Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
updated 7/4/21
Which healthcare provider at Nova Wellness Center manages ADD and ADHD?
Lisa Sachdev, D.O. She has been practicing medicine since 1996 and is board certified in Family Medicine. The majority of her practice is ADD/ADHD management. Dr. Sachdev has an interest in ADHD management because she has it, all four of her children have it and both of her parents have it.
Nova Wellness also employs a physician’s assistant, Lauren Sullivan PA-C, follow up visits for established patients may be conducted by Lauren or Dr. Sachdev. Patients who need evaluation for ADHD or desire to transfer management of their medication to our facility will need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for the initial evaluation.
What age patient may be evaluated for ADD or ADHD at Nova Wellness Center?
Dr. Sachdev manages ADD/ADHD for all ages, pediatric through geriatric patients. There is no age limit for consultation or treatment. Patients should be aware that Dr. Sachdev does not contract with Medicare and is not listed on the CMS PECOs list of physicians. Patients over the age of 65 years who have Medicare coverage will not be able to file a claim with Medicare for reimbursement of their office visit fee, they will have to pay out of pocket as all other patients do. Patients should also be aware that any test that Dr. Sachdev orders (lab work, imaging tests, etc) will not be covered by Medicare. Medications prescribed by Dr. Sachdev may also not be covered by Medicare, meaning the patient will have to pay out of pocket for any medications prescribed by Dr. Sachdev. Please contact our office if you have questions about this.
What evaluation(s) is/are required prior to scheduling an appointment for ADD/ADHD evaluation and/or management?
No prior evaluation is required. Any previous evaluation performed by a psychologist, diagnostician, physician or other mental health provider is considered and records will be reviewed if they are available. Dr. Sachdev is able to establish a diagnosis without requiring an outside evaluation by another facility or provider. She may request teachers or family members to provide some information regarding a patient’s symptoms and performance. This will be discussed during the first office visit.
How do I schedule an appointment for an EVALUATION for ADD or ADHD?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for an “ADHD EVALUATION " This is the correct type of appointment for someone who has never been evaluated for ADD whether or not they have been seen by any provider at Nova Wellness Center.
How to I TRANSFER management of ADD or ADHD from another provider or facility to Dr. Sachdev?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for a “ADHD TRANSFER RX MGMT TO NWC". Be sure to bring your previous medical records, pharmacy history, and medication information with you to your first appointment if you have access to this information. If you have a bottle of previously prescribed medication please bring that with you to your appointment. If you are unable to provide ANY documentation that you have been previously diagnosed with and/or treated for ADD or ADHD you may be charged for an INITIAL EVALUATION which takes longer, and may result in an additional charge.
What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment for ADD/ADHD evaluation and or treatment?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com go to the toolbar and select the drop down tab labeled “Policies, fees and forms”. On the top of that page you will find office forms available for download. Download an ADHD PACKET and complete it prior to your first appointment. There is a packet for patients younger than 18 yrs old and also for patients 18 yrs or older, be sure you select the correct packet. Bring your packet with you to your visit. If you are a new patient to Nova Wellness Center or have not been seen by Dr. Sachdev within the past three years download and complete the NEW PATIENT REGISTRATION FORMS and bring these with you to your first visit. Bring your driver’s license or photo ID and health insurance card (if applicable) to your first visit. Bring any medical records, prescription bottles, academic records, employment records, etc. that you believe are pertinent to your diagnosis or care with you to your visit (these will be scanned and returned to you).
What insurance plans does Nova Wellness Center and/or Dr. Sachdev accept?
NONE. Dr. Sachdev and Lauren Sullivan do not contract with ANY health insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. All services provided at Nova Wellness Center are offered on a private pay basis meaning that patients must pay directly for their care. An invoice and receipt can be provided at the end of any visit upon request.
How often are follow up visits required for ADD or ADHD management?
Patients must follow up at LEAST once every six months to manage prescriptions for controlled substances such as stimulants or amphetamines for ADD or ADHD management of shift work disorder.
