POLICIES
Medication Refills
Before contacting the clinic, please call the pharmacy directly to ensure that you do not have any additional refills or a new prescription available. We do not respond to pharmacy-generated automated refill requests. It may take up to five business days to generate your script. Occasionally, certain medications cannot be prescribed electronically or via telephone and must be picked up at The Via Center.
Cancellation and No Show Policy
Once your appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay the full professional fee unless you provide advance notice as described below. For our part, we will make every effort to provide you with adequate notice if your provider will be unavailable for a scheduled appointment and will work to reschedule your appointment in a timely fashion.
Advance Notice:
Notice of cancellation must be received at least 24 business hours in advance for weekday appointments. Please remember that business hours are considered weekdays from Monday through Friday and exclude all standard holidays. For example, if your appointment is on a Monday, the cancellation must be made by the same hour on the preceding Friday.
Cancellation/No-Show Fees:
There is a fee of $300 for late cancellations for psychiatric/psychological evaluations and your appointment will not be rescheduled. The fee of $300 will also be charged for missed scheduled psychiatric consultations and any appointments where you arrive more than 15 minutes late. This fee is not covered by insurance and cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement. Your initial evaluation is taken very seriously as ample time is set aside to get to know you, answer questions and discuss treatment options. If you do not come in for a scheduled first appointment, you will not be able to reschedule as you have taken valuable time that might have been used for another patient to receive care. You will thus need to find care through another mental health provider. Our zero-tolerance policy for missing your first appointment is one that respects both the provider’s and our patients’ needs equally.
For follow-up appointments, there is a fee of up to $150 for late cancellations, missed appointments and any appointments where you arrive more than 15 minutes late to the session. This fee is not covered by insurance and cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement.
No-Shows and Repeated Cancellations:
In fairness to other patients and in order to provide safe treatment to engaged patients who are most likely to benefit, repeated no-shows or late cancellations may be cause to discontinue treatment at our clinic.
Advance Notice:
Notice of cancellation must be received at least 24 business hours in advance for weekday appointments. Please remember that business hours are considered weekdays from Monday through Friday and exclude all standard holidays. For example, if your appointment is on a Monday, the cancellation must be made by the same hour on the preceding Friday.
Cancellation/No-Show Fees:
There is a fee of $300 for late cancellations for psychiatric/psychological evaluations and your appointment will not be rescheduled. The fee of $300 will also be charged for missed scheduled psychiatric consultations and any appointments where you arrive more than 15 minutes late. This fee is not covered by insurance and cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement. Your initial evaluation is taken very seriously as ample time is set aside to get to know you, answer questions and discuss treatment options. If you do not come in for a scheduled first appointment, you will not be able to reschedule as you have taken valuable time that might have been used for another patient to receive care. You will thus need to find care through another mental health provider. Our zero-tolerance policy for missing your first appointment is one that respects both the provider’s and our patients’ needs equally.
For follow-up appointments, there is a fee of up to $150 for late cancellations, missed appointments and any appointments where you arrive more than 15 minutes late to the session. This fee is not covered by insurance and cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement.
No-Shows and Repeated Cancellations:
In fairness to other patients and in order to provide safe treatment to engaged patients who are most likely to benefit, repeated no-shows or late cancellations may be cause to discontinue treatment at our clinic.
Fees and Insurance
Professional Fees:
Fees are subject to change and reflect the complexity and type of service(s) provided. You will be notified thirty day in advance of any changes in our fees. Any amounts not paid by insurance are your responsibility. Payment is due at the time of service.
All patients must have an active credit card on file in order to receive treatment at Via. You can also choose to pay by other methods by letting your provider know during your visit.
We accept cash, check, debit cards, major credit cards (including by credit card on file authorization), and electronic fund transfer. You are responsible for fees from credit card companies, collection agencies or banks due to non-sufficient funds, payment disputes, or non-payment of fees. A fee of $50 will be assessed for returned checks. Please notify The Via Center staff if there is any change in your payment information or if any problem arises in your ability to make payments.
We will try to complete all work during our scheduled sessions. It may occasionally be necessary for us to charge on a prorated basis for professional services that require extensive time commitment such as report writing, telephone conversations lasting longer than 15 minutes, and consultations with other professionals that you have requested. After the first 15 minutes, the charge for these services may be billed at $50 per 10-minute increment. This amount may not covered by insurance and is thus your responsibility.
We strive to provide exceptional care during and after business hours, in-person and virtually. To do so, we require significant administrative support so that your needs can be addressed quickly and accurately. These services, including filling out paperwork, providing after-hours communication and more, directly impact patient care but are not covered by health insurance. This is a unique offering of The Via Center that adds incredible value to your care as we are responsive and timely in addressing your concerns. Thus, your card on file will be charged a Concierge Fee of $10 at the beginning of each month starting January, 2023. This fee covers all the administrative tasks that enable us to provide high quality care for you.
Accepted Insurances:
We accept most UPMC, Highmark, United and Aetna Commercial insurances. We do not participate in any other insurances. It is your responsibility to confirm insurance coverage for your services with us. We do not participate in any CHIP, medicaid or medicare programs. We ask that you verify your eligibility, deductible, co-insurance and copayment with your insurance company prior to scheduling your first appointment at The Via Center, PC. If your insurance requires pre-authorization for services, it is your responsibility to obtain this authorization prior to treatment. If you fail to do so, you may be charged for fees and services that are not reimbursed.
