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What is Medical Management service?

Medical management service means that a medical person (doctor, nurse practitioner or RN) will

• evaluate your symptoms
• prescribe medications
• review your medications with you
• evaluate how your medication is working
• make changes when needed
• see you on a regular basis/appointments
• evaluate and review medical history
• help for you when in crisis

 

Who is this for? This service is for children, teenagers and adults.

 

Who are the medical people? The Andrews Center has psychiatrists, nurse practitioner and registered nurses.

 

Do I have to stay overnight? No. Services are provided in an Outpatient setting which means that you come in for your appointment at the Andrews Center and once seen and evaluated you leave.

 

What should I expect when I come to the Andrews Center?

When you first come to the Andrews center you will be seen by a social worker to go over your basic history to determine the need for services. If you meet the criteria for services, you will be scheduled with the doctor or nurse practitioner at the first available appointment time. After you are an established consumer and you come in for medical management, you will be seen by a psychiatrist, or a nurse practitioner or the RN to find out what medications worked best for you, what problems you have had with them in the past and what medications you need to lessen your symptoms. They will also ask you if you have any other medical problems.

 

Should I bring my pills with me?

You will be asked about what other medications you have been on in the past, if you have been hospitalized and what kinds of treatment (medications) you have received in the past. You should write these things down so you will have them with you when you come in. If you have pill bottles you can bring them in with you.

 

How often do I need to see a doctor or nurse?

You will be scheduled for follow up appointments based on what medications you are given and how well they are working for you. Some medications can work right away but it can take several weeks before you will feel better and can see an improvement in your symptoms.

 

Do I need to take a blood test?

You will need to get lab work/blood test prior to your first doctor’s appointment. You will be given a form to take to the lab after it has been determined that you need the services by the social worker. Depending on what medication you are taking or are prescribed you may need to have blood tests done on a regular basis.

 

Why do I need to take blood tests even if I feel ok?

Although you may feel ok there could be a problem that can only be seen in a blood test, so we need to check it on a regular basis. Some of the reasons you will need to have lab work/blood test are to:

• Check that you are not getting too much medication
• Check that you are getting enough medication
• Make sure it is working well with other medications
• Make sure it is not causing stress on certain body organs such as the liver, thyroid and kidneys
• Get a baseline so we can compare your blood test to normal levels to alert us to any other problems

This is called monitoring expected outcome, effects and side effects of your medications.

 

What if my Medication stops working? Or what if my symptoms get worse?

If you are having a problem with your medications or with your symptoms you can call the RN (903-597-1351) or come in to the Tyler Andrews Center to see the RN. You can be seen by the RN the same day. Depending on your problem, you may be seen by the Nurse Practitioner or psychiatrist the same day.

 

Can I just ‘walk in’? When should I come? Who do I ask for?

If you need to be seen you should come to the Andrews Center anytime after 8 am and before 4 pm on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday except when closed for holidays. If you are seeking services for the first time or have been discharged in the past, ask to see a “Screener” or “Intake Staff”. If you are a current consumer, you may ask to see the nurse.

 

What if I run out of my medications before my appointment?

If you run out of medications before your next appointment, you should call and leave a message for one of the nurses to get some medications so you won’t get sick.

 

What if I don’t have insurance or money?

If you don’t have insurance or money you may qualify for financial assistance for your medications from a local, state or federal funding source. Persons with a major mental illness may qualify for financial assistance through contracts and other financial arrangements that exist with local, state or federal funding sources.   Let the Center staff member know if your problem is lack of money or insurance problems.