Other controlled substances such as narcotics (ie- Norco, Percocet) and sedatives (ie- Xanax, Valium) typically require an office visit once every three months, depending on the situation. If your healthcare provider is monitoring your response to treatment or needs to review test results with you a follow up visit within one month may be required. If you are not certain when your follow up visit is due please contact our office.
How do I schedule a follow up appointment?
Select the drop down tab titled "schedule an appointment" on the toolbar of our website www.NovaWellnessCenter.com. Patients are responsible for scheduling the correct visit type and paying the correct amount when scheduling their appointment. If our staff determines that an error was made patients may owe an additional amount that will be collected before the patient is seen for their appointment.
What happens if I need a refill on medication but I am not able to follow up in the office within the required time frame?
If you are unable to come for your follow up visit by the time it is due you may contact our office manager to request a ONE TIME 30 day extension. Patients must have a valid reason for not following up in the office by the instructed due date. If your provider approves the 30 day extension a $20 administrative fee is assessed to process the Rx request. Patients MAY NOT request more than one 30 day extension. After receiving one extension your provider is likely to deny additional refills until the patient has been seen in the office. Patients who attempt to abuse this policy may be terminated from care.
How are prescriptions for controlled substance medications (narcotics, stimulants, appetite suppressants, sedatives) provided?
As of January 2021 prescriptions for controlled substance medications must be submitted electronically to your pharmacy. Prescriptions written on paper are no longer allowed. Per state law CII Rx(s) can NOT be faxed or sent via phone to a pharmacy. Prescriptions for schedule CII controlled Rx(s) also can NOT be refilled. State law requires a new Rx to be transmitted to your pharmacy every time you need your medication refilled.
Is it possible to obtain a 90 day supply of medication or 90 day's worth of prescriptions for controlled substances?
Yes it is. Texas state law allows physicians to authorize a maximum of 90 days’ worth of medication at one time. Ask your pharmacist if this is an option for you.
How do I obtain my next prescription if it is not yet time for my follow up visit?
Contact our office AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU RUN OUT OF MEDICATION to request your next prescription. Do NOT wait until you have run out of medication before requesting additional medication. Patients are responsible for notifying our staff when they need their medication refilled. Do NOT assume that your pharmacist or pharmacy app will manage this for you. The pharmacy apps do not communicate with our office, please send your request directly to us using our SPRUCE secure messaging software. (Go to the bottom of our home page to download SPRUCE to your smartphone).
How should I contact the office when I need my next prescription?
Patients my contact our office via any means that is convenient for them (phone, email, text message, secure message) as long as the request comes DIRECTLY from the patient to our clinic. Patients should NOT request a refill from pharmacy staff or a pharmacy app on their phone. We will NOT respond to a request submitted by a pharmacy, as most of the requests are done so in error. The most convenient way for most patients to request their next prescription is via a secure message sent using our Spruce secure messaging app. To download this app scroll to the bottom of our homepage and click on the button that says "send us a secure message". Then follow the instructions on the app. Remember- do NOT use an app provided by your pharmacy, it needs to be OUR app or we will not respond to your request.
How long does it take for my prescription request to be processed?
Please allow 2-3 business days for our office to process your prescription request. If you do not receive communication from our office within 3 BUSINESS days of submitting your request please contact us again to confirm that we received your original request. If you need your prescription processed more quickly than 3 business days please discuss this with our office manager. Any requests sent after 3 PM, or when our office is closed, will not be reviewed until the following business day. Once your prescription has been approved and sent by our office to your pharmacy allow 1-2 business days for the pharmacy staff to fill your Rx. If your pharmacy does not have enough medication in stock to fill your Rx they may need time to order additional medication from their suppliers. To avoid running out of medication patients should set a reminder to themselves to contact our office ONE WEEK BEFORE they are out of medication.
How will I know that my prescription request was approved and submitted by the doctor?
You will receive a secure message or text message as soon as our office receives confirmation that your pharmacy’s computer has received your prescription. Dr. Sachdev typically sends Rxs in during the evenings after work. Confirmation messages may be sent to patients as late as 11 PM. Please DO NOT message our office staff more frequently than every 3 days to request updates on your Rx as this only slows the process down.
