FAQ
What is oncopsychology?
Oncopsychology refers to cancer psychology, or mental heath care specifically for cancer. In academic medical settings, this specialization may otherwise be referred to as psychosocial oncology or psycho-oncology. Please visit this article by the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Blog for more information.
What is Oncopsychology Care?
Oncopsychology Care is a specialty CA-based clinical health psychology practice serving individuals impacted by cancer via telehealth, including active or former oncology patients.
What should I expect as a patient?
Dr. Pointer is a compassionate specialist who partners with individuals to address their specific psychological experiences and needs as it relates to cancer. She offers unique expertise at the intersection of cancer and psychological well-being, and views the patient-provider relationship as the cornerstone of her care. Patients may expect comprehensive, evidence-based, and empowering psychological services over telehealth, as well as responsive and reliable communication, a secure patient portal, and transparent billing in concordance with No Surprise Billing.
How long are appointments?
50 minutes.
What is the appointment frequency?
Patients are generally recommended to be seen on a weekly or every two-week basis, although this cadence may vary per patient need and mutual availability.
What is the typical total length of care?
Dr. Pointer partners with patients to collaboratively determine length of care. Course of care may be short-term or long-term, which is intentionally flexible to align with patients’ specific needs and goals for adjustment, coping, and personal growth while negotiating cancer.
How do I schedule?
You may schedule by visiting the Oncopsychology Care profile through Alma, which facilitates scheduling, the patient portal, and billing. Please schedule here.
What is the fee structure?
Please view the fee structure on the Oncopsychology Care profile through Alma.
Do you accept insurance?
Oncopsychology Care will be accepting major insurances, which will be detailed on the Alma profile when available.
What if my insurance is out of network?
Individuals with out-of-network plans will be directed to the out-of-pocket Oncopsychology Care fee structure. Dr. Pointer is happy to provide a superbill for patients to submit to insurance for possible reimbursement of services.
What if I do not have insurance or do not wish to use it?
Patients who do not have insurance or elect not to utilize it will be directed to the out-of-pocket fee structure.
Are patients seen by telehealth or in-person?
At this time, patients are intentionally only seen by telehealth to accommodate and protect immunocompromised individuals and increase access throughout geographic areas.
How do I ask questions?
Please navigate to the contact page to submit non-emergent inquiries. Note that website inquiries and email correspondence are unable to be guaranteed as a secure form of communication. New and established patients will utilize the secure patient portal and electronic medical record (EMR) through Alma, which is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).