Colorado Direct Psychiatric Care

Colorado Direct Psychiatric CareColorado Direct Psychiatric CareColorado Direct Psychiatric CareColorado Direct Psychiatric Care
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Questions before you start? Call or text (970) 536-5133.

Colorado Direct Psychiatric Care

Colorado Direct Psychiatric CareColorado Direct Psychiatric CareColorado Direct Psychiatric Care
  • Home
  • Services
  • Metabolic Health
  • Costs
  • About
  • Get Started
  • FAQs
  • Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about psychiatric care in Montrose, CO? Here’s what to expect.

Do you accept insurance?
Credentialing is in progress with Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare. Until that is complete, psychiatric care is available at per-visit rates or through membership. Both options are listed on the Costs page.

Are you able to see Medicare or Medicaid patients?
Membership is not available with Medicare or Medicaid. Coverage options are otherwise expanding — reach out and I will tell you exactly where things stand for your plan.

What does it cost if I pay per visit?
Psychiatry is $350 for the initial 60-minute visit and $175 for each follow-up. Forms and paperwork are $50 each, at standard response time. Medications and labs are not included. A typical lab panel runs about $225.

How does membership compare?
Membership is $350 for the same 60-minute initial visit, then $125 per month. That covers psychiatric, hormone and GLP-1 care together, unlimited visits as needed for medication management, text access answered within 24 hours, and paperwork at no extra charge. It suits people who want frequent contact and one predictable monthly cost instead of per-visit billing.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Visits, membership fees, and eligible services may be paid using HSA or FSA funds.

Do you provide a superbill?
Yes. A superbill can be provided on request for visits paid out of pocket, if you would like to submit a claim to your carrier yourself. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your plan.


What does membership include?
Membership is one of two ways to be seen here; the other is paying per visit. It covers psychiatric care, hormone care and GLP-1 management together, rather than billing each of them separately.

Membership includes:

  • A comprehensive 60-minute initial evaluation
  • Unlimited visits as needed for medication management
  • Psychiatric, hormone and GLP-1 care managed together
  • Text access with a response within 24 hours
  • Forms and paperwork at no additional charge
  • Routine clinical documentation and care coordination

Should I choose membership or pay per visit?
Pay per visit if you expect to be seen a few times a year and want to pay only for what you use. Membership makes sense if you want frequent contact, more than one area of care managed together, or one predictable monthly cost instead of per-visit charges. If you are not sure which fits, call or text and I will walk you through it.

What is your cancellation policy?
Appointments require at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellation or rescheduling. Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may result in review of continued care, as this practice maintains a limited panel to ensure access for everyone.

Is there a contract or minimum commitment?
No. Membership is month-to-month and can be cancelled through the patient portal or with a simple email. Paying per visit carries no commitment at all.


What is secure messaging used for?
Secure messaging is intended for brief, non-urgent communication, such as:

  • Clarifying instructions from a recent visit
  • Brief medication questions
  • Reporting mild side effects
  • Scheduling-related questions


What requires a scheduled visit (or additional visit)?
A visit is required for:

  • Medication changes or dose adjustments
  • New or worsening symptoms
  • Medication side effects that affect functioning
  • Requests for controlled medication changes
  • Initiation or adjustment of psychiatric or hormone-related treatment
  • Complex questions requiring clinical assessment
  • Any issue that cannot be addressed safely in brief messaging


If a concern exceeds the scope of messaging, a visit will be recommended to ensure safe and appropriate care.


Do you offer texting?
Yes. Secure texting is available through HIPAA-compliant software for established patients.


Is secure texting monitored 24/7?
No. Secure texting is not monitored continuously and should not be used for urgent or emergency concerns.


Do you prescribe controlled medications, including benzodiazepines?
Yes. Controlled medications, including ADHD medications and benzodiazepines, may be prescribed when clinically appropriate and within standard-of-care guidelines.


How are refills handled?
Refills are managed during scheduled visits or through secure messaging when appropriate and clinically safe.


Do you prescribe GLP-1 medications?

