[paulswife1]

3 MONTHS AGO I FINALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PSYCHIATRIST. THAT WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE. I FINALLY SAW HIM ON AUGUST 9th. AND HE RECCOMENDED THAT I SEE ONE OF THE THERAPIST AT THE OFFICE. AFTER ALMOST 3 WEEKS OF CALLING AND WAITING, THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE A THERAPIST ON STAFF THAT TAKES MY INSURANCE!!!!!!! THEY KNEW WHAT INSURANCE I HAD TO START WITH,(MEDICARE) AND THEY KNEW I HAD ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED AS BIPOLAR. WHERE DO I START NOW? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[Gus1234U]

Dear PW,,, i too am on medicare/medicaid and it's HARD to find a doc who will take half the pay to see a troubled patient. I ended up in a Public Mental Health Clinic,, which can be a poor second to really competent help. BUT ,,, that being said,, at least you will have someone to talk to who may have a few skills. Look online for Public Mental Health Clinic in your zip code, and check to see if there is an Independent Living Center around you, too,, they can be a wonderful source of local information, including good therapists who take Medicare on the occassional basis. Another good resource is NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill,, a group of Family members who are very helpful. I am cheering for you. Post a request on our Spiritual Support board, if that is meaningful to you. Let us know how it goes,, ? come to chat some time ? hope to see you there,,,, Gus

[paulswife1]

thank you for all of your good advice. I would not have thought of all of that on my own right now. I will do those things tomorrow. Thank you again for answering me.