What is Medication Management?
Medication management is the systematic, ongoing optimization of psychiatric pharmacotherapy. It includes monitoring therapeutic response, managing side effects, adjusting dosages, and ensuring that your medication regimen continues to align with your clinical needs as they evolve.
Suboptimal medication management is common. Patients remain on ineffective medications for months. Side effects go unaddressed. Dosages are never optimized. Primary care providers -- who handle the majority of psychiatric prescribing nationally -- often lack the bandwidth to provide the level of follow-up psychiatric medication requires.
How It Works
Follow-up visits are 15-30 minutes. We assess treatment response, side effect burden, adherence, and any changes in clinical status. Medication adjustments are made as indicated -- dose changes, medication switches, augmentation strategies, or deprescribing when appropriate.
Visit frequency depends on clinical stability. Most patients are seen every 1-3 months. Patients on Schedule II medications (ADHD stimulants) require monthly follow-up per regulatory and clinical standards.
Medication Classes We Manage
We prescribe across the full pharmacological spectrum: SSRIs (Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac), SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta), stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta), mood stabilizers (Lamictal, lithium), anxiolytics (buspirone, hydroxyzine), and others as clinically indicated.
Insurance and Payment
Follow-up medication management is covered by most insurance. We accept Blue Cross NC, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and NC Medicaid. Cash pay is available.
When to Consider Switching Providers
If your refill process is inefficient. If your appointments lack clinical substance. If your medication has not been reevaluated in over a year. If you feel your current provider is maintaining the status quo rather than optimizing your treatment -- those are valid reasons to seek a more engaged level of care.