No-Show & Late-Cancellation Policy

At SHIELD Psychiatry PLLC, every appointment is prepared specifically for you. Prior to each session, your provider reviews records, coordinates care, and reserves uninterrupted time to ensure personalized and thorough treatment. Missed or late-canceled appointments prevent another family from receiving needed care and disrupt your own treatment continuity.

1. Scheduling & Payment

  • Payment is due at the time of booking. We are a direct-pay concierge practice and do not bill insurance.
  • Once payment is received, your time is exclusively reserved.

2. Rescheduling Policy

  • Appointments rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice incur a $100 rescheduling fee.
  • This fee offsets preparation and administrative time already dedicated to your visit.

3. No-Show Policy

  • A no-show occurs when a patient fails to attend a scheduled appointment without notice.
  • If you do not attend your appointment, the full payment will be forfeited.
  • This applies to all appointment types, including evaluations, follow-ups, and therapy sessions.

4. Why This Policy Matters

Our policy is rooted in mutual respect for time and clinical preparation. Each appointment involves chart review, documentation, and coordination before your session begins. By maintaining consistent attendance, we protect access for every patient and preserve the integrity of your treatment plan.

5. Emergencies & Extenuating Circumstances

We understand that emergencies occur. If you experience hospitalization, illness, or a family emergency, notify our office promptly. Fee waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the provider’s discretion.

6. How to Cancel or Reschedule

  • Cancel or reschedule through the PracticeQ patient portal or call 813-592-7228.
  • Portal messages are timestamped to confirm timely notice.
  • Messages sent after business hours for next-day visits are considered less than 24-hour notice.

7. Our Promise

These standards ensure fairness and accessibility for every family we serve. At SHIELD Psychiatry, we believe that time is a form of respect — honoring it allows each patient to receive the focused, high-quality care they deserve.

Controlled Substance & Medication Refill Policy

SHIELD Psychiatry PLLC follows all Florida and federal regulations for prescribing and managing controlled substances. These guidelines promote patient safety, ethical prescribing, and legal compliance within a concierge telepsychiatry model.

1. Prescription Monitoring & Safety

  • All controlled prescriptions are verified through the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (E-FORCSE) prior to issuance or refill.
  • Controlled substances include stimulants, certain sleep medications, and anxiolytics.
  • Patients must adhere to all monitoring, follow-up, and safety requirements while under care.
  • Urine drug screening (UDS) may be required periodically to ensure safety and compliance.

2. Refill & Pharmacy Coordination

  • Refills are provided only during scheduled follow-up visits.
  • Controlled medications are not replaced early for any reason, including loss or theft.
  • Refills are issued to one designated pharmacy. Using multiple pharmacies or prescribers for the same medication violates practice policy.
  • Requests for medication adjustments or new prescriptions require an appointment.

3. Telehealth & Controlled Substance Policy

  • All prescriptions comply with DEA and Florida Telehealth regulations.
  • In-person evaluations may be required for continued prescribing of certain medications.
  • Controlled medications are not prescribed during the first visit without verified clinical documentation of prior use and safety.
  • If an appointment is missed or canceled, controlled substances will not be refilled until the next completed visit.

4. Medication Refill Guidelines

  • Refills for non-controlled medications may be requested via the portal 3 business days in advance.
  • Requests made after hours or on weekends are processed the next business day.
  • Medication changes or new prescriptions are not handled via email or portal messages.

5. Zero-Tolerance Policy

SHIELD Psychiatry enforces a zero-tolerance policy for misuse, diversion, falsification, or sharing of controlled medications. Evidence of misuse will result in immediate termination of care and notification of appropriate authorities when required.

6. Responsible Treatment & Safety

We are committed to safe, ethical, and compassionate care. Medication management decisions are made collaboratively and based on measurable outcomes. Controlled substances are prescribed only when clinically indicated and in alignment with evidence-based guidelines.