If weight or metabolic health is contributing to your mental health symptoms, and it is clinically appropriate, GLP-1 medications may be considered as part of your overall treatment plan. These decisions are made thoughtfully and in the context of your full medical and psychiatric picture.


What does hormone-informed psychiatric care include?
This optional service integrates hormone evaluation into psychiatric care and may include assessment and management related to:

  • Thyroid conditions
  • Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
  • Hormone-related mood and anxiety symptoms
  • Sexual health medications when indicated


Is this a replacement for gynecology or endocrinology care?
No. This service is designed to complement care provided by gynecology or endocrinology specialists.


Are labs included?
Laboratory testing is offered at discounted cash-pay rates. A typical lab panel runs about $225. Supplements are available at cost.


Is therapy included?
No. This is a medication management–focused psychiatric practice. Therapy referrals can be provided when appropriate.


Is enrollment always open?
No. The practice is intentionally capped. Enrollment closes once capacity is reached to preserve access and continuity.


Colorado Direct Psychiatric Care provides telepsychiatry services and can only treat patients safely when care is appropriate for an online setting. 


Some conditions require in-person care, intensive monitoring, or a higher level of support.


Situations where this practice may not be appropriate include, but are not limited to:

  • Severe mental illness requiring intensive monitoring (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorders)
  • Active or unstable eating disorders
  • Ongoing high risk of harm to self or others
  • Certain personality disorders requiring specialized therapy
  • Significant communication limitations affecting telehealth participation
  • Living situations that do not allow reliable privacy for visits
  • Substance use disorders when addiction is the primary concern

This practice does not provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (e.g., Suboxone) and does not perform disability or forensic evaluations, including child custody assessments.


If you are unsure whether this model is appropriate for you, your enrollment request will be reviewed to ensure a safe and appropriate fit before approval.


Do I have to start hormones if I schedule a visit?
No. An appointment does not mean you’re committing to hormones. Some people just want answers, reassurance, or to understand what’s going on. Treatment is always optional.


What if I’m not sure what’s wrong?
That’s completely okay. Many people don’t know whether their symptoms are hormonal, stress-related, or something else. Part of the visit is sorting that out together.


Do you provide referrals to other specialists as part of care?
Yes. When indicated, I can also provide referrals to trusted sexual health therapists or pelvic floor physical therapists as part of a supportive, team-based approach.


Is this a replacement for my OB-GYN or primary care provider?
No. This care complements—not replaces—routine gynecologic or primary care. Referrals are made when additional evaluation or ongoing specialty care is needed.


Do you provide emergency or crisis care?
No. This practice does not provide emergency services.


What should I do in a crisis?
Call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Colorado Crisis Line at 988.


How is my health information protected?
Your medical records are protected under HIPAA. You receive a full Notice of Privacy Practices with your intake paperwork describing how your information may be used and disclosed, along with your rights — including the right to request restrictions and to obtain copies of your records. Lisa Peterson is the practice privacy officer and can be reached at (970) 536-5133.

What does this website collect?
This site uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use it — pages viewed, approximate location, device type, and referral source. This is standard web analytics, is not connected to your medical record, does not include your name, and is never sold. You can opt out through Google’s browser add-on or your browser’s privacy settings. Booking and payment take place on separate secure platforms, each governed by its own privacy terms.

Is texting or email secure?
Secure texting runs through HIPAA-compliant software. Ordinary email is not encrypted — please do not send clinical details that way.

What is your payment and refund policy?
Payment is due at the time of service unless arranged in advance. Your first visit is confirmed once payment is received; please complete payment at least 24 hours beforehand. Cancellations require 24 hours’ notice, and late cancellations or missed appointments are charged $50. Refunds are issued for cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead.

Where can I find your full terms?
Complete treatment, financial, and privacy agreements are provided with your intake paperwork before your first visit, and you may request a copy at any time.


Book Now

Colorado Direct Psychiatric Care

lisa@coloradodirectpsychiatriccare.com Phone (970) 536-5133 Fax (970) 632-6153

For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room; for immediate mental health crisis support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7).

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