Office Policies

Your appointment time is scheduled only for you; there is no double booking at our office. All appointments need to be confirmed within twenty-four (24) business hours of the time scheduled. If your appointment is not confirmed, it is subject to being canceled.
If you need to cancel an appointment you will need to do it with at least twenty-four (24) business hours’ notice by calling and talking to a staff member or emailing our office. Late cancellation fees are as follows: $100 for Follow up appointments and $200 for New Patient appointments. Late cancellations or No show fees will be automatically applied to the card on file. We require a credit card to be put on file prior to scheduling an appointment. 

Always remember: if you have a potentially life-threatening emergency and need help IMMEDIATELY, CALL 911 or GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM. You can contact us once the situation is stabilized.

Our office is NOT equipped to handle psychiatric or other medical emergencies; thus, we do not suggest coming to our office, if you feel the crisis is extreme.

For general questions or concerns you can call our office during hours listed above and speak to a staff member. Be prepared to give a detailed message to the staff member. They will consult with your physician and will call you back. If you chose to leave a detailed voicemail, please be aware that calls are returned within 24 business hours.

If you call after the office is closed you can leave a message and we will call you back on the next business day. If you have an urgent matter that can’t wait until the next business day, please email information@beachesbehavioral.com to get a call back.

1. If the main reason you are seeking treatment is regarding a legal problem, you should consider finding other options. Dr. Galliano does not provide this service at this time.
2. If you are in the process of getting a disability claim. The only commitment that we can make is to send your lawyer or agency copies of your medical records with a signed release of information from the patient. All disability and FMLA paperwork will be evaluated and may take up to 1- 2 weeks to complete. Dr. Galliano may decline filling out disability paperwork at her discretion.
3. If you have 3 or more systematic illnesses or are above the age of 75, our office will advise you to consider an evaluation with a psychiatrist that specializes in psychosomatic medicine or a geriatric psychiatrist.
4. If you take several controlled substances (such as Xanax or Klonopin), and you are convinced that they are the only medication that will work for you, or if you are not open to consider other options, you should consider finding another office.
5. We do not accept patients that are on Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or candidates for Buprenorphine (Suboxone) that are planning on taking tranquilizers such as Xanax, Klonopin, or Ambien amongst others.
6. We do not accept patients that are on Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or candidates for Buprenorphine (Suboxone) that are currently issued or planning to get a medical marijuana card. The current clinical evidence does not support the use of THC products for patients with history of substance abuse or other mental health disorders.
7. We do not accept patients that want to take Buprenorphine/Naloxone primarily for pain or that have several medical comorbidities.
8. We believe that controlled medications are useful tools to manage some conditions, but our practice minimizes their use and follows the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a core base of knowledge to make decisions about your treatment and medications. If you are prescribed controlled medications, please review our Controlled Medication Policy.
9. If you are an adult that is only concerned about a possibility of ADHD or ADD and have never had a clinical psychological evaluation conducted, our advice is to consider contacting a psychologist to get an evaluation before coming in for a psychiatric evaluation and considering medications. Our office will not prescribe ADHD/ADD medications if you are not currently on them, have not previously had an evaluation, or if our office does not receive a copy of prior evaluations.
10.  We do our best effort to minimize your waiting time but human behavior can be, to a certain
    extent, unpredictable and sometimes there will be delays. We ask that you respond with patience and understanding. It is our goal to start all appointments on time, but be aware there may be a wait, as each individual is different and has different needs.
11. We take most major insurances and most medicare products. Please review our financial policies and understand that appointments that are not canceled within 24 business hours will be subject to a late cancellation fee of $100. No exceptions.
12. We give priority to patients that have in-network insurance providers. For a complete list of insurances we accept, please visit our website www.beachesbehavioral.com or contact our office.

Psychiatric and/or substance abuse treatment typically involves regularly scheduled bi-weekly or monthly appointments. Medication management treatment, when stable, is typically one to three months apart, but may be more frequent when medication changes are being made. The total duration of treatment depends upon your diagnosis, your compliance with treatment, your response to treatment, and other individual variables.

As a part of psychiatric evaluations and treatment, you need to have a minimum of one annual physical examination and blood work at least twice a year. You are responsible to coordinate those appointments. Please sign a release of information in order for your PCP to send us the results.

Medical problems can cause psychiatric symptoms and medications could potentially cause a negative impact on your health. Careful monitoring is extremely important.

You MUST come to your appointments to receive proper care. We cannot treat you or manage your medication by phone. You are responsible for making and keeping your appointments. All patients should make a follow up appointment after their last appointment. If a follow up appointment is not made there is no guarantee an appointment will be available at a later date.

If you miss a scheduled appointment and are otherwise in good standing in this practice, we will reschedule you on a space-available basis AFTER the No Show fee is paid. However, if you have a pattern of missing appointments, or if you do not schedule a follow-up appointment within 120 days, you are considered to have discontinued treatment. We will consider you discharged from this practice. In some cases, you will need to start as a new patient.

Your attendance at appointments is essential to successful treatment. We cannot treat you without seeing you. Therefore, we handle your medications, medication changes and refills at your regular office appointment during normal business hours. We do not accept refills requested by pharmacies and we do not refill any controlled medications without having an appointment. We do not replace lost/stolen controlled prescriptions – NO EXCEPTIONS. In general, Dr. Galliano does not refill medications without a visit.
If in a particular situation, refill of medication or new prescription is ordered by phone you may be charged $25 for the service. Please review our Controlled Medication Policy for further details.

