FAQs

First, please contact your pharmacy to see if there are any additional prescriptions scripts on file - please do not rely on your pharmacy app.  If the pharmacy does not have additional prescriptions, contact your doctor through their preferred means of communication (For Drs. Dion, Jeffords, Merrels, Lindsey, and McGarity, send  a message in the Simple Practice portal; For Dr. Barron, please email her directly at laurenbarron@laurenbarronmd.com ).

 Our office staff is not able to assist with prescription refills, so please message/email your doctor directly. 

Please include your name, phone number, which medication you need, and which pharmacy you would like it sent to. 

Please note, our doctors do not answer refill requests from pharmacies. Please contact your doctor directly.

Only patients who have been referred and accepted by one of our doctors can be scheduled. Please call our office at 803-708-9591 to schedule your appointments. Appointments cannot be scheduled, cancelled, or rescheduled over email, only by calling our office. 

Please call the office directly at 803-708-9591 to reschedule your appointment.

We require one business day's notice if you need to cancel an appointment. If you do not show for an appointment or are unable to give one business day's notice to cancel your appointment, you will be assessed a $100.00 missed appointment/late cancellation fee.  Please arrived prior to your scheduled appointment time. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, you will be considered a "no show" - you will be assessed a missed appointment fee and have to reschedule your appointment. 

Yes, our doctors are accepting new patients. All of our psychiatrists require a referral to be sent to our office using our referral form; this form can be found under the "Referrals" tab. Once the doctors have reviewed the referral, office staff will reach out to the patient if they are accepted. Referrals can be faxed to (248) 294-1286 or emailed to spero@speropsychiatry.org. 

No. Unfortunately we are not currently accepting new therapy patients.  If you are looking for a therapist, we recommend you speak with your prescriber or visit PsychologyToday.com. 

Yes we are. Dr. Bernard and Dr. Harbin review all new referrals on a case-by-case basis. Please send medical records in order to be considered. 

Our doctors provide telehealth as well as in-person appointments. The initial intake appointment and first follow-up appointment are required to be in person. After that, patients may discuss with their psychiatrist or psychologist using telehealth appointments. 

Yes we do! Each provider is paneled with different insurance companies.

Dr. Barron accepts Aetna, BCBS/Blue Choice, and Cigna.

Dr. Bernard accepts Aetna and BCBS/Blue Choice. 

Dr. Dion accepts Aetna, BCBS/Blue Choice, Cigna, and United Healthcare.

Dr. Harbin accepts Aetna (from Prisma Health, only for therapy patients) and BCBS/Blue Choice.

Dr. Jeffords accepts Aetna, BCBS/Blue Choice, Cigna, and United Healthcare.

Dr. Lindsey accepts iIgna and BCBS/Blue Choice.

Dr. McGarity accepts BCBS/Blue Choice.

Dr. Merrels accepts BCBS/Blue Choice.

Please note, all of our provides accept BCBS and Blue Choice Health insurance, but NOT Blue Choice Medicaid. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a psychiatrist is "a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions. They can prescribe medications and other medical treatments." 

For more information, visit the Cleveland Clinic's website: Psychiatrist: What They Do, Training & When To See One.