Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to help you get started, feel supported, and stay informed.

Getting Started

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?

No referral is required. However, if your primary care provider or therapist refers you directly, we’ll coordinate care with them if you give us permission.

What’s the best way to schedule?

Call our front office at (478) 745-9206. Our intake coordinator will walk you through next steps and help verify your insurance benefits.

Where are you located?

Our clinic is at: 📍 3100 Ridge Ave, Macon, GA 31204

What if I am having an emergency?

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room ASAP.

Services & Treatment

What conditions do you treat?

We treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related conditions, OCD, and other psychiatric disorders. If you’re not sure whether we’re the right fit, give us a call.

Do you offer therapy or just medication?

We offer both. Our team includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists. Some patients receive only therapy, others only medication, and many receive both.

What is Spravato® and how do I access it?

Spravato® is an in-office esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. Learn more on our [Spravato® page →].

Appointments

How soon can I be seen?

We offer immediate openings with psychiatric residents supervised by Dr. Sarah Graff, as well as appointments with our NPs and psychiatrists depending on availability.

Will I always see the same provider?

Whenever possible, yes. We believe in continuity of care and will assign you a consistent provider or treatment team.

Can I be seen via telehealth?

Yes — many services are available via secure telehealth. Some services, like Spravato®, require in-person visits.

For the first visit, we ask that patients have an in-office appointment for the initial evaluation. After that, we offer HIPAA-compliant video platforms or phone calls so that you have access to secure, convenient care wherever you are in Georgia.

🧾 Insurance & Payment

Do you take insurance?

Yes — we accept insurance for both psychiatric care and therapy, but coverage works a little differently for each.

How do I know if you are covered by my insurance?

  • We strongly encourage you to verify with your insurance provider to ensure that The Psychiatric Center is currently in-network and that your specific services are covered.
  • To find the names of providers in your area who are in your insurance plan’s network you can:
    • Contact your insurance company by phone to ask for a list of providers.
      • The number is on the back of your insurance card
    • Look on your health insurance company’s website or app.

💳 No Insurance?

We offer straightforward private pay options. Call our office and we’ll walk you through the rates — no surprises.

🧠 Psychiatric Services

We’re in-network with:

  • Anthem / Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna

We also accept Medicare for psychiatric services as a non-participating provider.

Here’s what that means:

  • You pay us directly at your visit
  • We’ll bill Medicare for you
  • Medicare sends reimbursement directly to you
  • You’ll typically get back part of the cost, depending on Medicare’s rates

We help with the paperwork so you don’t have to submit your own claims.

💬 Therapy Services

We accept most major insurance plans for therapy, including:

  • Medicare (we are a participating provider for therapy)
  • Other commercial plans (just call us to check your coverage)

Participating means we bill your insurance directly and you only pay your copay or deductible.

🧬 What is GeneSight® Testing?

“Will this medication work for me?”
GeneSight® is a type of genetic testing that helps us answer that question more precisely.

It analyzes how your body metabolizes and responds to psychiatric medications based on your DNA — particularly how certain genes influence the way your brain and liver process antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and more.

This information can help us choose medications that are more likely to work well — and avoid those that may cause side effects or be less effective for you.

We may recommend GeneSight® testing:

  • If you’ve tried multiple medications without success
  • If you’ve experienced strong side effects
  • If your symptoms are complex or treatment-resistant

💳 Cost & Coverage

  • GeneSight® is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare
  • Out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific benefits
  • The company offers a financial assistance program for those who qualify

We’ll walk you through the process, answer all questions, and only proceed if it’s clinically appropriate and financially clear.

Prescriptions

How do I request a medication refill?

Call the office or use your pharmacy’s refill request system. Please allow up to 48 business hours for processing.

Can you prescribe controlled substances?

Yes, when clinically appropriate. Controlled medications require careful monitoring and follow-up appointments.