FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:
What is your policy on privacy and confidentiality?
A:

You have the right to decide with whom any medical information is shared. Treatment is private and confidential. The Hopper Group strictly adheres to federal guidelines set by agencies including the federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

For additional insight, view our Notice of Privacy Practices Form ».

Q:
Are your psychiatric services covered by my insurance plan?
A:

The Hopper Group is a part of the Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO networks. If our clinic is not “in-network” with your insurance company, you can call your insurance provider to find out if you are eligible for out-of-network benefits. We offer a self-pay option for patients who do not participate in the accepted insurance plans or prefer not to file a claim with insurance. We are happy to provide patients with a bill, should they opt to file a claim with their own insurance company. The Hopper Group opts out of Medicare and is not a Medicaid provider.

Q:
What can I expect during my first appointment?
A:

We perform a multidimensional evaluation to assess medical and mental health history, current struggles, and significant influences promoting health and illness. The evaluation determines whether The Hopper Group is the best option for helping you achieve mental fitness. A plan for next steps will be developed for those selected for the program.

Q:
Can I get medication on my first visit?
A:

We partner with patients in our program to achieve the best possible outcomes using all treatments at our disposal. Medications are not appropriate for all patients; however, our providers may choose to prescribe medications, following an informed consent discussion of other potential approaches to the patient’s situation.

Q:
How long will I be in treatment?
A:

Measured outcomes will determine the length of your treatment. For individuals with no history of emotional issues, and for those who have modest symptoms, treatment may last several months. For those with recurrent problems, some form of maintenance treatment (medication or psychotherapy) may be in order on an ongoing basis. Length of treatments vary and are dependent upon the partnership between patients and The Hopper Group’s caring psychiatric professionals.

Q:
How long are sessions?
A:

Sessions vary based on the extent of problems and the goals and tasks of each session. Typically, after the initial one-hour evaluation, follow-up visits can be delivered in 20 to 40-minute visit intervals. Exceptions usually exist when conditions are severe and an immediate threat exists, or a patient presentation is emergent.

Q:
How often are visits?
A:

The Hopper Group treats symptoms assertively and frequently until they reach acceptable levels of recovery. Mental fitness, like physical fitness, requires maintenance. Therefore, sessions can reach a frequency of up to three months once recovery is established.

Q:
What is your availability?
A:

The Hopper Group is available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. We have three convenient locations in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Arlington to serve patients across the DFW Metroplex. Patients with urgent care needs can contact our office after hours using our answering service. Patients should call 911 in emergency situations.

Q:
What are your fees / prices?
A:

Our clinic has very competitive rates. We will discuss rates during the intake process.

Q:
What is your cancellation policy?
A:

We understand emergencies happen. To avoid charges, appointments should be canceled or rescheduled 24 business hours prior to the existing appointment. Repeated cancellations or missed appointments will result in a charge.

Q:
How soon can I make an initial appointment?
A:

The Hopper Group believes patients reach out because they need help sooner rather than later. Our initial appointment wait times vary between one and three weeks. For an immediate request for an intake appointment, please complete our contact form.