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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

  • A neuropsychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in brain-behavior relationships in the context of function and dysfunction in the brain. They can perform physical examinations, neurobehavioral examinations, make medical diagnoses, order and interpret brain scans, laboratory tests, and neurophysiological tests, prescribe (and de-prescribe) medications, and perform psychotherapy. They do not typically do the extensive neuropsychological testing performed by neuropsychologists.

  • A neuropsychologist is a clinical psychologist (PhD or PsyD) with additional specialist training in brain-behavior relationships. They can perform neurobehavioral examinations, conduct neuropsychological testing, provide cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. They do not typically perform physical examinations, make medical diagnoses, or order and interpret brain scans or lab tests or prescribe (or de-prescribe) medications.

  • Dr. Datta specializes in functional neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive decline, early onset dementia, late onset dementia, psychiatric manifestations of neurological disorders, chronic pain, and complications of trauma including dissociative disorders. He also has extensive experience in psychological medicine including psychopharmacology in medically complex patients and the effects of stress and trauma on physical health.

  • Yes. On a case-by-case basis, depending on availability. Patients seeking neuropsychiatric consultation are the focus of this practice. Some general problems Dr. Datta sees include depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, sexual dysfunction, and compulsive sexual behaviors.

  • Yes. We are accepting referrals for both one time consultations and see a limited number of patients for ongoing care. All episodes of care begin with an initial consultation. Following the initial consultation (which may be over multiple visits), you and Dr. Datta will mutually decide whether it would be appropriate and beneficial to receive ongoing care in this practice. There is no guarantee of ongoing care prior to the completion of the initial consultation. You can use the contact form or call 415-209-5129 to request a consultation.

  • No. Dr. Datta is not contracted with any insurance companies including Medicare. Payment is due before the appointment. Dr. Datta does contract with Lyra Health for certain services so if you have psychiatry/"medication management" benefits through Lyra with your employer or University (e.g. USC), those benefits may cover psychopharmacology consultation and treatment with Dr. Datta.

  • Yes. If you have a PPO plan you can use your out of network benefits to get some reimbursement. You first have to have met your out of network deductible, and then will receive some percentage (typically 40-80%) of the maximum allowed amount the insurance company says they will pay for services. That may be less that the bill. If you have an HMO or EPO plan, you will not have out of network benefits. If you have Medicare, you do not have out of network benefits and must sign a private contract stipulating that you cannot receive reimbursement from Medicare for any services provided.

  • Yes. We accept FSA and HSA cards.

  • A network gap exception is an authorization for your insurance to cover an out of network service as if you were in network. This is typically done if your insurance is not able to provide you with an in-network specialist. As most insurance plans will not be able to provide you with access to neuropsychiatric consultation within an appropriate time frame, you should be able to get this approved to see Dr. Datta. You may have to appeal an initial denial however. We can help file gap exceptions for ongoing care.

  • No. Any recommendations to prescribe or de-prescribe a controlled drug will be made to the referring physician (typically a psychiatrist or neurologist).

  • Yes. Dr. Datta provides psychotherapy for patients with functional neurological disorder, persistent post-concussive syndrome, acquired brain injuries, and those coping with different neurological disorders. Dr. Datta provides individual psychotherapy including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, mentalization based treatment.

  • Yes. Dr. Datta integrates hypnosis into other psychotherapeutic treatment where indicated. He does not offer hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, or habits.

  • 18+

  • Yes. Dr. Datta has extensive experience working with the LGBTQ+ community, has mentored trainees on LGBTQ+ mental health, has published and presented on LGBTQ+ mental health topics, and was formerly Associate Editor of the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health. 

  • Dr. Datta focuses on seeing patients for acute intensive treatment, rather than infrequent check ups. Patients will typically seen multiple times per month or even multiple times per week as determined by medical necessity. Once patients are stabilized, they will be discharged back to their referring physicians.

  • The clinic is in San Francisco opposite Mount Zion Hospital. The address is 2211 Post St, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA, 94115. Parking is available behind the building. Appointments are also available via telemedicine for patients in California who cannot travel to San Francisco or have a preference for video visits.

  • Yes. But you would have to come to California for the appointment. Due to state licensing laws, Dr. Datta cannot see patients via telemedicine when they are outside of California. He can also provide a chart review consultation for patients out of state or international patients.

  • Yes. Consultation and ongoing treatment is available both in person in San Francisco and via telemedicine (using Zoom).

  • Not currently. We hope to provide virtual therapy groups for functional neurological disorders and traumatic brain injury in the future.

  • Yes. Dr. Datta provides one time consultations pro bono in his student led clinic or patients who are willing to be recorded for teaching and training purposes. At this time, only specific referring physicians known to Dr. Datta are able to refer to this clinic.

  • You can find them here.

  • You can find them here.

  • You can find them here.

  • Please use the contact form to request a copy of the fee schedule.

  • You can find it here. There may be additional forms and questionnaires provided for completion as part of the initial consultation.

  • You can find them here.

  • The Open Payments database is a federal tool used to search payments made by drug and device companies to physicians and teaching hospitals. It can be found at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.

    For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

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