician

• Workers’ compensation evaluations or documentation. This also requires an independent examiner.

• Court-ordered or forensic psychiatric evaluations.

• Emotional Support Animal (ESA) evaluations or letters

• ADHD or ADD evaluations or treatment

• Prescriptions for stimulant medications for ADHD or ADD  

• Prescriptions for daily use of benzodiazepines (like Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc). Read about the risks of this drug class here: https://www.benzoinfo.com/benzodiazepine-older-adults-impact/

• Ketamine or esketamine (Spravato) treatments

• TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

• Prescriptions for opiate based treatments

• Administration of long-acting injectable psychiatric medications. Patients who require long-acting injectable medications must arrange administration through their pharmacy, primary care physician, or another medical provider.