How will I know that my pharmacy has filled my prescription after my doctor sends it?
The text message sent from our office does NOT mean that your pharmacy has filled your prescription, only that it was received by their computer. Patients typically need to allow at least 2 hours for their pharmacy to process an eRx once they have received it. Please contact your pharmacy directly to confirm that your medication is ready to pick up.
How long do I have to fill my prescription(s) before they expire?
Prescriptions filled in Texas for non-controlled substances are valid for one year from the written date, and may only be refilled within this time frame. Prescriptions for schedule III-V controlled substances are valid for six months from the written date and may be refilled up to five times. (Examples of CIII-V medications include steroids like testosterone and sedatives like Valium or Xanax.) Schedule CII controlled substance medications such as amphetamines (ex- Adderall, Vyvanse) or narcotics (ex-Norco, Percocet) expire 21 days from the EARLIEST FILL DATE (EFD) indicated on the prescription. Pharmacies typically will hold your medication for a few days once they have filled it, if they do not hear from you they assume you do not intend to pick up your medication and will restock it on their shelves.
Can I request written prescriptions instead of electronic prescriptions?
Unfortunately no you cannot. Texas law now requires that CII controlled substance prescriptions be submitted electronically from the doctor's office to the pharmacy. Pharmacies will no longer accept written CII prescriptions.
Can I request transfer of my prescription from my regular pharmacy to an alternate pharmacy once it's been sent?
Yes you may. We recommend that you contact us directly with this request instead of relying on pharmacy staff to do so.
What should I do if my pharmacist is unable to fill my prescription because they need more information from the physician?
Please contact us directly to relay this information. Pharmacy staff may get busy and forget to relay the message to our office, or they may contact the wrong doctor's office. Our office manager is happy to call your pharmacy when necessary. Do not assume that we received this information unless you communicated with us directly.
What does it mean if my pharmacy says that my prescription requires a "prior authorization"?
This means that your medication is more expensive and your insurance provider requires additional information from your physician to determine whether they will approve and pay for your medication. Please contact our office DIRECTLY as soon as you are informed that your prescription requires a PA. Our office manager will then communicate with your pharmacist to provide the information requested. We do assess a $20 administrative fee to process a PA request, our manager will send you an invoice via email that must be paid before she can begin processing your PA request.
How should I store and transport my medication after I receive it from the pharmacy?
Controlled substance medication MUST be kept only in the package or bottle labeled by the pharmacy. It is illegal to carry, store or transport controlled substances in any container, device, or on their person other than the container that was provided by the pharmacy. Patients may request more than one bottle or labeled package from their pharmacist if they intend to divide their medication for storage, transport or use. Keep your medication in a secure place to prevent theft or misuse. Do not keep your medication container anywhere that you would not leave a $100 bill!. Dr. Sachdev recommends obtaining a medication safe store your medication in, these may be obtained from Amazon for approximately $50.
How should I travel with prescription medication?
Controlled substance medication MUST be kept only in the package or bottle labeled by the pharmacy. It is illegal to carry, store or transport controlled substances in any container, device, or on their person other than the container that was provided by the pharmacy. Patients may request more than one bottle or labeled package from their pharmacist if they intend to divide their medication for storage, transport or use. Patients should NOT transport their medication to countries outside of the United States without reviewing the applicable laws pertaining to controlled substance transport and/or possession for the location they intend to travel to.
When traveling within the United States via airplane patients should keep their medication in their purse, briefcase or carry-on bag. They should NOT place it in any luggage that will be checked in or stowed at the airport. When traveling via motor vehicle patients should keep their medication secure from theft.
What should I do if my medication is lost, damaged or stolen?
Contact our office to report any lost, damaged or stolen medications or prescriptions. Stolen medication can only be replaced if a police report is filed. Patients need to provide our office with a copy of the police report before a replacement prescription can be provided.
