[nowIgetit]

I only have a few pdocs that take my insurance here. I tried to get set up with one that my GP referred me to and his answering service and staff were so unresponsive that I ended up canceling my appointment. I didn't feel like wasting 100 bucks (what mental health sessions normally cost me after my crappy insurance pays their tiny amount) going to an appointment where they can't even handle basic new patient intake.

Now I've been calling around to others and the few I have talked to have a wait time of 6-8 weeks for new patients. I'm not in crisis so can wait a few weeks, but is it always like this?! This is the first time I've sought out a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist and had no idea it would be this difficult...I'm not having a great day and am feeling really overwhelmed/stressed by this and wondering if it's even worth going now...is this normal?

[wiretwister]

I was released from a hospital and it still took me over two weeks to get an appt, and the pdoc worked at the hospital

[wildflowerchild25]

I went for intake on Friday last week. My appt is not until may 23rd. I believe the need is jut so great and there aren't enough to take care of it. I know I didn't even want to return to this pdoc but I have no choice. No one else accepts my insurance.

[Victoria'smom]

It takes 6 - 8 weeks usually. I never cancel an appointment because it could take two months to get back in.

[awebb198488]

Originally Posted by nowIgetit

I only have a few pdocs that take my insurance here. I tried to get set up with one that my GP referred me to and his answering service and staff were so unresponsive that I ended up canceling my appointment. I didn't feel like wasting 100 bucks (what mental health sessions normally cost me after my crappy insurance pays their tiny amount) going to an appointment where they can't even handle basic new patient intake.

Now I've been calling around to others and the few I have talked to have a wait time of 6-8 weeks for new patients. I'm not in crisis so can wait a few weeks, but is it always like this?! This is the first time I've sought out a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist and had no idea it would be this difficult...I'm not having a great day and am feeling really overwhelmed/stressed by this and wondering if it's even worth going now...is this normal?

It took me a month to get into mine. My therapist said it best, the ones that take insurance have to see more patients to make as much money as the ones that don't. Hang in there. Have you looked online for a provider list for your insurance? Or maybe find out if any have a payment plan? I know it is frustrating. I sat and cried about it on more than one occasion.

[nowIgetit]

I originally got three referrals from my GP, and only one took my insurance. I called to get an appointment there but a week later, after talking to three different people who promised to get me appt times and intake forms, I still didn't have either. I also saw a lot of bad reviews for him online as far as not having office staff, not being very organized, sometimes forgetting about appointments or showing up very late (like several hours) so I decided to just move on to someone else. I got a list from my insurance company and started researching the different docs and offices. I found one near me that takes my insurance and who specializes in treating bipolar II so I got my intake forms already and sent them in, and I also told them I would take a cancellation if they got one...so hopefully that gets me in sooner.

my therapist recommended a few also but none of them take insurance and all of their intake sessions alone are 300 dollars or more!!! I can't pay that out of pocket.

thanks everyone, part of what happens when I'm feeling crappy is I get a little paranoid that everyone is against me and so just dealing with researching doctors yesterday and not getting the forms I needed from the first doc was overwhelming me. I'm glad to know it's not "just me" that is having this issue and I will just keep my fingers crossed I guess.

[Nightside of Eden]

There are no psychiatrists in this area with less than a 3 month waiting list. I do all my med management through a GP instead.

[tigersassy]

I started my psychiatrist search in december had to find one covered by insurance that would accept new patients. That happened in january sometime I think. And my new patient appointment is scheduled april 21. I'm on the call list if someone cancels which doesn't seem likely. Considering its already march and no one has called.

Tig