New Patients

Dear Prospective Patient,

Thank you for considering Elevate Adult Psychiatry. Below is important information to help you prepare for your care and understand our policies.

Initial Evaluation

All initial evaluations are conducted in person only. If an appointment is not immediately available, you may request to be added to our cancellation list, which may allow you to be seen sooner.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice so we can offer the slot to another patient.

The initial evaluation is a formal interview that typically lasts about one hour. During this visit, we’ll discuss your symptoms, potential causes, treatment options, and, if appropriate, the prognosis. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about medications or other treatment-related concerns.

Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up visits can be scheduled in person or via telemedicine. We use Zoom for virtual appointments and will send you a link before each visit.

Please note:

• Once logged in, stay on the "Dr. Azatian’s waiting room" screen until your provider joins.
• Navigating away from the screen (e.g., answering a call, browsing the web) may cause the system to show you disconnected.
• Always bring a current list of your medications to each visit. This helps ensure safe and effective treatment, particularly when evaluating potential drug interactions.
• A list of previously tried medications, along with their effects or side effects, is extremely helpful.

Insurance s Patient Portal

If you have insurance, we are happy to file claims and check your benefits before your visit. For faster processing, we recommend using our patient portal through AdvanceMD:

• Call our office to request an invitation.
• Create an account.
• Enter your insurance information.

You will receive a notification regarding your coverage. Please note that we cannot guarantee coverage or network participation. Some plans (e.g., Aetna and Cigna) offer multiple options, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly for an estimate of out-of-pocket costs.

Please note: We do not accept insurance for Suboxone treatment or ketamine infusions for the treatment of depression and anxiety. These services are self-pay only.

Emergency and After-Hours Contact

Our phone system includes an auto-attendant, so no calls are missed. If the front desk is unavailable (e.g., on another call, at lunch, or after hours), you may leave a message.

You can also communicate through the patient portal or via email for non-urgent matters.

For emergency situations outside business hours, the auto-attendant will guide you on how to contact your provider or leave an emergency message.

If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency—such as suicidal or homicidal thoughts, psychosis, or severe medication side effects—please seek immediate help at:

• Covenant Medical Center
• University Medical Center Emergency Room

Do not use email or the patient portal for emergencies.

Medications

Please bring a list of your current medications to each appointment. This helps your provider make informed decisions and prevent potential drug interactions.

It's also helpful to have a history of medications you’ve tried, including any side effects.

Side Effects

• Mild side effects (e.g., drowsiness, nausea): These may subside after 1–2 weeks. Continue medication unless advised otherwise.
• Moderate to severe physical side effects: Stop the medication and contact your provider.
• Negative mental effects (e.g., worsening depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts): Stop taking the medication immediately and inform your provider.

Some medications—especially mood stabilizers (e.g., Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal) and antidepressants (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Cymbalta)—should not stop. Always follow your provider’s instructions when tapering off.

General Medication Guidelines

• Take medications as prescribed.
• Do not adjust your dosage without medical approval.
• Avoid combining medications without consulting your doctor.
• Do not mix medications with alcohol.
• Contact the office if you have any medication related questions.
• Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
• Bring all the medications or a detailed list to each visit.

Prescription Refills

To request a refill:

• Contact your pharmacy first. You can use their phone system or online portal.
• If no refills are available, the pharmacy will send a request to our office.

Please do not wait until you run out of medication to begin the refill process.

Lab Results

If lab or diagnostic test results show abnormalities, we will call you promptly. If the results are normal, we will review them at your next meeting.

For genetic testing, you will receive results directly from the testing provider (e.g., GeneSight or Genomind) via email.

We look forward to supporting you in your care. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Elevate Adult Psychiatry

Your first visit to Elevate Adult Psychiatry establishes a vital foundation for our relationship with you. During the first visit, we make sure to obtain important background information, like your medical history, and give you time to get to know your doctor . To understand what to expect for your first visit to our practice, please read through this page. You'll find all the practical information you need, such as a map and directions to our office(s), practice hours , payment policies and more. There's background information about our first visit procedures. You can even save some time at your first visit by printing out and completing the new patient forms in advance of your appointment .

Mission Statement

Our practice is working together to realize a shared vision of uncompromising excellence in medical care.

To fulfill this mission, we are committed to:

• Listening to those we are privileged to serve.
• Earn the trust and respect of patients, profession and community.
• Exceed your expectations.
• Ensure a creative, challenging and compassionate professional environment.
• Strive for continuous improvement at all levels.

What to expect

Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It also will help relieve any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling. Educate yourself on your symptoms by reviewing the content on this Web site. Also, take some time to review our staff page and familarize yourself with the doctors. We look forward to your first visit.