Do you offer in-person appointments?

Empathy Therapy is a 100% telehealth practice; all medication and counseling appointments will occur virtually over one of your audio-video devices. Once you schedule an appointment, you will be provided with a personalized and confidential videoconference link via email with your confirmation.

Do you see patients in multiple states?

Yes. We provide virtual mental health care to clients located in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, and New York. Dr. Chofla is board-certified and licensed to practice medicine in all of these states.

Where are you licensed to provide care?

Dr. Chofla is licensed in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, and New York. If you live in one of these states, you can receive care from Empathy Therapy via telehealth.

Can Dr. Chofla prescribe medication via telehealth, including controlled substances?

Yes. Dr. Chofla is a licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist authorized to prescribe psychiatric medications, including controlled substances, via telehealth in all states where he is licensed: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida. Prescribing is conducted in accordance with current DEA telemedicine regulations and applicable state law.

What kind of care do you provide?

We offer therapy, psychiatric medication management, or both—through a single provider. No need to coordinate between multiple clinicians.

Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

No referral is needed. You can book directly through our website without a doctor’s referral.

Do you have a waitlist?

We have the ability to create a waitlist, but we intentionally design our schedule to avoid needing one. Our goal is to offer flexible appointment times so that when you’re ready, there’s often availability without delay. We don’t like the idea of waiting weeks for care—and most of our clients don’t have to.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans. Many insurance companies offer out-of-network benefits, which could enable you to be reimbursed directly. If you have insurance, please contact your insurance company directly to see if these benefits are part of your plan. After receiving services from Empathy Therapy, you can submit to your insurance company a special receipt called a superbill for reimbursement consideration. All our services are Health Spending Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) eligible. Medications and laboratory tests ordered by the doctor will be fully eligible for insurance utilization.

Can I get a superbill to submit to my insurance?

Yes. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you can download a superbill (an itemized receipt) from your client portal to request reimbursement from your insurance provider.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for my appointments?

Yes. Many clients use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for our services. We provide detailed receipts that qualify under most plans.

What are your rates for therapy and psychiatric care?

Our fees are as follows: initial appointments (75 minutes) are $500, and follow-up appointments (45 minutes) are $350. We aim to keep our rates clear and transparent. We’re happy to provide superbills (itemized medical receipts) to support your insurance reimbursement process upon request.

How do I book an appointment with Dr. Chofla?

Our online booking system makes it very easy to book an appointment online. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can see which time slots are available and book in one or more appointments. Here’s how! (Still, need help? Please call us at (888) 832-9635 and we would be happy to help you.)

Why can’t I book appointments over the phone?

Providing online booking offers enhanced convenience and flexibility for you. Our website allows you to easily schedule appointments, at any hour of the day or night, without the concern of being restricted by business hours or enduring lengthy phone wait times. Furthermore, our website allows you to view available appointment times, empowering you to choose the time that best fits your schedule.

Now that I booked my appointment, how do I join my online appointment?

Do you need help knowing how to join your online appointment for your already booked appointment? This video will help! (Still, need help? Please call us at (888) 832-9635 and we would be happy to help you.)

Can I use my phone to access my telehealth appointments?

While we recognize that phones provide a great deal of flexibility, we strongly recommend for audio-video clarity that everyone use a computer/laptop for telehealth appointments, instead of a smartphone.

What type of Internet browser should I use to access my telehealth appointment with Dr. Chofla?

Our telehealth video platform is compatible with Google Chrome. Please be sure to access your appointments using Google Chrome, which you can download below: Google Chrome

How do you enable pop-ups on the Google Chrome Internet browser?

When using our telehealth system, since windows open up you will need to make sure that your browser has popups enabled. These instructions will step through the process using Google Chrome, the recommended browser.

What time zone is your appointment booking system?

Empathy Therapy operates in California, and all appointments are scheduled in Pacific Time (PST/PDT). If you’re in a different time zone, please update your time zone settings in our booking system after creating an account to ensure your appointments display correctly in your local time.

How do I reschedule or cancel my appointment with Dr. Chofla?

Appointments are in high demand, and your early cancellation or change will allow another patient access to timely medical care. If it is necessary to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we require that you call 888-832-9635 or make the necessary changes on our online appointment system at least 72 hours before your appointment. Our Missed Appointment Policy can also be found on our website for future reference.

Where do I download my superbill (itemized receipt) for insurance reimbursement?

If required for insurance reimbursement, our practice will provide you with a superbill (a specialized receipt). After your session, the superbill will be placed in the Documents section for you to view or download as needed. Access our Appointment System Visit www.empathytherapy.com Click on the “Book an Appointment” button to log in to the appointment system. Use your registered email and password to login. Navigate to the Documents Section Once logged in, locate the Documents or Shared Files section within your account. This is where any files or documents shared by our practice will be stored. View or Download Files Click on the file you want to view or download it for your records.

Are you a Medicare provider?

Dr. Mark Chofla is not a Medicare provider, which means you will not be able to submit any invoices or claims for reimbursement to Medicare for services provided by Dr. Mark Chofla.

How do I find a provider who accepts insurance, including Medicare/Medi-Cal?

Dr. Mark Chofla is an out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance, but one way to locate a provider who does accept insurance, after contacting your insurance plan, is by exploring psychologytoday.com Open the Website: Go to psychologytoday.com using your web browser. Search for a Provider: On the homepage, you’ll see a search bar. Type in a keyword like “psychiatrist” or “therapy” and enter your location (e.g., city, state, or ZIP code). Click the Search button. Access “All Filters”: Once the search results appear, look for a button or link labeled “All Filters” on the page (usually on the left or near the top). Expand the Insurance Options: In the filters section, scroll down to the “Insurance” category. Click “Show More Insurance” to reveal a complete list of insurance providers. Select Your Insurance Provider: Check the box next to the insurance provider you’re looking for (e.g., Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Medicare, or a specific plan).

What do I do in case of an emergency?

If you are having an emergency, please dial 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call/text 988 for the Mental Health Crisis Lifeline on any day or time.

Do you offer forensic psychiatry?

Yes. Dr. Chofla provides forensic psychiatric services to California residents. This includes psychiatric evaluation, written documentation and declarations, and expert testimony for civil, criminal, and family court matters. Full details, including rates and how to book a consultation, are on the forensic psychiatry page

What is executive life coaching?

Executive life coaching provided by Dr. Chofla uniquely combines the expertise of his various training as a psychiatrist and a physician with executive coaching techniques. This approach not only addresses your professional goals and challenges, but also takes into account your physical and mental well-being, providing a comprehensive approach to personal and professional growth. Dr. Chofla’s careful understanding of psychological and medical dynamics enables him to support executives and creatives in overcoming challenges, setting goals, and enhancing professional mental resilience.