Which healthcare provider at Nova Wellness Center manages ADD and ADHD?
Lisa Sachdev, D.O. She has been practicing medicine since 1996 and is board certified in Family Medicine. The majority of her practice is ADD/ADHD management. Dr. Sachdev has an interest in ADHD management because she has it, all four of her children have it and both of her parents have it.
Nova Wellness also employs a physician’s assistant, Lauren Sullivan PA-C, follow up visits for established patients may be conducted by Lauren or Dr. Sachdev. Patients who need evaluation for ADHD or desire to transfer management of their medication to our facility will need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for the initial evaluation.
What age patient may be evaluated for ADD or ADHD at Nova Wellness Center?
Dr. Sachdev manages ADD/ADHD for all ages, pediatric through geriatric patients. There is no age limit for consultation or treatment. Patients should be aware that Dr. Sachdev does not contract with Medicare and is not listed on the CMS PECOs list of physicians. Patients over the age of 65 years who have Medicare coverage will not be able to file a claim with Medicare for reimbursement of their office visit fee, they will have to pay out of pocket as all other patients do. Patients should also be aware that any test that Dr. Sachdev orders (lab work, imaging tests, etc) will not be covered by Medicare. Medications prescribed by Dr. Sachdev may also not be covered by Medicare, meaning the patient will have to pay out of pocket for any medications prescribed by Dr. Sachdev. Please contact our office if you have questions about this.
What evaluation(s) is/are required prior to scheduling an appointment for ADD/ADHD evaluation and/or management?
No prior evaluation is required. Any previous evaluation performed by a psychologist, diagnostician, physician or other mental health provider is considered and records will be reviewed if they are available. Dr. Sachdev is able to establish a diagnosis without requiring an outside evaluation by another facility or provider. She may request teachers or family members to provide some information regarding a patient’s symptoms and performance. This will be discussed during the first office visit.
How do I schedule an appointment for an EVALUATION for ADD or ADHD?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for an “ADHD EVALUATION " This is the correct type of appointment for someone who has never been evaluated for ADD whether or not they have been seen by any provider at Nova Wellness Center.
How to I TRANSFER management of ADD or ADHD from another provider or facility to Dr. Sachdev?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachdev for a “ADHD TRANSFER RX MGMT TO NWC". Be sure to bring your previous medical records, pharmacy history, and medication information with you to your first appointment if you have access to this information. If you have a bottle of previously prescribed medication please bring that with you to your appointment. If you are unable to provide ANY documentation that you have been previously diagnosed with and/or treated for ADD or ADHD you may be charged for an INITIAL EVALUATION which takes longer, and may result in an additional charge.
What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment for ADD/ADHD evaluation and or treatment?
On our website: www.NovaWellnessCenter.com go to the toolbar and select the drop down tab labeled “Policies, fees and forms”. On the top of that page you will find office forms available for download. Download an ADHD PACKET and complete it prior to your first appointment. There is a packet for patients younger than 18 yrs old and also for patients 18 yrs or older, be sure you select the correct packet. Bring your packet with you to your visit. If you are a new patient to Nova Wellness Center or have not been seen by Dr. Sachdev within the past three years download and complete the NEW PATIENT REGISTRATION FORMS and bring these with you to your first visit. Bring your driver’s license or photo ID and health insurance card (if applicable) to your first visit. Bring any medical records, prescription bottles, academic records, employment records, etc. that you believe are pertinent to your diagnosis or care with you to your visit (these will be scanned and returned to you).
What insurance plans does Nova Wellness Center and/or Dr. Sachdev accept?
NONE. Dr. Sachdev and Lauren Sullivan do not contract with ANY health insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. All services provided at Nova Wellness Center are offered on a private pay basis meaning that patients must pay directly for their care. An invoice and receipt can be provided at the end of any visit upon request.
How often are follow up visits required for ADD or ADHD management?
Patients must follow up at LEAST once every six months to manage prescriptions for controlled substances such as stimulants or amphetamines for ADD or ADHD management of shift work disorder.
