About Desai Health

Who we are

About Desai Health

Desai Health is a physician-led psychiatry and therapy practice serving children, adolescents, and adults across Northeast Florida. Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed therapists who work collaboratively to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care in a supportive, professional setting.

We offer diagnostic evaluations, medication management, and a full range of therapeutic services—including cognitive behavioral therapy, and play therapy. Our approach is thoughtful and individualized, grounded in clinical expertise and a deep respect for each patient’s unique experience.

With locations in Jacksonville and St. Johns, we are committed to making high-quality mental healthcare accessible to the communities we serve, including families and individuals who travel from neighboring regions.

While we care for many patients, our goal is for each one to feel as though they are the only person on our schedule that day. Every visit is designed to be attentive, unhurried, and centered on what matters most to you or a family member.

Desai Health combines the standards of a high-level medical practice with the personalized service of a boutique clinic. We are proud to offer this level of care while remaining accessible through insurance-based models.

Rates and Fees

General Practice Information

At Desai Health, we are committed to providing transparent and fair pricing for our services. Please be aware that fees may vary based on individual provider contracts and are subject to change. While we strive to assist with insurance verifications, approval of claims is ultimately determined by your insurance provider. Should any claims be denied, the patient or guarantor will be responsible for any outstanding balances.

For those without insurance coverage or those opting for self-pay, our current rates are:

Medication Management Evaluation: $250–$300

Standard Follow-Up Visit (30 minutes): $150–$175
Extended Follow-Up Visit (60 minutes): $300–$350
Therapy New Patient Evaluation: $200
60-Minute Therapy Session:​ $150
30 or 45-Minute Therapy Session: $75–$100​

Note: These rates are provided as a guideline and may be adjusted based on specific circumstances.

Insurance

Understanding your mental health benefits is important, as they can differ from your general medical coverage. Insurance acceptance varies by provider; therefore, we recommend contacting our office to verify whether we are in-network with your specific plan before submitting any new patient paperwork.

Currently, we accept the following insurance plans:

Aetna (excluding Aetna Better Health plans)​

All Savers Insurance Co.

Blue Cross Blue Shield / Florida Blue (network participation may vary by provider)

Cigna

Meritain (an Aetna Company)

Oxford Health

Tricare Select (Prime patients require prior authorization from their PCP)

United Healthcare (excluding Medicaid and Dual Complete plans)​

United Medical Resources (UMR)​

Please note: We do not accept any Medicare/Medicaid plans, including those through CMS, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Florida Healthy Kids. If you are uninsured or choose not to use insurance benefits, we can provide a Good Faith Estimate upon request.​

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Appointment Scheduling and Cancellation Policy

We value your time and aim to provide personalized attention during each appointment. To help us maintain this standard:

Arrival:

Please arrive 5–10 minutes early to complete the check-in process.

Appointment Reminders:

While we offer reminder services as a courtesy, it remains your responsibility to keep track of and attend scheduled appointments.

Cancellations:

If you need to cancel an appointment, kindly provide at least 24 hours' notice. For Monday appointments (or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday), cancellations should be made by noon on the preceding Friday to avoid a late cancellation fee.

Late Cancellations and No-Shows:

Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed without notice, may incur a fee equivalent to the self-pay rate for the scheduled service. This fee reflects our commitment to reserving dedicated time for each patient.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. If we can fill your canceled appointment slot with another patient, we may be able to waive the cancellation fee.

Communication and After-Hours Assistance

Your well-being is our priority. For non-urgent matters outside of regular office hours, you may leave a message at our main office number. We strive to respond to all messages within 24 hours.

In case of emergencies, please:

Contact the United Way Crisis Hotline at (904) 632-0600

Dial 9-1-1
Visit your nearest emergency room

Please note: Our office is not equipped to handle psychiatric or medical emergencies. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek immediate assistance through the resources above.

Prescription Refill Policy

To ensure you have uninterrupted access to your medications:

Currently, we accept the following insurance plans:

Processing Time:
Allow up to three business days for refill requests to be processed.
Weekends and Holidays:
Refills are not processed during weekends or holidays. Plan accordingly to avoid interruptions.
Request Procedure:
Submit refill requests directly to our office via phone or email. We do not accept refill requests from pharmacies.
Urgent Requests:
For same-day or next-day refill requests due to missed appointments or lost prescriptions, a fee may apply.

We encourage you to monitor your medication supply and schedule follow-up appointments as needed to manage your prescriptions effectively.

Patient Feedback and Concerns

We are dedicated to providing a positive experience for all our patients. If you have any concerns about our services, staff, or policies, please reach out to your provider or our office manager. Open communication helps us address issues promptly and maintain the high standard of care you deserve.

Your trust is important to us, and we are here to support your journey toward optimal mental health.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Protecting your personal health information is fundamental to our practice. We adhere to strict confidentiality protocols and will not disclose your information without your written consent, except in situations required by law, such as:

Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder
Threats of serious harm to oneself or others
Our commitment to your privacy is unwavering, and we take every measure to ensure your information remains secure.

our skilled team

Meet Our Team of Professional Therapists

CHIRAG DESAI, MD

Board-Certified Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Victor Santos, M.D.

Board-Certified Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist

CHRISTOPHER CALANDRO, APRN

Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Christina Sigmon, PA-C

Psychiatric Physician Assistant

Shannska Scott, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Ann Frecker, LCSW, RPT-S

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Registered Play Therapist

Allison Dyal, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Adria Forte, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Erica Flamm, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Dual Board-Certified Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Lauren McAlister, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Dual Board-Certified Psychiatric and Family Nurse Practitioner

Katherine Reagan, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

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What Our Clients Are Saying

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