San Francisco, California
Getting a Psychiatric Evaluation in San Francisco
It's easy to walk into a first psychiatric visit with a self-diagnosis and walk out with it confirmed, because a short visit has no time to test it.
By Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC Updated October 2026
Most new patients are seen within days
- Where
- California telehealth; San Francisco office by appointment
- Self-pay
- $450 evaluation · $150 follow-ups
- Insurance
- We check benefits before the visit
- Who
- Ages 10 and older
What I check
- History
- Medications
- Labs
- Working diagnosis
I'm Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC, MBA; my evaluations run 75 minutes, and I use them the way I used an ICU admission: history, medications and labs first, the working diagnosis after. A self-diagnosis is a starting point, not an answer.
San Francisco evaluation guide
Getting evaluated in San Francisco, whatever your coverage
In San Francisco, the public system's front door is one phone number: the county's Behavioral Health Access Line answers at any hour and can help you enroll in Medi-Cal. San Francisco Health Plan members with mild to moderate symptoms go through the plan instead, and uninsured adults who don't qualify for Medi-Cal may be eligible for Healthy San Francisco. Everything below is public or nonprofit; I checked each one on its own website in October 2026.
- If it can't wait Call or text 988, or the city's crisis line at 628-217-7000, at any hour. Dore Urgent Care at 52 Dore St is open around the clock for help that doesn't need an emergency room.
- If you have Medi-Cal For specialty mental health care, call the county Access Line, 888-246-3333, at any hour. San Francisco Health Plan members with milder symptoms can start outpatient care without a referral.
- If you're uninsured Healthy San Francisco covers uninsured adults who don't qualify for Medi-Cal, including mental health care. Several community clinics below take Medi-Cal, and some see people without insurance or charge on a sliding fee.
- For an evaluation with me 75 minutes, $450 self-pay, by telehealth anywhere in California; limited in-person visits at 220 Montgomery St are by appointment. With insurance, we check your benefits first; a check isn't a guarantee. Bring your medication list and any recent labs. Request an evaluation
San Francisco resources
Checked October 2026 on each organization's own website. Details can change; confirm with them directly.
Medi-Cal, Healthy SF and the public system
- San Francisco Behavioral Health Access Line 888-246-3333
The county's front door for specialty mental health and substance use care: screening, referrals and help enrolling in Medi-Cal. Walk in at 1380 Howard St, weekdays 8 to 7, weekends 9 to 4.
For: San Franciscans with Medi-Cal, a low income or no insurance
- San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) 1-855-371-8117
Members with mild to moderate symptoms can start outpatient mental health care without a referral. Behavioral health line weekdays 8:30 to 5.
For: San Francisco Health Plan Medi-Cal members
- Medi-Cal Health Care Options 1-800-430-4263
Choose or change your Medi-Cal health plan in San Francisco County. Weekdays 8 to 6.
- Healthy San Francisco 415-615-4555
Low-cost ongoing care, including mental health care, for uninsured adults. It isn't insurance. Weekdays 8 to 5.
For: Uninsured San Franciscans 18 and over who don't qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare, with household income up to 500% of the federal poverty level
- 211 Bay Area 211
Free, confidential referrals to local health and social services, any hour. You can also text your ZIP code to 898211.
Community mental health clinics
Ask about fees, insurance and waitlists when you call.
- RAMS Adult and Older Adult Outpatient Clinic 415-668-5955
Therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management in more than 30 languages, at 601 Clement St. Call first.
For: Adults and older adults with Medi-Cal, Medicare or no insurance
- Instituto Familiar de la Raza, La Clínica 415-229-0500
Bilingual outpatient therapy, case management and adult psychiatric medication services at 2919 Mission St. Takes Medi-Cal; there is a waitlist.
For: San Francisco residents, with a focus on Latino and Indigenous families
- Mission Neighborhood Health Center: behavioral health 415-552-3870
Therapy and substance use counseling inside primary care, in English and Spanish, with a sliding fee. 240 Shotwell St.