Other controlled substances such as narcotics (ie- Norco, Percocet) and sedatives (ie- Xanax, Valium) typically require an office visit once every three months, depending on the situation. If your healthcare provider is monitoring your response to treatment or needs to review test results with you a follow up visit within one month may be required. If you are not certain when your follow up visit is due please contact our office.
How do I schedule a follow up appointment?
Select the drop down tab titled "schedule an appointment" on the toolbar of our website www.NovaWellnessCenter.com. Patients are responsible for scheduling the correct visit type and paying the correct amount when scheduling their appointment. If our staff determines that an error was made patients may owe an additional amount that will be collected before the patient is seen for their appointment.
What happens if I need a refill on medication but I am not able to follow up in the office within the required time frame?
If you are unable to come for your follow up visit by the time it is due you may contact our office manager to request a ONE TIME 30 day extension. Patients must have a valid reason for not following up in the office by the instructed due date. If your provider approves the 30 day extension a $20 administrative fee is assessed to process the Rx request. Patients MAY NOT request more than one 30 day extension. After receiving one extension your provider is likely to deny additional refills until the patient has been seen in the office. Patients who attempt to abuse this policy may be terminated from care.
How are prescriptions for controlled substance medications (narcotics, stimulants, appetite suppressants, sedatives) provided?
As of January 2021 prescriptions for controlled substance medications must be submitted electronically to your pharmacy. Prescriptions written on paper are no longer allowed. Per state law CII Rx(s) can NOT be faxed or sent via phone to a pharmacy. Prescriptions for schedule CII controlled Rx(s) also can NOT be refilled. State law requires a new Rx to be transmitted to your pharmacy every time you need your medication refilled.
Is it possible to obtain a 90 day supply of medication or 90 day's worth of prescriptions for controlled substances?
Yes it is. Texas state law allows physicians to authorize a maximum of 90 days’ worth of medication at one time. Ask your pharmacist if this is an option for you.
How do I obtain my next prescription if it is not yet time for my follow up visit?
Contact our office AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU RUN OUT OF MEDICATION to request your next prescription. Do NOT wait until you have run out of medication before requesting additional medication. Patients are responsible for notifying our staff when they need their medication refilled. Do NOT assume that your pharmacist or pharmacy app will manage this for you. The pharmacy apps do not communicate with our office, please send your request directly to us using our SPRUCE secure messaging software. (Go to the bottom of our home page to download SPRUCE to your smartphone).
How should I contact the office when I need my next prescription?
Patients my contact our office via any means that is convenient for them (phone, email, text message, secure message) as long as the request comes DIRECTLY from the patient to our clinic. Patients should NOT request a refill from pharmacy staff or a pharmacy app on their phone. We will NOT respond to a request submitted by a pharmacy, as most of the requests are done so in error. The most convenient way for most patients to request their next prescription is via a secure message sent using our Spruce secure messaging app. To download this app scroll to the bottom of our homepage and click on the button that says "send us a secure message". Then follow the instructions on the app. Remember- do NOT use an app provided by your pharmacy, it needs to be OUR app or we will not respond to your request.
How long does it take for my prescription request to be processed?
Please allow 2-3 business days for our office to process your prescription request. If you do not receive communication from our office within 3 BUSINESS days of submitting your request please contact us again to confirm that we received your original request. If you need your prescription processed more quickly than 3 business days please discuss this with our office manager. Any requests sent after 3 PM, or when our office is closed, will not be reviewed until the following business day. Once your prescription has been approved and sent by our office to your pharmacy allow 1-2 business days for the pharmacy staff to fill your Rx. If your pharmacy does not have enough medication in stock to fill your Rx they may need time to order additional medication from their suppliers. To avoid running out of medication patients should set a reminder to themselves to contact our office ONE WEEK BEFORE they are out of medication.
How will I know that my prescription request was approved and submitted by the doctor?
