Why people switch ADHD providers
We hear the same reasons again and again:
- A telehealth company stopped prescribing or shut down
- A provider retired, moved, or left the practice
- Appointments feel rushed, with no one asking how things are actually going
- Medication isn't working well and nobody is adjusting the plan
- Ongoing pharmacy shortages and no help navigating them
Whatever the reason, switching is common and completely reasonable. The key is doing it in a way that avoids a gap in care.
Step 1: Request your records early
Ask your current or former provider for your records before your first visit with a new one. Helpful items include:
- Your original ADHD evaluation and diagnosis
- Rating scales or testing results
- A medication history, including what worked and what didn't
- Recent visit notes
Under HIPAA you have a right to your records. If a clinic has closed, the notice they sent usually explains how to get them.
Step 2: Understand Arizona prescribing rules
Many ADHD medications are controlled substances. In Arizona, a new prescriber has to complete their own evaluation before taking over prescribing. They will also check the state prescription monitoring program. This is normal and protects you. It also means prescriptions can't simply be transferred over the phone, so plan ahead.
Step 3: Book before you run out
The most common mistake is waiting until the last refill. Book your first visit with a new provider while you still have a few weeks of medication left.
What to expect at your first visit
At PracticeRx, your first visit for transferred ADHD care includes:
- A review of your prior diagnosis and records
- An updated symptom assessment with validated scales
- A conversation about what's working and what isn't
- Screening for sleep, anxiety, mood, and thyroid factors that affect treatment
- A plan to continue, adjust, or rethink treatment
If your records are incomplete, we can do a full adult ADHD evaluation instead.
A chance to get it right
Switching providers is also an opportunity. Many patients find their earlier care stopped at a diagnosis and a prescription. A fresh look at sleep, stress, and overlapping conditions often improves results.
In Scottsdale or online across Arizona
We see adults in person at our Scottsdale office and via telehealth anywhere in Arizona. Commercial insurance is accepted for psychiatry. If you're in the middle of a transition, reach out here and we'll help you keep things on track.
