FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I make an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, call 603-524-1100 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM weekdays and ask to speak to the Intake Department. The Intake Representative will gather a brief history and some information from you, and schedule an appointment with a therapist for an intake assessment. Please note that if you are calling for an adult friend or family member, it is helpful to have the person with you when you call so we may talk to him/her. If the person is hesitant, we are able to offer suggestions on how to encourage him/her to seek treatment.
How long do I have to wait for my appointment? What if I am in crisis?
In the event of an emergency, please call 833-710-6477 for 24/7 access to care
Our ACUTE SERVICES PROGRAM includes our 24/7 Emergency and Mobile Crisis Response Services which are available to anyone living within our service area, including persons who are not current patients. Services are offered in-person, over the phone or via telehealth.
Mobile Crisis Response Teams respond within an hour. Our service area includes all of Belknap county and southern Grafton county.
Emergency services are also available at Concord Hospital – Laconia, Concord Hospital – Franklin and Speare Memorial Hospital.
When scheduling a non-emergent appointment, there may be a waiting period for services depending on clinician availability. Please be assured that we will do our best to schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible.
What towns does the Lakes Region Mental Health Center serve?
We serve the following cities and towns in Belknap and southern Grafton County: Alexandria, Alton, Ashland, Barnstead, Belmont, Bridgewater, Bristol, Campton, Center Harbor, Ellsworth, Gilford, Gilmanton, Groton, Hebron, Holderness, Laconia, Meredith, New Hampton, Plymouth, Rumney, Sanbornton, Thornton, Tilton and Wentworth.
If you do not live in one of these towns, but are in need of mental health services, please click the link below to find the community mental health center serving your region:
How much do services cost?
Lakes Region Mental Health Center accepts most major medical insurances, Medicaid, Medicare, Healthlink and Community Care. Please note that your co-pay is expected at the time of service.
Rates vary based upon the service provided, the length of the appointment and the programs for which you qualify. Our Intake Representative will review this information with you when you call for your appointment, or you may contact one of our Customer Service Representatives at 603-524-1100 for specific questions.
Is there financial assistance available if I don’t have health insurance?
Lakes Region Mental Health Center receives limited funding from Belknap and Grafton Counties to subsidize a portion of the cost of service for people without health insurance. We use Healthlink and Community Care to assess a discounted rate to our patients without health insurance. To qualify for the discount, you must be open and active in the Healthlink or Community Care programs.
If you are not eligible for a discounted rate, we will review your financial situation and work with you to develop a reasonable payment plan.
Can I come to the Lakes Region Mental Health Center and see a psychiatrist for medication only?
We believe in a team-oriented and recovery-based treatment model. For this reason, and due to staffing limitations, our medical staff cannot be your sole provider. We do not offer a “meds only” service, instead offering our psychiatric services in concert with therapy and other services that may be included in your treatment plan. Please be advised that, as with any specialty medical service, there may be a waiting list to see one of our providers.
LRMHC offers consultation services to primary care providers. If your primary care provider would like a consultation or recommendation, he/she may make a referral for a one-time consultation with one of our providers. A fee is assessed for this service. Recommendations will be given to your primary care provider.
Can I call to see how my family member’s treatment is progressing?
We carefully adhere to the strict laws and standards protecting the privacy of our patient’s healthcare information. We are not able to share information about a patient unless he/she has signed a release form authorizing us to speak with a third party about their treatment
How can I enroll in one of the support groups offered by LRMHC?
Our psychotherapy groups are only open to active patients of the Lakes Region Mental Health Center. If you feel you are in need of mental health services, please call 603-524-1100 to schedule an appointment.
On occasion, some of our groups may be made available to individuals referred by the court system. Please call 602-524-1100 for more information.
Can my records be released to another party?
If you sign a release, we are able to release your records directly to you or to a third party of your request. Please note that once your records are released, we no longer have any control over what the individual or agency does with the information they obtain.
Patients or others who provide approved authorization for access to the medical record shall have only 1 copy made available. For additional copies, an administrative fee of 25 cents per page with a minimum charge of $3.00 per request is assessed. Fees must be paid prior to the release of the requested documents.
My therapist and I can’t seem to connect. Can I make a change?
We realize that there is not a connection in every situation. We encourage you to talk openly and honestly with your therapist about your concerns, however, we do honor requests for change whenever possible.
How is the Lakes Region Mental Health Center funded?
The majority of our fee-for-service revenue– 72%– comes from Medicaid; private insurance (3%); Medicare (3%); patient fees (1%); and rental income (1%). Only 3% of our budget comes from State and Federal Funds. Another 5% is composed of service contracts to hospitals, universities, primary care providers, nursing homes and other entities in need of mental health services. The remaining 14% is earned through grants, town and county appropriations, and donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.
Information provided from Fiscal Year 2021 Audited Financials.
CLIENT RIGHTS & LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Anything you share is confidential, it will be shared with other service providers in our agency and the limits of confidentiality do not apply if anything you share may indicate you are a danger or threat to yourself or someone else. This especially applies to children or any disabled person or older adults, because our clinicians are mandated reporters in the state of New Hampshire.