March 18th, 2020

Dear Clients:

We are writing to share our office’s response to recent events and increasing concerns about COVID-19, or Coronavirus. The safety of our clients and staff are our highest priority. We are staying informed about COVID-19 via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and our state and local health agencies. A statewide stay-at-home order has been issued which has changed our daily clinic operations. Our front office staff are working remotely from home. You can email the clinic, or call our normal phone numbers. You may reach our voicemail, but we are monitoring those and you will hear back from someone soon.

Most of our services are continuing on via Telehealth. Mental Health provider offices are exempt from the stay-at-home order, though we are trying to limit the number of in-person sessions in the interest of protecting our staff and clients. You can speak with your provider directly about the specifics of your needs.

Alternatives to Office Visits

All of the insurers we are in-network with have authorized coverage for remote TeleHealth services.

Existing patients and new patients can request this option regardless of your insurance company. We can check your benefits upon request, though it is a good idea for you to verify that Telehealth for behavioral health is covered.  If you are a new patient, contact our office and you can specify whether you’d like to see someone in person or through TeleHealth. Exisiting patients can make this request through their therapist.

We hope that this announcement offers some assurance about your continued services with our office. We will keep monitoring this developing situation closely and will adjust our response if/as needed. You will find updates under the front desk section of our website: https://www.lodestonecenter.com/​announcements/. We encourage you to share any concerns with your provider and/or call our main # 815-344-5061 for more information. Thank you.

Office Cleaning and Sanitation:​ ​We have increased our cleaning and disinfecting standards according to the recommendations of the CDC. We offer hand sanitizer in our treatment and waiting rooms (for as long as it is still available) and have public restrooms available for handwashing. Our providers and staff have been advised to follow the CDC guidelines for sanitary handwashing and hand sanitizing practices throughout the day.

Cancellation Policy: ​Clients who cancel or miss an appointment without 24-hours notice typically incur a fee of $50. We are making extra considerations to waive the fee for illness in response to COVID-19 containment responses and recommendations. If you and/or anyone in your family are showing signs of illness please check with your healthcare provider about the best plan for your session. When in doubt it is best to stay home. For further information, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts.html)​.

Provider Absence: ​All our staff are following the CDC guidelines for containment and self-care, including staying home when sick or when possibly exposed to anyone else who is sick. Our office will provide you with as much notice as is possible about any provider absence(s). In the event of an extended absence, we can arrange for TeleHealth visits with your provider.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and/or your family. Stay well.

~ The LodeStone Leadership Team