Open Enrollment 2025

As you review your health plan options for 2025, please note that Psychiatric Alternatives & Wellness Center (PAWC) will be out-of-network with Aetna effective December 1, 2025.

PAWC will continue to participate with the following plans in 2025/ 2026:

  • Alameda Alliance
  • Anthem Blue Cross (CA)
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Carelon Behavioral Health
  • Compsych
  • Cigna (Evernorth)
  • Health Net
  • Health Plan San Mateo
  • Kaiser
  • San Francisco Health Plan
  • Sharp
  • Triwest
  • UnitedHealthcare / Optum
  • VHP
  • Wellfleet

For questions about your coverage or continuity of care options, please contact our Billing Team at billing@psychiatricalternatives.com.

Our Awesome Team

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Sarah Shah, MD

Sarah Shah, MD Adults

Professional Statement

When originally pursuing medicine, she was drawn to internal medicine and began a residency in it, though psychiatry had always captured her interest and intrigue. For Dr. Shah, psychiatry is a field of medicine that is unique in the sense it combines science and art. This was a driving reason to consider pursuing psychiatry. What truly finalized her decision, however, was her own personal experience witnessing the ongoing stigma still present in terms of mental health care treatment. And while there are many reasons she enjoys the field of psychiatric care today, her continued advocacy for promoting the 'destigmatization' of mental health care remains close to her heart. Dr. Shah has a very individualized working style, based on the person or patient she is treating and their needs and style. Working together with the patient, as opposed to the sometimes 'patriarchal' method of medicine, is her prime goal. For example, two patients with the same diagnosis don't necessarily indicate approaching treatment goals in the same manner. She finds this highly collaborative approach leads to better patient treatment outcomes overall.

Education

School: Rawalpindi Medical College, Degree: Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Training

School: Southern Illinois University Medical School, Type: Internship
School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Type: Residency

Insurances Accepted

Aetna
Alameda Alliance
Anthem
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health Strategies
Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc
Cigna
ComPsych
HEALTH NET
KAISER
Magellan
Provider Network of America
SHARP
TRIWEST
United Behavioral Health
VHP
WELLFLEET

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