You will receive a secure message or text message as soon as our office receives confirmation that your pharmacy’s computer has received your prescription. Dr. Sachdev typically sends Rxs in during the evenings after work. Confirmation messages may be sent to patients as late as 11 PM. Please DO NOT message our office staff more frequently than every 3 days to request updates on your Rx as this only slows the process down.
How will I know that my pharmacy has filled my prescription after my doctor sends it?
The text message sent from our office does NOT mean that your pharmacy has filled your prescription, only that it was received by their computer. Patients typically need to allow at least 2 hours for their pharmacy to process an eRx once they have received it. Please contact your pharmacy directly to confirm that your medication is ready to pick up.
How long do I have to fill my prescription(s) before they expire?
Prescriptions filled in Texas for non-controlled substances are valid for one year from the written date, and may only be refilled within this time frame. Prescriptions for schedule III-V controlled substances are valid for six months from the written date and may be refilled up to five times. (Examples of CIII-V medications include steroids like testosterone and sedatives like Valium or Xanax.) Schedule CII controlled substance medications such as amphetamines (ex- Adderall, Vyvanse) or narcotics (ex-Norco, Percocet) expire 21 days from the EARLIEST FILL DATE (EFD) indicated on the prescription. Pharmacies typically will hold your medication for a few days once they have filled it, if they do not hear from you they assume you do not intend to pick up your medication and will restock it on their shelves.
Can I request written prescriptions instead of electronic prescriptions?
Unfortunately no you cannot. Texas law now requires that CII controlled substance prescriptions be submitted electronically from the doctor's office to the pharmacy. Pharmacies will no longer accept written CII prescriptions.
Can I request transfer of my prescription from my regular pharmacy to an alternate pharmacy once it's been sent?
Yes you may. We recommend that you contact us directly with this request instead of relying on pharmacy staff to do so.
What should I do if my pharmacist is unable to fill my prescription because they need more information from the physician?
Please contact us directly to relay this information. Pharmacy staff may get busy and forget to relay the message to our office, or they may contact the wrong doctor's office. Our office manager is happy to call your pharmacy when necessary. Do not assume that we received this information unless you communicated with us directly.
What does it mean if my pharmacy says that my prescription requires a "prior authorization"?
This means that your medication is more expensive and your insurance provider requires additional information from your physician to determine whether they will approve and pay for your medication. Please contact our office DIRECTLY as soon as you are informed that your prescription requires a PA. Our office manager will then communicate with your pharmacist to provide the information requested. We do assess a $20 administrative fee to process a PA request, our manager will send you an invoice via email that must be paid before she can begin processing your PA request.
How should I store and transport my medication after I receive it from the pharmacy?
Controlled substance medication MUST be kept only in the package or bottle labeled by the pharmacy. It is illegal to carry, store or transport controlled substances in any container, device, or on their person other than the container that was provided by the pharmacy. Patients may request more than one bottle or labeled package from their pharmacist if they intend to divide their medication for storage, transport or use. Keep your medication in a secure place to prevent theft or misuse. Do not keep your medication container anywhere that you would not leave a $100 bill!. Dr. Sachdev recommends obtaining a medication safe store your medication in, these may be obtained from Amazon for approximately $50.
How should I travel with prescription medication?
Controlled substance medication MUST be kept only in the package or bottle labeled by the pharmacy. It is illegal to carry, store or transport controlled substances in any container, device, or on their person other than the container that was provided by the pharmacy. Patients may request more than one bottle or labeled package from their pharmacist if they intend to divide their medication for storage, transport or use. Patients should NOT transport their medication to countries outside of the United States without reviewing the applicable laws pertaining to controlled substance transport and/or possession for the location they intend to travel to.
When traveling within the United States via airplane patients should keep their medication in their purse, briefcase or carry-on bag. They should NOT place it in any luggage that will be checked in or stowed at the airport. When traveling via motor vehicle patients should keep their medication secure from theft.
What should I do if my medication is lost, damaged or stolen?
Contact our office to report any lost, damaged or stolen medications or prescriptions. Stolen medication can only be replaced if a police report is filed. Patients need to provide our office with a copy of the police report before a replacement prescription can be provided.