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.
When does it make sense to change providers?
Plenty of ordinary reasons lead people to change. You may have moved, your insurance may have changed, your provider may be leaving, or you may need something the current practice does not offer. Sometimes the fit is simply not right, and it is okay to change to a different professional.
If the reason is that treatment does not seem to be working, it is worth saying so first. You can tell your provider what is not working, ask about other options, or ask for another opinion. Treatment also needs time, and it can take a few tries to find what works. Our guide on when treatment is not working can help you sort out what to raise, and how to choose a provider covers what to look for next.
How do I switch without a gap in care?
The order matters more than the speed. Try to line up the new care before you end the old care, because the risky stretch is the one where you have no prescriber and a shrinking supply.
- Keep taking your medication as prescribedBeing unhappy with a provider is not a reason to change a medication. If you want to change it, talk with your prescriber first.
- Find the new provider before you leaveAsk whether they take new patients, whether they treat what you need, and how insurance works. Ask how soon they can see you, since this differs from one practice to another.
- Tell your current prescriber your plansYou can keep it short: I am moving my care, and I want to avoid a gap. Ask how long they can keep prescribing while you make the change.
- Check your supply and refill datesWrite down the date each medication runs out and how many refills are left. Compare those dates with your first appointment.
- Request your recordsDo this early, so copies are not a last-minute worry. Ask for them to go to you, the new provider, or both.
- Stay in touch until care has movedDo not close out the old relationship until you know what the new provider recommends and who is prescribing what.
Why not just stop my medication while I change providers?
People should not stop taking a prescribed medication without the help of a health care provider, even when they feel better. Stopping too soon may cause unpleasant or harmful side effects, and a provider can adjust the plan to lower a dose slowly when that is the right step. Changing or stopping a medication on your own can also make your condition worse.
The same holds if you think a medication is not working or it makes you feel unwell. Talk to the prescriber you have now before you change anything. That may feel awkward if you are leaving, but a brief call or portal message is a normal part of moving care.
Which records should I ask for?
Federal law gives you the right to a copy of your medical records. A new provider may also ask you to sign a release form so they can request records directly. You do not need every page. These are usually the most useful:
| Record | Why it helps a new provider |
|---|---|
| Most recent evaluation or diagnosis summary | Shows how the diagnosis was reached and what was considered |
| Recent visit notes | Shows what changed lately and what the plan was |
| Current medication list with doses | Reduces the chance of an error when care moves |
| Past medication trials | Shows what has been tried and how it went |
| Lab results | Avoids guesswork about what was already checked |
| Hospital or emergency discharge papers | Gives the history of any higher level of care |
| Contact details for other providers | Makes coordination possible, with your permission |
What should my own medication list include?
Records can be slow or incomplete, so keep your own list. You know things a chart may miss, such as why you stopped something or what it felt like. This list is worth having even if every record arrives on time.
- Every current medication and dose, and what each one is treating
- Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies and supplements
- Past medications you remember, and why they did or did not work
- Side effects and any allergies or reactions
- The date each current prescription runs out, and your pharmacy's name and number
How do I plan around refills?
Plan backward from the date you will run out, not forward from the date you decide to leave. Ask for refills from your current prescriber before you run out, and do not assume a first appointment elsewhere will end with a new prescription. An evaluation comes first, and the outcome is not known ahead of time.
If your supply will end before your first visit, tell your current prescriber as soon as you see the problem. You can also ask the new office whether an earlier opening may come up. If you cannot reach your prescriber, your pharmacist or primary care provider may be able to tell you what your options are.
What will a new provider do?
Expect a full evaluation, not a simple handover. A new provider asks about your symptoms, history, medications, family history and goals, and forms their own view. They may agree with your earlier plan or suggest something different, and you can ask why.
That is also why no new provider can promise to continue a current medication. 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 page on medication management describes follow-up here.
At DanShalom Behavioral Clinic, a first psychiatric evaluation takes about 60 minutes, in person in Sugar Land or by secure video for people physically in Texas, Idaho, Arizona or Maryland at the time of the visit. You see the same provider at every visit, and we check coverage before the first visit. Plans are listed on our insurance page. Ask us about refills and what to send ahead when you request an appointment.
If you or someone you know is in crisis during the change, do not wait for a new appointment. Call or text 988, or call 911 if there is immediate danger. DanShalom Behavioral Clinic is not an emergency service.
Questions patients ask
Can you promise to continue my current medication?
No. Decisions about medication are made after an evaluation, and no medication can be promised ahead of time. We will look at what you take now, how it has worked and what has changed. Bring your medication list and any records you have, and keep taking your medication as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
Do I have to tell my current provider why I am leaving?
You do not owe a long explanation. It is still useful to tell them you are moving your care, so you can plan for prescriptions and records. A sentence or two is fine. If something about your care did not work for you, saying so can help them send more useful information on to the next provider.
What if my old provider will not send my records?
You have a right under federal law to get a copy of your medical records. Ask the office how to request them, and put the request in writing if you can. Do not let a delay stop you from starting: come to your first visit with your own medication list and what you remember, and share what you have.
What if I already stopped a medication or ran out?
Tell a prescriber as soon as you can, and be open about the date and what you have noticed since. Please do not restart at an old dose on your own without advice. If you feel unsafe or have thoughts of harming yourself, treat it as urgent and use the crisis contacts on this crisis resources page.
Is it okay to see a new provider while I am still with my old one?
Yes, you can meet a new provider or get another opinion while you are still in care. What matters is that everyone knows who is prescribing what, so you do not end up with two plans. Tell each provider about every medication you take, and agree on who is responsible before care moves over.
References
Reviewed by Victor Onodjacha, MSN, PMHNP-BC, . This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.