7. Your Role in Safe Prescribing

  • Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
  • Store medications securely and never share them.
  • Inform us of any side effects or new prescriptions from other providers.
  • Maintain one prescriber and one pharmacy for all controlled medications.

These policies protect your safety and preserve the trust essential in psychiatric care. By maintaining integrity and communication, SHIELD Psychiatry ensures the highest standard of ethical and effective treatment.

🛡️ SHIELD Psychiatry — Office Policies

💳 Payment & Cancellation Policy

At SHIELD Psychiatry, we value both your time and ours. Each appointment is reserved exclusively for you to ensure personalized, uninterrupted care. Because we dedicate significant time to preparation and follow-up, our policies protect fairness and access for all families.

  • Payment: Full payment is due at booking. SHIELD Psychiatry operates as a concierge, cash-pay practice; insurance is not billed. Superbills are available upon request for out-of-network reimbursement.
  • Rescheduling: Appointments rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice incur a $100 fee.
  • No-Show: Missed sessions without notice forfeit the full appointment fee.
  • Refunds: Payments for completed or missed appointments are non-refundable.
  • Respect for Time: These standards reflect mutual respect — valuing both patient and provider commitment. They ensure access for families awaiting care and preserve continuity for active patients.
💊 Medication & Refill Policy
  • Refills are provided only during scheduled appointments and based on clinical assessment.
  • Controlled medications cannot be refilled early or without a valid follow-up visit.
  • Missed or canceled visits void refill eligibility until the appointment is rescheduled.
  • Please request non-urgent refills at least 3 business days in advance via the secure portal.
  • Refill requests received after hours or on weekends will be reviewed on the next business day.
  • Medication quantities, intervals, and changes must be discussed directly with your provider for safety and accuracy.
⚖️ Controlled Substance & Notional Policy (Extended)

SHIELD Psychiatry follows all state and federal regulations for prescribing controlled substances, including stimulants, anxiolytics, and sleep medications. Our policies uphold ethical, legal, and safety standards for every prescription.

Monitoring & Compliance

  • The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (E-FORCSE) is reviewed before each controlled prescription or refill.
  • Urine drug screening (UDS) may be required to verify medication adherence and safety.
  • Early or multiple refill requests prompt safety review and may lead to medication adjustment or discontinuation.
  • Medication agreements are mandatory for all controlled-substance prescriptions.

Refill & Pharmacy Coordination

  • Prescriptions are written only for the discussed amount and interval.
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged prescriptions are not replaced early.
  • Controlled medications cannot be transferred between pharmacies without provider authorization.
  • Using multiple pharmacies or prescribers for controlled substances may result in termination of care.

Safety & Telehealth Limitations

  • Telepsychiatry prescribing complies with DEA and Florida telehealth rules.
  • In-person visits may be required for specific renewals or safety assessments.
  • Any indication of misuse, diversion, or adverse effects triggers clinical review and may warrant higher-level care referral.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

  • Falsifying information, sharing medication, or obtaining controlled substances under false pretenses results in immediate discontinuation of services and, if required by law, report to appropriate authorities.
💻 Telehealth & Communication Policy
  • All care is provided via HIPAA-secure telehealth platforms compliant with Florida law.
  • Email is for administrative use only. Clinical questions must be sent through the secure patient portal.
  • After-hours messages are reviewed on the next business day.
  • SHIELD Psychiatry does not manage emergency crises — please call 911 or 988 for immediate help or proceed to the nearest emergency department.
🧾 Documentation, Forms & Letters
  • Form requests (IEP, 504 plans, camp, or FMLA) are included in the concierge membership plan or billed separately.
  • Please allow 3–5 business days for completion.
  • Requests for new or updated documentation may require an appointment to ensure clinical accuracy.
🌟 Our Commitment

We uphold a model of excellence where compassion meets accountability. These policies safeguard patient safety, promote transparent communication, and preserve the trust of every family we serve. Together, we protect young minds and empower futures.