Dr. Tim O’Connor, MD
Psychiatrist
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and make it straightforward to connect with a licensed psychiatrist in North Carolina — without the endless phone calls and insurance runarounds.
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Finding mental health care shouldn’t feel like a second job. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield
insurance and make it straightforward to connect with a licensed psychiatrist in North Carolina — without the endless phone calls and insurance runarounds.
Whatever you’re struggling with, our team of expert psychiatrists and therapists — each with their own areas of specialty — is here to help.
We believe making high-quality mental health care accessible through insurance is vital to the communities we serve, and we’ve built our practice around that commitment. If you’re seeking support for depression, anxiety, ADHD, or anything in between, Advaita Integrated Medicine provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care that works with your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan.
We’ve built a team that attracts passionate, highly trained mental health professionals across every specialty. That means no matter who you see — a psychiatrist, a PMHNP, a PA, or a therapist — you’re getting someone who chose this work because they care, and who has the training to back it up.
We built our team this way on purpose, because mental health is personal, and your needs deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Yes — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is required by law to cover mental health care the same way it covers physical health care. That said, exactly what’s covered will depend on your specific plan.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s typically covered:
Psychiatry & Medication Management: Your first evaluation, medication check-ins, and follow-up appointments are all typically covered by your BCBS plan. Depending on your plan, you may owe a copay or need to meet your deductible first. Either way, seeing an in-network provider like our team will almost always keep your costs as low as possible.
Therapy & Counseling: One-on-one therapy, group therapy, and family counseling are covered by most BCBS plans. How many sessions are covered can vary, but many plans will cover as many sessions as your provider determines you need.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for depression that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood. Most BCBS plans cover TMS when it’s been determined that other treatments like medication haven’t worked well enough. If your provider recommends TMS, we can help verify your coverage before you begin.
Telehealth / Virtual Psychiatry Most BCBS plans in North Carolina cover virtual mental health visits. That means you can meet with your psychiatrist or medication provider from home over video — no commute needed.
Outpatient Programs: If you need more support than a regular weekly appointment, BCBS covers more structured programs when your provider recommends it. Here’s what’s available:
Substance Use PHP (Partial Hospitalization) — The most intensive level of outpatient care we offer for substance use. You come in for structured, full-day programming while still being able to go home each day.
Substance Use IOP — A step down from PHP, this program gives you regular, focused support for addiction and recovery while still allowing you to maintain your daily routine.
Mental Health IOP — The same structured approach as Substance Use IOP, but built around mental health treatment for things like depression, anxiety, trauma, and more.
If you’ve ever tried to find a psychiatrist that accepts your insurance, you already know how frustrating it can be. Here are the most common roadblocks people run into:
There aren’t enough psychiatrists to go around. There’s a real shortage of psychiatrists across the country, and North Carolina is no different. High demand and limited availability means many providers have wait times that stretch from weeks to months — at a time when you need help now.
No available appointments. Even when you find a provider who accepts your insurance, getting an actual appointment can feel impossible. Many psychiatrists have full caseloads and simply aren’t taking anyone new. At AIM, we have multiple providers on staff with open availability — and we can typically get new patients an appointment within a week.
Your mental health benefits can be confusing. Even with insurance, it’s not always clear what’s covered for psychiatric care versus a regular doctor’s visit. The rules can vary a lot depending on your specific plan.
Prior authorizations slow everything down. Some plans require you to get approval before certain services are covered. That extra step takes time and paperwork — which is the last thing you need when you’re already trying to get help.
Here are some simple steps to find an in-network psychiatrist covered by your BCBS plan:
Advaita Integrated Medicine — Raleigh 6112 St. Giles Street, Raleigh, NC 27612 (919) 893-4465 Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Advaita Integrated Medicine — Cary 1350 SE Maynard Road, Suite 201, Cary, NC 27511 (919) 893-4465 Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Advaita Integrated Medicine — Chapel Hill 880 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 893-4338 Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
We make it simple to connect with a Blue Cross Blue Shield in-network psychiatrist in North Carolina.
