What is Medication Management?
Medication management is the ongoing process of making sure your psychiatric medication is actually working. That means regular check-ins with your provider, tracking how you feel, adjusting doses when needed, and handling refills without the runaround.
A lot of people get started on medication and then never follow up. Or they follow up with a primary care doctor who does not specialize in psychiatric medications. That is how people end up on the wrong dose, the wrong medication, or dealing with side effects that could have been fixed months ago.
How It Works
After your initial evaluation, follow-up visits are typically 15-30 minutes. We check in on how you are feeling, whether the medication is helping, and if there are any side effects. If something is not working, we adjust. That might mean changing the dose, switching medications, or adding something new.
For stable patients, we typically schedule visits every 1-3 months depending on your needs and medication type. Patients on controlled substances like ADHD stimulants usually need monthly visits.
Common Medications We Manage
We prescribe and manage the full range of psychiatric medications: SSRIs like Zoloft and Lexapro for depression and anxiety. Stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse for ADHD. Mood stabilizers like Lamictal and lithium for bipolar disorder. Buspirone and hydroxyzine for anxiety. SNRIs like Effexor and Cymbalta for depression and pain. And many others.
Insurance and Payment
Follow-up medication management visits are covered by most insurance plans. We accept Blue Cross NC, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and NC Medicaid. Cash pay options are available for uninsured patients.
When to Switch Providers
If your current provider is hard to reach, if you are waiting weeks for refills, if you feel rushed during appointments, or if you have been on the same medication for years without anyone checking whether it still makes sense -- it might be time for a change. We make medication management simple and responsive.