FAQ
Questions, answered plainly
The questions families and adults ask most, answered the way I’d answer them on the phone. If yours isn’t here, send it along with your inquiry.
Getting started
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes. I’m currently accepting new patients. The first step is sending the inquiry form on the contact page; fit is confirmed before scheduling, and first appointments are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks.
What ages do you see?
I see children, teens, and adults: ages 6 to 60. Care often starts in one chapter of life and continues into the next, and one advantage of a full-lifespan practice is that the doctor who knows your story stays the same.
Is there an intro call?
The standard path is the inquiry form on the contact page: I review every inquiry myself and confirm fit before anything is scheduled. If you are unsure whether this practice is the right fit, a free 10-minute call with me is available before you decide. It is not a clinical visit, no medical advice is given, and there is nothing to prepare.
What records should I send before the first visit?
Anything that helps tell the story: school reports, prior evaluations or testing, and notes from other clinicians. Once your intake paperwork is in, I read what you send before we ever meet, so your first appointment of 90 to 120 minutes is spent on you, not on catching me up. No records? That’s fine too. We start from wherever you are.
Fees & insurance
Do you take insurance?
No. Attuna is a self-pay, out-of-network practice, not in-network with any insurance plan and not accepting Medicare. Practicing outside insurance networks is what makes unhurried visits and one consistent doctor possible. After each visit you’ll receive a superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA or FSA funds can typically be used. Fees are discussed before scheduling and confirmed in writing before any appointment. Here’s how fees work.
What’s a superbill?
A superbill is an itemized receipt for a medical visit, with the standardized codes insurance companies require. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you can submit superbills to your insurer for possible partial reimbursement. Every plan is different. The member number on your insurance card is the quickest way to find out what yours covers. There’s a plain-English walkthrough on the fees page.
Telehealth & visits
Where do I need to be located for telehealth visits?
Telehealth rules follow the patient’s location, so you need to be physically located in Massachusetts or Rhode Island during telehealth visits. Where in the state doesn’t matter: home, a private room at school or work, anywhere you have privacy and a connection. In-person appointments are in Massachusetts.
Is telehealth right for an autism evaluation?
Sometimes. Much of a comprehensive evaluation works well by video: the detailed developmental history, records review, and a good portion of the direct assessment. Some evaluations also need in-person components, depending on the case and the evaluation process. Evaluation requests are reviewed for fit before scheduling, and I’ll tell you honestly whether a telehealth-based evaluation is clinically appropriate for your situation, and what I’d suggest if it isn’t.
Can a parent or support person join visits?
Yes, as a matter of course. For children and teens, parents are part of the visit and part of the plan. Adults are welcome to bring a partner, parent, or trusted person to any appointment. Anything that would make visits easier for you is asked about on the intake form, so it’s in place before we start.
Do you offer visits in Turkish?
Yes. Visits are offered in English and Turkish, whichever is more comfortable for you or your family.
Scope
Do you see adults?
Yes. Autism and ADHD in adults are core to this practice, not a sideline. That includes adults who were diagnosed years ago, adults asking the question for the first time, and adults whose earlier concerns were dismissed. I also see adults for anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Do you prescribe ADHD medication?
When medication is clinically appropriate, it can be part of the treatment plan: decided together, after a thorough evaluation, and reviewed at an unhurried pace. Prescribing follows all federal and state requirements, and periodic in-person visits may be required.
Is this the right level of care for every situation?
This is an outpatient practice. It is not set up for psychotic disorders, bipolar I, substance use treatment, eating disorders requiring medical monitoring, or urgent safety concerns. Referrals are given when a different level of care is right.
What if I’m in crisis?
Attuna is not an emergency or crisis service, and messages to the practice aren’t monitored urgently. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. If you’re not sure whether it’s an emergency, treat it as one.
Still wondering about something? Email [email protected] and you’ll hear back within 3 business days.
Ready to begin?
Send the inquiry form and you will hear back within 3 business days. Dr. Ozdemir reviews every inquiry herself and confirms fit before anything is scheduled.
Request an appointment