Self-pay or Out of Network insurance:
If we are not participating providers in your insurance or you do not wish to use insurance as payment (ie, you wish to self-pay), your bill must be paid in full at the time of service. After your appointment, you will be provided with a “superbill” with codes that reflect the services performed that day at The Via Center. You can then submit this to your insurance for reimbursement. If you change from self-pay to using insurance benefits, we cannot submit insurance claims for any prior sessions that you have already paid for out of pocket. We cannot provide refunds for any payments made prior to switching from self-pay to insurance.
Good Faith Estimate:
Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP:
The Via Center does not participate in Medicare or Medicaid or CHIP. You cannot submit any bills from The Via Center to Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP. You also cannot submit for reimbursement of copayments if Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP is your/your child’s secondary insurance.
Outstanding balances:
After 30 days of the invoice, you will be billed a late fee of $35 per month for any outstanding balances. We thus ask you to pay your balance as soon as you receive the invoice. Accounts with outstanding balances after 90 days will be sent to collections. Please pay all balances on time to avoid this.
Concierge Fee
We strive to provide exceptional care during and after business hours, in-person and virtually. To do so, we require significant administrative support so that your needs can be addressed quickly and accurately. These services, including filling out paperwork, providing after-hours communication and more, directly impact patient care but are not covered by health insurance. This is a unique offering of The Via Center that adds incredible value to your care as we are responsive and timely in addressing your concerns. Thus, your card on file will be charged a concierge fee of $10 at the beginning of each month. This fee covers all the administrative tasks that enable us to provide high quality care for you.
Fees are subject to change and reflect the complexity and type of service(s) provided. You will be notified thirty day in advance of any changes in our fees. Any amounts not paid by insurance are your responsibility. Payment is due at the time of service.
All patients must have an active credit card on file in order to receive treatment at Via. You can also choose to pay by other methods by letting your provider know during your visit.
We accept cash, check, debit cards, major credit cards (including by credit card on file authorization), and electronic fund transfer. You are responsible for fees from credit card companies, collection agencies or banks due to non-sufficient funds, payment disputes, or non-payment of fees. A fee of $50 will be assessed for returned checks. Please notify The Via Center staff if there is any change in your payment information or if any problem arises in your ability to make payments.
We will try to complete all work during our scheduled sessions. It may occasionally be necessary for us to charge on a prorated basis for professional services that require extensive time commitment such as report writing, telephone conversations lasting longer than 15 minutes, and consultations with other professionals that you have requested. After the first 15 minutes, the charge for these services may be billed at $50 per 10-minute increment. This amount may not covered by insurance and is thus your responsibility.
We strive to provide exceptional care during and after business hours, in-person and virtually. To do so, we require significant administrative support so that your needs can be addressed quickly and accurately. These services, including filling out paperwork, providing after-hours communication and more, directly impact patient care but are not covered by health insurance. This is a unique offering of The Via Center that adds incredible value to your care as we are responsive and timely in addressing your concerns. Thus, your card on file will be charged a Concierge Fee of $10 at the beginning of each month starting January, 2023. This fee covers all the administrative tasks that enable us to provide high quality care for you.
Accepted Insurances:
We accept most UPMC, Highmark, United and Aetna Commercial insurances. We do not participate in any other insurances. It is your responsibility to confirm insurance coverage for your services with us. We do not participate in any CHIP, medicaid or medicare programs. We ask that you verify your eligibility, deductible, co-insurance and copayment with your insurance company prior to scheduling your first appointment at The Via Center, PC. If your insurance requires pre-authorization for services, it is your responsibility to obtain this authorization prior to treatment. If you fail to do so, you may be charged for fees and services that are not reimbursed.
Self-pay or Out of Network insurance:
If we are not participating providers in your insurance or you do not wish to use insurance as payment (ie, you wish to self-pay), your bill must be paid in full at the time of service. After your appointment, you will be provided with a “superbill” with codes that reflect the services performed that day at The Via Center. You can then submit this to your insurance for reimbursement. If you change from self-pay to using insurance benefits, we cannot submit insurance claims for any prior sessions that you have already paid for out of pocket. We cannot provide refunds for any payments made prior to switching from self-pay to insurance.
Good Faith Estimate:
- You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
- For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call us at 724-260-0550x2.
Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP:
The Via Center does not participate in Medicare or Medicaid or CHIP. You cannot submit any bills from The Via Center to Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP. You also cannot submit for reimbursement of copayments if Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP is your/your child’s secondary insurance.
Outstanding balances:
After 30 days of the invoice, you will be billed a late fee of $35 per month for any outstanding balances. We thus ask you to pay your balance as soon as you receive the invoice. Accounts with outstanding balances after 90 days will be sent to collections. Please pay all balances on time to avoid this.
Concierge Fee
We strive to provide exceptional care during and after business hours, in-person and virtually. To do so, we require significant administrative support so that your needs can be addressed quickly and accurately. These services, including filling out paperwork, providing after-hours communication and more, directly impact patient care but are not covered by health insurance. This is a unique offering of The Via Center that adds incredible value to your care as we are responsive and timely in addressing your concerns. Thus, your card on file will be charged a concierge fee of $10 at the beginning of each month. This fee covers all the administrative tasks that enable us to provide high quality care for you.