Choosing the right psychiatrist is a personal decision. Here are the key factors to consider:
Specialties & Areas of Focus Psychiatry is a broad field. Some psychiatrists specialize in mood disorders, others in ADHD, addiction, geriatric psychiatry, or bipolar disorder/. Look for a provider whose expertise aligns with your specific needs and diagnosis.
Approach to Treatment Psychiatrists vary in how they practice. Some focus primarily on medication management, while others integrate therapy or take a more holistic, collaborative approach. Understanding a provider’s philosophy can help you find someone who matches your preferences and goals. Our providers prefer a comprehensive approach that includes approaches that aren’t limited to just medication.
Experience & Training Board certification in psychiatry (from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) is a strong baseline indicator. Beyond that, look at years in practice, residency training programs, and any subspecialty fellowships.
Reviews & Ratings Patient reviews on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, or Psychology Today can offer valuable insight into a provider’s communication style, wait times, and overall patient experience. Look for patterns across reviews rather than weighting any single comment too heavily.
In-Network Status This matters enormously for cost. An out-of-network psychiatrist can cost several times more than an in-network provider. Always confirm current in-network status directly with both the provider’s office and your insurance company before scheduling, as directories can be outdated.
In-Network In-network providers have a contracted agreement with your insurance company — in this case, Blue Cross Blue Shield. This means BCBS has negotiated rates with the provider, and your out-of-pocket costs (copays, coinsurance, deductibles) are significantly lower. AIM is an in-network provider with BCBS.
Out-of-Network Out-of-network providers do not have a contract with BCBS. If you see an out-of-network psychiatrist, BCBS may cover a portion of the cost (depending on your plan), but your share will be substantially higher — and some plans offer no out-of-network mental health benefits at all.
Why it matters for psychiatry: Because psychiatric care often involves multiple appointments over time — for medication management, therapy, or both — the cost difference between in-network and out-of-network care adds up quickly. Choosing an in-network provider like AIM is one of the most effective ways to keep psychiatric care affordable.
The cost of psychiatric care with BCBS depends on several factors:
Your plan type: PPO, HMO, EPO, and Blue Medicare Advantage plans all have different cost structures.
Your deductible: If you haven’t met your annual deductible, you may pay full contracted rates until you do. Once met, your cost-sharing (copay or coinsurance) kicks in.
Copays vs. coinsurance: Some plans charge a flat copay per visit (e.g., $30–$60 for a specialist). Others charge a percentage of the allowed amount (e.g., 20% coinsurance after deductible).
Type of service: An initial psychiatric evaluation typically costs more than a follow-up medication management visit. Therapy sessions are often billed separately.
Typical cost ranges (in-network with BCBS):
Costs vary widely by plan. Advaita Integrated Medicine will provide a benefits estimate before your first appointment so there are no surprises.
Psychiatry is the medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete four years of medical school followed by a four-year residency in psychiatry.
Because they are physicians, psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to:
Psychiatrists may work alongside therapists, primary care physicians, neurologists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive mental health care.
Common psychiatric subspecialties include:
Advaita Integrated Medicine accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and several other major insurance plans. We recommend contacting us directly to verify that your specific plan is accepted before booking your first appointment.
We believe cost should never be a barrier to mental health care. Our team will work with you to understand your benefits and explore options if needed.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Clinical Therapist
At the core of AIM is our dedicated team, focused on fostering an environment where optimal wellbeing is achievable.
Driven by a vision of accessible, compassionate healthcare, our diverse professionals bring unique expertise and insights to enhance our mission. We believe in the power of connection and collaborative care. From clinical experts to supportive staff, every team member contributes to creating a nurturing environment that promotes growth, healing, and comprehensive wellbeing.
Step 1: Fill out the New Patient Form.
Step 2: You’ll be directed to online scheduling.
Step 3: Pick your provider, date, and time
Step 4: Begin your wellness journey!
