[spoiltmom]

I had a Pdoc that took my insurance. He was really crappy but my copay was only $30.
I changed to a new lady but she is CASH only. My first appt was $250 and follow ups will be between $100-$125. My insurance doesn't cover any of it because she is not a network doctor. So far I've only seen her once but I do like her. She started me on Lamictal and really listened to my concerns without dismissing them. Her plan is to get me off the Lexapro that I'm taking and switch me back to Prozac since Prozac doesn't cause me to have sexual side effects. When I asked my old Pdoc to do that he dismissed it and said sexual problems weren't that important.

Now I have a dilemma. After being on a waiting list for 6 months I finally got a new patient opening with a local Pdoc that takes my insurance. I can see him in 2 weeks and its only a $30 copay.

Should I switch or see him first and see if I like him or just stay where I am at?

We can afford for me to pay cash at my current Pdoc but by the end of the year we may not be able to afford it as easily. Right now I'm paying for it out of our HSA account but at $100-125 a pop that's going to diminish our HSA funds pretty quickly since we also have 3 kids that have medical concerns.

What should I do? What would you do?

[Melmo]

I'd go with the cheaper one

[Clinte89]

I would try out the cheaper one then make a decision. It can't hurt to try them and you don't have to stick with one pdoc if you can afford or don't like them. So I say try it out first.

[catsrhelm]

Depends on what you value. Is your current PDoc a good one? Are you willing to take a chance with a new one? If you are willing to take a chance on a new one, then go with the cheaper option.

Also I wish I had your dilema. I get my health care through a county health system. So sometimes it's forever and a day to get an appointment. However, I only pay $10 to see the PDoc, and $24 for all my medications. I lucked out and got a good PDoc though.

I think you should first try the cheaper one and then compare them. Are you working? If not, how likely is it that you will be able to work again if you go to either one of them? Can you afford to spend your savings, and is it likely that you will get better quicker by spending most of your savings? If you think you can go back to work faster with the expensive one, it might be worth it. If not, be careful with your savings, although it could still be worth it.

[faerie_moon_x]

I would go to the appointment with the cheaper one and see if you like him. That's the best way to make this decision. If he's worth seeing for less money, then you should probably go with him, since you say your kids also have medical concerns.

Some psychiatrists probably don't accept insurance because it means they will get less than they charge for payment from insurers, and the money is important, just as it should be for you. You selected one of the more expensive ones as your specialist.

I agree that it might be good just to meet with the other psychiatrist once, then
decide. Going into your savings isn't good; I agree with you on that one, too.
You need to be in a situation that permits you to have care without draining all
your resources.

Either way, money is part of your family's security, but your health is priceless.

You'll make the right decision, I feel.

[BlueInanna]

I would try the new doc and then choose the doc who seems best. I go to one who doesn't take insurance, she's $160/30 mins, she knows I would like to find one who takes my insurance. But I'd be very disappointed to go to some jerk who only talks to me about meds for 10 mins.

I think it's worth the $30 copayment to at least meet the other pdoc and find out how long his Appointments would be, how is his attitude, knowledge, etc.

[spoiltmom]

Thanks everyone! I know that you sometimes get what you pay for. I think I will meet with the cheaper one and just see what I think.

I haven't worked in years but not because of my illness. I'm a stay at home mom. I have 3 kids and 2 of them have ADHD. The third one will be 3 Monday but so far he seems to be following in their footsteps. We currently spend $30 a month on the kids meds plus my little one has lots of ear problems. I just hate to blow all my HSA funds on a Pdoc unless its my only option.

[Victoria'smom]

Go see the new one and decide later.

[Clinte89]

That sounds like a great decision! I hope it works out for the best.

[shikantaza]

I would research all I could about natural alternative treatments and diet changes and try to avoid the pharmaceuticals and the psychiatrist entirely. I've been psych med free for several years now (after 25 years of daily meds, and believe me I've been on them all). It's much, much easier than you think but you have to make some major life style changes and be committed to getting better.

Good luck!

[~Christina]

See the other Doctor ... It's only 30.00 bucks. Very cheap way to have another Doctor just look over your treatment and see if there is something that other doctors have over looked. You may or may not like him but, you wont know until you go .

What a doctor charges does not dictate whether they are a good Doctor or not. There are just good ones and not so good ones.

Good Luck

[spoiltmom]

Stupid question but, my appt with the new guy is this Friday. I was looking him up online and he is 63 years old. I have no problem with that except if I choose him as my new doc I do wonder how many years I will get from him before he retires. Then again if I get even 2 years out if him by then there maybe more in my area to choose from right?

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by spoiltmom

Stupid question but, my appt with the new guy is this Friday. I was looking him up online and he is 63 years old. I have no problem with that except if I choose him as my new doc I do wonder how many years I will get from him before he retires. Then again if I get even 2 years out if him by then there maybe more in my area to choose from right?

It is OK. Many p-docs practice well into their golden years. And you are right - even if you get 2 years out of him, but like him, it is still good.

You identified a litmus test: the old p-doc who dismissed sexual concerns as unimportant was a jerk and I hope that he will get ED for the rest of his life . You can PM his name to me and I will buy the cutest greeting card and send it his way with my wishes for him to have a very happy life with ED. And a long life, of course... that, too.

Originally Posted by spoiltmom

Her plan is to get me off the Lexapro that I'm taking and switch me back to Prozac since Prozac doesn't cause me to have sexual side effects. When I asked my old Pdoc to do that he dismissed it and said sexual problems weren't that important.

So it is A litmus test - you can check the reaction of the p-doc who will charge you $30 to see if that guy passes your test.

There are a myriad other ways to see if he is a good fit for your needs, but that would be the first thing to check, because you already know what is important to you.