Welcome!

There’s room for you here.

I’ve shared a suite with Dr. Warner and Sharon for the past two years—partly because Dr. Warner wanted his patients to have trusted options when it was time for him to retire. There’s a place for you here, and Sharon and I are already working together to make the transition as smooth as possible.

If you think we might be a good fit, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. It’s a chance to get to know each other, answer your questions, and talk through financial options—I understand your needs may be different from other new clients. I encourage you to book soon, even if you're not quite ready to start, to avoid delays as Dr. Warner nears retirement.

Transitions like this can be hard, especially when you’re parting with someone who’s been central to your care. I’d be honored to support you and the progress you’ve already made.

Fees

New Client Appointment $300

This appointment will last 60-90 minutes, and is more than an “initial evaluation.” While I do need to understand your history and symptoms, the most important part of this meeting will be our collaboration on your initial treatment plan. This process is called “shared decision-making.”

Follow-up Appointments

Because your needs may differ from those of my typical new client I’m arranging custom options with you in mind, including a membership option with consistent monthly pricing. Please schedule a free consultation or check back here for details.

Most HSA and FSA cards can be used for appointments. I also accept all major credit/debit cards and CareCredit, which offers deferred-interest payment options.

Got Questions?

Please schedule a free, no-strings consultation. We’ll use the time to answer your questions and ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

Insurance

Our healthcare system can offer life-saving care, but it also comes with frustrating red tape, especially in psychiatry. Like many mental health providers, I don’t accept insurance for appointment fees. As a result, most of my time remains dedicated to what’s most important: YOU. Insurance can often be used for other aspects of treatment, including:

  • Medication coverage: Most plans cover prescriptions.

  • Lab and genetic testing: Many plans include these, and I’ll help you access benefits whenever possible.

  • Out-of-network reimbursement: If your plan includes this for psychiatry, I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) upon request. To check your coverage and learn how to submit, call your insurance provider and ask about the following codes:

    • 99204 or 99205 for the initial evaluation

    • 99214 for follow-up appointments

The following information may be helpful as you consider your options.

Got Questions?

  • If you think we might be a good fit, please schedule your free consultation now. Doing so doesn’t obligate you in any way, but it does ensure you’ll get your questions answered in plenty of time to make a decision.

  • The answer may differ from one person to the next. Please let me know what meets your needs, and that’s what we’ll do.

    If you opt for a later appointment, please request records before your psychiatrist retires. Records must be maintained and made available to you by law, however the process will be simplest now.

  • You’ll notice a few administrative differences. For example, medicines (including controlled substances) are prescribed electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. Instead of calling the office when you need something, you’ll message me directly via secure chat. And, you’ll often schedule your own follow-up appointments after viewing my schedule online. This is especially helpful if something changes and you need to see me sooner than anticipated.

    The hardest part of seeing a new prescriber is that the last one knew you so well. That kind of relationship requires time and simply can’t be rushed. Building connections with clients over time is one of the things I enjoy about my work. The more I learn about you, the more specific and detailed my recommendations can be, and I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you.

  • If you’ve had your free consultation, you’re in good shape! Please ask to schedule (or move up) your first appointment. We’ll work together to prescribe adequate refills to the pharmacy of your choice.

    If you haven’t had your free consultation, please schedule one quickly and we’ll discuss your options.

    In most cases, I can get you in for an appointment promptly. If my schedule doesn’t meet your needs, primary care might prescribe enough to tide you over (especially if you can give them your appointment date).

  • Records can be faxed to me at 866-352-9609.

    If you would like help getting your records, message me to ask for a records release form.

  • If you haven’t had your free consultation, please schedule it. Writing down your questions in advance is a good way to ensure we cover everything.

    For questions that arise after the free consultation, log in to your new account to send me a message. Look for the “Established Client Portal” links located on my home page and the “Schedule With Me” page, then enter your user name and password.

    If you had your free consultation but didn’t create a free account, please search your email for messages from “Essential Psychiatry.” Messages were sent when you scheduled your consultation and again on the day we met by phone. Simply click the link and follow the prompts to log in. If you have trouble finding the invitation, don’t forget to check your spam folder!

Dr. Richard Warner MD psychiatrist retiring