I apologize for not being more clear about the 90 day rule. I didn't have a past due balance. I had a 0 balance since I have always paid my copays as required. The issue was that they said they considered anybody who has not seen their psychiatrist for over 90 days, they were then categorized as new. Therefore the copay tripled. I had seen this person for over a year. Then it was over six months before I came back.

I can see why someone would think it does not make sense that I was threatened to have security to come by if I didn't leave the office. That means I couldn't wait to see if the psychiatrist could at least speak to me about my financial situation. I then asked how I can contact the psychiatrist. The office manager then said that I can't see her because she believed I was not going to follow any office policy if I didn't follow that one policy. I never said I wouldn't pay it. I made it clear that I would be happy to pay it if I could simply see the new patient policy. I recognize that they have every right to set their policies. I'm sure they have to have some kind of guideline to determine when to consider a patient new again. I can just see a new doctor if I don't agree with their policy. I simply wanted to see it myself and see if it's possible that it can be flexible due to my lack of finances.

Here is what is "missing" or what the office manager decided was enough to threaten security on me. I said I would be willing to pay it but that I though it was unreasonable and excessive. I asked the rationale of being over the 90 day policy besides the fact it increases their profits. Keep in mind this person was condescending, rude, and dismissive about being interrupted in her office. I did "smart off" and ask does that mean if it had been 90 days I would be considered "new". I also dared to try to go "over her head" and speak to her supervisor, which was the psychiatrist. This person insulted me by saying that I was going to see the psychiatrist again because my doctor probably wouldn't prescribe for me any more.

I have worked many years with the general public. From what I've experienced, the way I behaved certainly not close to coming across as irrate, making a scene and certainly not a threat to anybody to deserve being threatened and embarassed. On the other hand, from working with the public, an office manager of all people would be professional and keep her cool. There were many times a customer, etc. would really be irrate. I didn't call security or threaten to, I would actually at least show a bit of empathy and de-escalate things.

As I've said before, this is not the first time I questioned a doctor's policy. The explained it and I would say, OK. If they just said it was policy, I would drop it in most cases. I have never had any trouble with the police or even had a threat to have security remove me. I felt like since I was seen as "mentally ill" that daring to question matters that I must be patronized and have a threat to have security called on me. I have gotten along great with the psychdoc. I had gotten along with well with other mental health workers and their staff as well. The only time I got the impression I was just another object to be called in after waiting forty+ minutes was with psychiatrists. As I said before, I'm sure there are some outstanding psychiatrists out there. I think some of it is part of their training. Part of it is managed care and the fact they get paid about as much as a family physian. Therefore, I feel like I'm walking into a pill mill only to be seen out after briefly saying how the meds are doing (which was the same every time).