Orange County Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatry

Commonly asked questions:

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They complete medical school and pass the same courses and licensing exams as other physicians. As part of their evaluation of patients, psychiatrists are one of only a few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medications, order and interpret laboratory tests, and may order brain imaging studies such as MRI and CT scans.

Do I still need to see a therapist if I see a psychiatrist?

This will depend on a case to case basis.  Dr. Tang believes therapy is an integral part of your progress. A therapist is a person who can help you recognize behaviors and patterns you have that may not be working for you. A therapist can help guide you through difficult situations and teach you practical coping techniques that match your personality. They are also there to help you gain insight into your situation.  They are very well trained to address your emotional concerns. Dr. Tang highly recommends that his patients consider therapy.

What will the first visit be like?

On your first visit, Dr. Tang will ask about problems you would like to address.  At the end of the visit, he will discuss with you what he thinks is going on. He will discuss the various treatment options. If any medication is recommended, he will explain the risks and benefits.  Dr. Tang provides a comfortable and non-judgmental environment. He will answer ALL of your questions.

How often will I have to return for visits?

Assuming you will be taking medication, the medication should be monitored more closely at the beginning to make sure you are not experiencing uncomfortable side effects.  Most of Dr. Tang's patients return for a visit once every 1 to 3 months if they are doing well on their medication without any problems.

What is a board certified psychiatrist?

According to the American Board of Medical Specialties:  "Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification—and the Gold Star—demonstrate a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice. The Gold Star signals a board certified physician’s commitment and expertise in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting. Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organizations look for the Gold Star as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty."

What about payment information?

Dr. Tang is not a provider of any insurance plans, including Medicare/Medical. He will provide you with a "superbill" which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement consideration. Many of his patients get reimbursed 20-60% of the office visits. Please check with your insurance company to see what their policy is on reimbursement.

The initial 60 minute evaluation is $275. The follow-up medication check is $100. 

Dr. Tang is not a provider of any insurance plans because he believes:

1. They often interfere with patient care issues. 
2. Insurance companies may share your personal psychiatric information with other organizations.
3. They may dictate which medication(s) they are willing to pay for, which may not be the best option for you, but the cheapest option for them.