How much does it cost to come to the Mental Health Center?
Professional services provided by the Center are paid through client fees, insurance payments, grants from local, state and federal agencies and by the Black Hawk and Grundy County Board of Supervisors. The Center has a sliding fee scale based on county eligibility guidelines, managed care and/or insurance requirements. We do verify income and your fee will be established at the time of your initial appointment. If you are covered by insurance, you need to bring your insurance card and obtain any required authorizations at the time of your initial appointment. If you need help with the authorization process, please let us know. We will file all insurance claims for you. You will be charged the full cost of your service until income documentation and/or required insurance authorization is received. You need to notify us if your income or insurance changes.
Return to the top

Who will I see when I come to the Center?
Your first appointment is usually with one of our licensed social workers or psychologists who will visit with you about the problems you are having. Due to State standards and managed care/insurance company requirements, we have to ask a number of questions that may not seem relevant to the reason you are being seen. These questions involve your medical and family history. Following your initial appointment, the person you see will discuss treatment recommendations and options with you. This may involve individual therapy, a referral to one of our physicians to consider medications, services through our Community Support Program, a referral to other appropriate community services, etc.
Return to the top

How long do appointments last?
Your initial visit will last an hour as will most individual therapy sessions. If you see one of our physicians to consider medication, your initial appointment will last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments with the doctor will last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
Return to the top

Is the information I provide confidential?
Confidentiality of mental health information and privacy of personal information is respected and highly valued by all staff at the Center. The information you provide is confidential and will not be released to others without your permission unless there is an emergency in which there is a danger to you or others. Information may also be released if required by law or for accreditation purposes. Due to the importance of coordinating care with others, we may ask you to sign releases of information that allows us to provide information to your primary care physician, other agencies you may be involved with or other individuals whom you consider important in your life.
Return to the top

What do psychiatrists do?
Psychiatrists are specialists in the area of mental health just as cardiologists specialize in heart related problems. We have two-full time and five part-time psychiatrists as well as a pediatric nurse practitioner who see individuals to consider the use of medication to treat mental health related symptoms. If you decide to consider taking medication, your psychiatrist or nurse practitioner will discuss the benefits and side effects of medication to you and will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your response to the medication. It is extremely important for you to attend these follow-up appointments and notify us if you experience any problems with the medication prescribed.
Return to the top