For Patients & Providers

New Patient
Information

Everything you need to know before your first appointment — what to expect, how to prepare, insurance, telehealth setup, and what happens next. No surprises.

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2–4 week wait
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Aetna & Cigna
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Telehealth available
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Electronic intake
Quick facts
60–90 minute comprehensive evaluation
Intake paperwork sent electronically in advance
Insurance verified before your visit
In-person (Hilton Head) or telehealth (SC, NY, VA)
Response to new patient requests within 1 business day
📅 Request an appointment → 📞 917-267-9678 ✉ hello@pearlbh.com
Getting Started

Everything you need before
your first appointment

Step 1 — Request an appointment. Submit the online form or call 917-267-9678. Tell us whether you prefer in-person (Hilton Head Island, SC) or telehealth (SC, NY, or VA), and briefly what brings you in.

Step 2 — We confirm within 1 business day. We'll verify your insurance benefits before your visit and let you know your out-of-pocket cost. New patients typically seen within 2–4 weeks.

Step 3 — Complete your intake paperwork. You'll receive a secure electronic packet covering your psychiatric and medical history, current medications, prior diagnoses, and prior treatment history. The more context Dr. Farkas has, the more productive your first session.

Step 4 — Your 60–90 minute evaluation. This is not a rushed intake. Dr. Farkas takes your full history, conducts a structured diagnostic assessment, explains her findings clearly, and develops a treatment plan collaboratively with you.

Step 5 — Follow-up scheduled before you leave. You'll never leave wondering what happens next. A follow-up is scheduled at the end of every appointment.

What to bring
List of all current medications with doses
Prior psychiatric records (helpful but not required)
Prior lab results (thyroid, B12, metabolic)
Insurance card
List of prior diagnoses and treatments tried
Questions you want answered
Request Appointment 📞 917-267-9678 ✉ hello@pearlbh.com
Telehealth Setup

Setting up for a
telehealth appointment

Telehealth appointments are available throughout SC, NY, and VA. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

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Compatible Devices
Any smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone. No special app download required — we use a secure, browser-based platform.
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HIPAA-Compliant Platform
Our telehealth platform is HIPAA-compliant and professional-grade. Not Zoom, not FaceTime — a dedicated medical platform with full security.
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Internet Requirements
A stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection is sufficient. For best quality, use Wi-Fi and sit within range of your router.
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Private Space
You'll need a private, quiet space where you can speak freely. A parked car works well if home privacy is a concern.
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Link Sent Before Appointment
Your appointment link is sent in advance via secure email. Click the link at appointment time — no login required.
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Technical Support
If you have any technical difficulty, call 917-267-9678 and we'll walk you through it or convert to a phone appointment.

Insurance & payment:
what to expect

Dr. Farkas is in-network with Aetna and Cigna. Self-pay patients are welcomed. We verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.

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Aetna & Cigna In-Network
In-network benefits apply — typically a specialist copay or coinsurance after deductible.
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Self-Pay Accepted
Transparent fee schedule. Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement from other insurers.
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Pre-Visit Insurance Verification
We verify your benefits in advance and communicate your estimated cost before your first appointment.

Ready to get started?
Book your evaluation.

New patients currently accepted. Most seen within 2–4 weeks. In-person in Hilton Head or telehealth in SC, NY, VA.

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