At a glance
- Who it's for
- People ages 5 to 65. A parent or guardian joins visits for patients under 18.
- Where
- In person at our Sugar Land, TX office, or by secure video for people located in Texas, Idaho, Arizona or Maryland.
- Provider
- Victor Onodjacha, MSN, PMHNP-BC: a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, not a physician.
- First step
- A psychiatric evaluation. Send a one-minute request or call.
- Cost
- Many major plans, checked before your first visit, or self-pay. Insurance and fees
- Not for emergencies
- Call or text 988, or call 911.
Why does it matter where I am during a video visit?
Your home address does not decide this. What counts is where you are physically sitting when the visit starts. Our provider is licensed in Texas, Idaho, Arizona and Maryland, and we offer video visits to people who are physically in one of those four states at the time of the visit.
So a person who lives in Sugar Land but is visiting family in another state may not be able to keep a video appointment from there. A person who lives elsewhere but is staying in one of the four states may be able to. When in doubt, ask us before the visit and not on the day of it. We are not giving legal advice here, and other clinicians and clinics may work differently.
What should I do in my situation?
The right plan depends on how long you will be away and whether you will return. These are starting points to discuss with us.
| Situation | What to think about | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip outside the four states | A video visit during the trip may not be possible | Tell us the dates and move the visit to before or after, if your care allows |
| College student in one of the four states | Video may continue if you are physically in that state for each visit | Tell us your school address and the semester dates |
| College student in another state | You may need local care during the school year | Ask about visits during breaks at home, and look at campus health services |
| Winter or summer home elsewhere | Video visits depend on which home you are in that day | Share your schedule, and book visits for times you are in one of the four states |
| Working on the road | Your location may differ from visit to visit | Check where you will be before each appointment |
| Moving to one of the four states | Your insurance may change, and plans differ by state | Tell us your new address and insurance before the move |
| Moving somewhere else | You will need a new provider | Start the records and handoff steps below early |
What if my child or teen goes away to school?
Video visits depend on where the student is, not where the family lives, and a parent or guardian must be present at appointments for patients under 18. A student who is still under 18 when college starts may need extra planning, so raise it with us well ahead of time.
Many students have access to mental health services through their school's health center. It is worth finding out what is available before the semester starts, and not during a hard week. NAMI also encourages students to put in writing, in advance, who the college may talk to during a health emergency.
How should I plan for medication while I am away?
Bring it up at a visit before you leave, so that you and your prescriber can plan for the time you will be gone. Refill details depend on your situation, so ask us how they would work. Medication decisions are made after an evaluation, not every medication can be prescribed at every kind of visit, and some may require an in-person visit. We explain what applies to you, and our medication management page describes follow-up.
If you are traveling abroad, the CDC offers practical guidance. Rules about carrying medicines differ from country to country, so it advises checking with the embassies of your destination and any layover countries.
- Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers and pack them in your carry-on.
- Take enough for the whole trip, plus extra in case of delays.
- Bring copies of your written prescriptions, and leave a copy with someone at home.
- If you are crossing time zones, ask your prescriber how to time your doses.
- If you will be gone more than 30 days, ask early, because some insurers pay for only a 30-day supply at a time.
How do I move my care to a new provider?
Try not to leave a gap. NIMH advises against stopping treatment without talking with your health care provider, and that holds during a move too. Stopping a medication too soon can cause unpleasant or harmful side effects, so keep taking it as prescribed and talk with your prescriber about any change.
- Tell us as soon as you knowGive us your moving date and where you are going, so that we can talk through the handoff at your remaining visits.
- Find a provider in your new locationA primary care provider can refer you. Your insurer can tell you which local providers it covers, and state or county health departments and SAMHSA's online treatment locator are other places to look.
- Ask for your recordsYou can ask to see and get a copy of your medical records, including an electronic copy. Ask us how to make the request, and whether records can go directly to your new provider.
- Make your own one-page summaryList your diagnoses, current medications and doses, what you tried before and how it went, and your providers' names. Do this even if records are on the way.
- Book your first new visit earlyAsk your current prescriber how to bridge the time before it. Expect the new provider to do their own evaluation. They cannot promise to continue a particular medication.
What if I have a crisis while I am away from home?
Do not wait for your next appointment or try to reach us first. You can call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor, or call 911 if there is immediate danger. DanShalom Behavioral Clinic is not an emergency service, and our email and text line are not monitored for emergencies.
It helps to write down the name of your nearest hospital when you settle into a new place, and to save 988 in your phone. Our crisis resources page lists more options.
How do I tell DanShalom Behavioral Clinic about a change?
Call or message us as soon as you know your plans, and include your dates and where you will be. We answer messages within 2 hours during office hours, Monday to Friday. In-person visits take place only at our Sugar Land office, which may be an option around a trip if you live nearby.
New patients can start with a short appointment request and tell us about any upcoming move or school schedule. Our telehealth guide can help you choose between video and the office. If you are moving and your coverage is changing, see our insurance page, since the plans we accept differ by state. Our psychiatric evaluation page explains how care starts here.
Questions patients ask
Can I keep a video visit while I am on vacation?
Only if you are physically in Texas, Idaho, Arizona or Maryland at the time of the visit. If your trip takes you elsewhere, tell us beforehand and we can look at moving the appointment. Please do not assume it is fine to join from another state without checking. We would rather sort it out in advance than cancel on the day.
Does my home address decide whether I can have a video visit?
No. What counts is where you are physically located when the visit takes place, wherever your mail goes. If you split your time between homes, keep us up to date so that visits land on days when you are in one of the four states we serve.
I am moving to another state. Can I keep seeing you?
If you are moving to Texas, Idaho, Arizona or Maryland, video care may be able to continue, although your insurance may change. If you are moving elsewhere, you will need a new provider there, and we can talk through the handoff. Tell us early, and keep taking your medication as prescribed while you arrange it.
How do I get a copy of my records when I leave?
You can ask to see and get a copy of your medical records, including an electronic copy. Ask us how to make the request and whether we can send them directly to your new provider. Start before your last visit if you can, and keep your own medication list as a backup in the meantime.
Will a new provider keep my medication the same?
Not necessarily, and no provider should promise that before seeing you. A new provider does their own evaluation and then discusses options with you. Bring your medication list and your history of what has and has not helped. Talk with a prescriber before making any change, and do not stop on your own while you wait.
References
- Help for Mental Illnesses (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Mental Health Medications (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Traveling Abroad with Medicine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- HIPAA Basics for Providers: Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
- My loved one is receiving mental health treatment but I can't get any information because of HIPAA (NAMI HelpLine)
Reviewed by Victor Onodjacha, MSN, PMHNP-BC, . This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.