Medical records may be requested and sent if approved. Our fees are compliant with the Florida Statues and are $1 per page up to 25 pages, and $0.25 cents per page thereafter. Patient is responsible for fees not paid by requesting party within 60 days.

Controlled Medication Policy Form

Telepsychiatry is the delivery of psychiatric services using interactive video conferencing that enables a psychiatrist or his associates at a distant location to provide treatment to me. I understand that this consultation will not be the same as direct patient/psychiatrist visit. 

Telepsychiatry will allow me to receive medical care without the need to visit the office and travel long distance.

The interactive electronic systems used in telepsychiatry are known to incorporate network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of information and audio/visual data. 

These protocols include measures to safeguard the data and to aid in protecting against intentional  or unintentional corruption. Our practice currently uses Doxy, a HIPAA compliant telehealth  platform. You can review the security features of Doxy at https://doxy.me/en/patients/. We may use the landline telephone to enhance the audio connection.

During the telepsychiatry consultation

• Details of my medical history, current medications, and results of medical tests  will be discussed.
• Non-medical personnel may be present to assist in operating conferencing equipment, if needed.
• At times students may be present during the session. I will be informed about who is present in the office.

The potential benefits of telepsychiatry:

• Increased accessibility to psychiatric care
• Patient convenience
• The potential risks of telepsychiatry include, but are not limited to:
• There could be some technical problems (video quality, internet connection) that may affect the telepsychiatry session and affect the decision-making capability of the provider.
• The provider may not be able to provide medical treatment using interactive electronic equipment nor provide for or arrange for emergency care that you may require.
• Information transmitted may not be sufficient (e.g., poor resolution) to allow for appropriate medical decision making by the provider
• Delays in medical evaluation and treatment may occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment.
• Security protocols can fail, causing a breach of privacy of my confidential medical information. This risk is small, but it does exist.

Alternatives to the use of telepsychiatry: Traditional face-to-face sessions.

Options for New Patients:

For your appointment(s), please make sure:

• You are a Florida Resident
• You have the proper equipment- video and audio capabilities on a mobile device or computer.
• You are in a quiet, Private location with reliable service.
• If you are driving, please pull over to a safe location for the duration on your session.

I understand that I have the following rights with respect to telepsychiatry:

• I have the right to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting my right to future care or treatment nor risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which I would otherwise be entitled.
• The laws that protect the confidentiality of my medical information also apply to telepsychiatry. As such, I understand that the information disclosed by me during the course of my treatment is generally confidential. However, there are both mandatory and permissive exceptions to confidentiality, including, but not limited to reporting child, elder, and dependent adult abuse; expressed threats of violence towards an ascertainable victim; and where I make my mental or
• emotional state an issue in a legal proceeding.
• I understand that the Doxy technology used by Beaches Behavioral is encrypted to prevent the unauthorized access to my private medical information.
• In addition, I understand that telepsychiatry based services and care may not be as complete as face-to-face services. I also understand that if my psychiatrist believes I would be better served by another form of psychiatric services ( e.g.face-to-face services) I will be referred to a psychiatrist who can provide such services in my area. Finally, I understand that there are potential risks and benefits associated with any form of psychiatry and that despite my
• efforts and the efforts of my psychiatrist, my condition may not be improved, and in some cases may even get worse.
• I understand that the all rules and regulations which apply to the practice of medicine in the state of Florida also apply to telepsychiatry

Patient Responsibilities:

I will not record any telepsychiatry sessions without written consent from my provider. I understand that my provider will not record any of our telepsychiatry sessions without my written consent.

 I will inform my provider if any other person can hear or see any part of our session before the session begins. The provider will inform me if any other person can hear or see any part of our session before the session begins.

 I understand that I, not my provider, am responsible for the configuration of any electronic equipment used on my computer that is used for telepsychiatry. I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure the proper functioning of all electronic equipment before my session begins.

I understand that I must be a resident of the State of Florida to be eligible for telepsychiatry services from Beaches Behavioral. Additionally, I understand that I must be physically in the State of Florida to receive this service.

I understand that my psychiatrist determines whether or not the condition being diagnosed and/or treated is appropriate for a telepsychiatry encounter.

I understand that it is my responsibility to keep my contact information (phone number, email, address) updated to ensure I receive communications regarding my care.

I understand that I may be required to come in person to the office, laboratory, or other facility recommended to monitor:vital signs, laboratory orders, etc. Some patients may still need to come to the office for UDS if it is requested or a part of their treatment plan

Patient Consent to The Use of Telepsychiatry:

I have read and understand the information provided above regarding telepsychiatry, have discussed it with Beaches Behavioral and all of my questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I hereby give my informed consent for the use of telepsychiatry in my medical care and authorize Beaches Behavioral, to use telemedicine in the course of my diagnosisand treatment. If for any reason/s, telepsychiatry will not work for my treatment, my provider will talk to me about my choices. I understand that I will be responsible for any charges not covered by my health insurance

Dr. Alina Galliano-Pardo will deem treatment ineffective and advise a patient to seek treatment elsewhere when a patient’s actions indicate that he or she has disengaged from treatment. Following are some examples of situations warranting termination of treatment:

• The patient misses multiple appointments
• The patient ceases paying for treatment
• The patient is noncompliant with treatment recommendations
• The patient misuses or abuses prescribed medications
• The patient behaves in an abusive, threatening or inappropriate manner toward staff, or other patients
• The patient fails multiple drug screenings (Suboxone or controlled medication patients)