wiseMIND Seeks to Improve Mental Healthcare Through a Unique Patient-Centered Approach
By Bruce X. Forey | Photography by David Teran
A local psychiatry practice is embracing a new concept emerging in the healthcare industry. wiseMIND offers an enhanced level of personalized care by going outside of the traditional health insurance model. As the practice does not accept insurance, they are able to avoid the limitations and barriers placed by insurance companies. wiseMIND co-founders, Doctors Ami Chatrath, and Brandi Milmo, believe it empowers them to deliver a better patient experience, in particular, for working professionals to access their mental health services.
“One of our goals with wiseMIND is to have more autonomy on how our practice runs,” said Dr. Milmo. “Dr. Chatrath and I really wanted to provide more robust comprehensive psychiatric care that isn’t limited by today’s kind of insurance world.”
One unique feature for wiseMIND is offering a medication consultation and a talk therapy session during the same visit.
“A lot of our patients are busy people. They’re busy managing families and their careers. They would rather avoid compartmentalized health care where they must make separate appointments to see a therapist and a psychiatrist,” said Dr. Milmo. “With wise mind, they do both at one time, and it makes their life easier.”
The payment at service system also gives wiseMIND more flexibility to offer longer visit times. Patients can see a doctor within days rather than weeks or, in some cases, even months. Chatrath and Milmo also pride themselves on keeping their appointments on time.
“We don’t overbook, which is what happens in the insurance world,” Dr. Chatrath said. “These practices assume some patients aren’t going to show up. This can result in a long wait. Because we never overbooked, our patients see us at their scheduled time, or sometimes they wait only a few minutes.”
wise mind patients can still file an insurance claim to recoup out-of-pocket costs. Every patient receives a ‘superbill’ with rates to submit for potential reimbursement.
The evolution of telemedicine makes medical treatment more accessible to all. However, Chatrath and Milmo feel there’s value in holding face-to-face appointments and encouraging their patients to choose this option when possible.
“Video visits are helpful and super accessible, but sometimes the quality isn’t there,” added Dr. Chatrath. “We find the information collected from patients in person makes a really big difference in determining their underlying conditions.”
The pandemic helped bring heightened attention to mental health. As a result, Chatrath and Milmo see a growing number of patients for matters brought on by the stresses in today’s world. These could be related to family, career, finances, and world events.
“There are concerns that arise from a constant barrage of social media and the ideas presented through those platforms,” Dr. Milmo said. “Sometimes that becomes internalized and creates issues within younger people and adults.”
Two wise minds are better than one. The idea for wiseMIND began at UT Health Science Center – San Antonio, where Doctors Chatrath and Milmo served a four-year residency. Both recognized they shared similar values on a concept of providing psychiatric care more accessible and stress-free for their patients.
“Doctor Milmo asked if I was interested in starting a practice with her, and it’s really worked out well,” said Dr. Chatrath. “We are both very confident in our psychiatry expertise, but on the business side, it’s nice having the two of us navigate that together.”
The pair shares duties on everything from returning client phone calls and emails to posting informative content to their blog and social media.
Chatrath and Milmo are 78209 neighbors who were drawn to the area for its central location, proximity to quality schools, culture, and strong sense of community. Their Breckenridge Park office is close to home and scenic. Dr. Chatrath’s office faces the golf course, and Dr. Milmo’s overlooks the park.
“It’s easily accessible for anyone across town,” stated Dr. Chatrath. “It’s a quirky, brick building but it really does help people feel more comfortable and relaxed. That’s what we’ve prioritized at wiseMIND over anything else.
Dr. Ami Chatrath and Dr. Brandi Milmo are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