- HealthRIGHT 360 Integrated Care Center 800-200-7181
Primary care with therapy, psychiatric care and medication treatment for addiction, at 1563 Mission St, including for people without insurance.
- Felton Institute early psychosis programs 415-386-6600
Coordinated care for a first episode of psychosis, high risk of psychosis, or new bipolar disorder with psychosis.
For: San Franciscans 14 to 29 with Medi-Cal
In a crisis
If someone may hurt themselves or someone else, call 911.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988
Call, text or chat any time for free, confidential support, including for alcohol or drug concerns.
- San Francisco crisis line (Department of Public Health) 628-217-7000
Call any hour for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- San Francisco Suicide Prevention 415-781-0500
A 24-hour crisis line answered by trained volunteers. You can also text CRISIS to 415-200-2920.
- Dore Urgent Care 415-553-3100
Urgent mental health or substance use help at 52 Dore St, open 24 hours, for when you don't need an emergency room.
Show 2 more
- Psychiatric Emergency Services, Zuckerberg San Francisco General 628-206-8125
Psychiatric emergency care around the clock at 1001 Potrero Ave.
- Teen Line 800-852-8336
Teens talk with trained teen listeners, 6 to 10 p.m.; text TEEN to 839863, 6 to 9 p.m. At other hours, adult counselors answer.
For: Young people up to 19
Your guess may be right; I still test it.
Written by Canybec Sulayman, PMHNP-BC. Resources checked October 2026.Seeing me for an evaluation
- Where
- California telehealth from anywhere in the state, or a limited in-person visit at 220 Montgomery St Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94104 by appointment.
- Evaluation
- 75 minutes, $450 self-pay.
- Follow-ups
- 30 minutes, $150 self-pay.
- Bring
- Your medication list with doses, past medication trials and why they stopped, recent labs if you have them, and a short account of what changed and when.
- Insurance
- Send your plan with the request and we check benefits before the visit. A benefits check doesn't guarantee coverage or your final cost.
Insurance plans we verify before scheduling
Plans we can check
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- UnitedHealthcare / Optum / Oxford
- Medicare
- Oscar Health
- Providence Health Plan
- Cigna / Evernorth
- Carelon Behavioral Health (California only)
- Curative (Canybec Sulayman, AZ & CA)
Self-pay: Canybec Sulayman $450 initial; Sharon Hernandez $350 initial (California only). Follow-up visits $150.
Network participation varies by clinician, state, and specific plan or product. Our team checks your exact benefits before an evaluation is confirmed. A listed plan does not establish in-network status; benefits verification does not guarantee coverage or your final cost.
Insurance & costQuestions from San Francisco
How much does a psychiatric evaluation cost in San Francisco?
With me, self-pay is $450 for a 75-minute evaluation and $150 for 30-minute follow-ups. With insurance, your cost depends on your plan; we check benefits first, and a check isn't a guarantee. Medi-Cal members can get care through the county or their health plan, and several community clinics take Medi-Cal.
Can I get a psychiatric evaluation in San Francisco without insurance?
Yes. Self-pay is one route. Healthy San Francisco covers uninsured adults who don't qualify for Medi-Cal, and the county Access Line (888-246-3333) can screen you and help you apply for Medi-Cal. Crisis services are open to anyone.
I have Medi-Cal. Who covers my mental health care?
It depends on how severe it is. For specialty mental health and substance use care, call San Francisco's Behavioral Health Access Line, 888-246-3333, at any hour. San Francisco Health Plan members with mild to moderate symptoms can get outpatient care through the plan without a referral at 1-855-371-8117. Members of another plan should call the number on their card.
Where can I get urgent mental health help in San Francisco?
Dore Urgent Care, 52 Dore St, is open 24 hours for urgent mental health or substance use help that doesn't need an emergency room (415-553-3100). Psychiatric Emergency Services at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, 1001 Potrero Ave, is open 24 hours (628-206-8125). For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
San Francisco office
220 Montgomery St Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104
Hours:By appointment
Request an evaluation About the San Francisco officeReady to get started in San Francisco?
Appointment availability varies. Contact us to confirm fit, insurance, and visit format.
Request an evaluation