Hi everyone!

I started a new job at the hospital in my community. With that I am having to switch my insurance. My new insurance has 3 different levels of coverage; with a level 1 being almost 100% paid for, level 2 around 75%, and lastly level 3 which is around 50%. They also have different deductibles; level 1 being $250 a year, level 2 $1000, and level 3 $5000.

Anyways I am going to have to switch all my doctors and stuff because the current medical group I see is a level 3 provider. I really don't want to pay the crazy high fees and deductibles attached to seeing them. The only level 1 providers in my area is the hospital and their clinics that I work for.

Has anyone ever used doctors that are co-workers. I work in psychiatric services so I work directly with all the doctors in this field. I am just a little nervous as to how much information they are allowed to share. Also can anything done with them affect my career? I really like this hospital and department; and don't want anything to happen. My new insurance doesn't start until next month so I have a few weeks to figure things out.

Thanks in advance to any one who answers!

[glok]

Hello, blwi3310. Does not the hospital and/or psychiatric services department have a policies and procedures manual that addresses your concerns?

[Curiosity77]

I work in psychiatry too, but I would not see any of the psychiatrists I work with as a patient. They are great doctors, but I think it would blur the lines. I want to be seen as a co-worker, not a patient. I see my own doctor separately, and that works well. We have peer support workers on our team, but the rule is you cannot work at a team where you receive services as a patient. This is especially important for confidentiality, because doctors can't share information about one patient with another patient, but they can share info with other staff. It's a little different for me because I am in Canada, so it's free to see a psychiatrist. Hopefully you can find someone affordable.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I use doctors at my hospital but I don't work with them....it can still be weird when you run into them in the hallways etc. While hippa should protect your confidentiality in general it could be very hard for doctors to remember what you told them in confidence vs across the desk...they might say something they aren't supposed to by accident....also sharing within the treatment group is not protected so they can tell anyone on the team as part of your treatment...I would pay more and go elsewhere...

[lilypup]

I would not mix psychiatric care with co-workers, sounds like it could be triggering. I hope you can find docs elsewhere.

[inflammable]

I work in mental health, and that would blur the lines too much for me. I would go for paying more to see providers elsewhere.

[Skitz13]

I also work in psychiatry and would never mix my professional and personal life. I'd be mortified if the people I work with new anything about what I'm going through. Seek services elsewhere if at all possible.

I'm glad that I am not the only one who got a bad vibe from this idea. Thank you for the replies so far everyone!

I did some research using the insurance websites locator. I have my new family doctor and nurse practitioner already picked out. They came with many high recommendations from my coworkers and while they are affiliated with the hospital system they are not actually at the hospital or actively seeing patients there instead they are in one of the clinics in the town I actually live in. (The hospital is the next town over)

As for a new psychiatrist I have some things figured out. So I work on the inpatient unit; if you are a patient here you are assigned 1 of 3 staff psychiatrists. They are Dr. I, Dr. Sh, or Dr. V.

And then we have an outpatient clinic that has Dr. Se, Dr. F, and Dr. C. Those three doctors have no connection to the hospital or any of the inpatient patients. Would seeing one of those doctors be okay? Or do you think it would still be on the line?

I'm really in a rock and a hard place; the next closest doctor covered by insurance is an hour away after that.

I would also like to add that if you go into any of our employee benefits for like EAP or that sort they send you to our outpatient clinic.

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by blwi3310

I'm glad that I am not the only one who got a bad vibe from this idea. Thank you for the replies so far everyone!

I did some research using the insurance websites locator. I have my new family doctor and nurse practitioner already picked out. They came with many high recommendations from my coworkers and while they are affiliated with the hospital system they are not actually at the hospital or actively seeing patients there instead they are in one of the clinics in the town I actually live in. (The hospital is the next town over)

As for a new psychiatrist I have some things figured out. So I work on the inpatient unit; if you are a patient here you are assigned 1 of 3 staff psychiatrists. They are Dr. I, Dr. Sh, or Dr. V.

And then we have an outpatient clinic that has Dr. Se, Dr. F, and Dr. C. Those three doctors have no connection to the hospital or any of the inpatient patients. Would seeing one of those doctors be okay? Or do you think it would still be on the line?

I'm really in a rock and a hard place; the next closest doctor covered by insurance is an hour away after that.

That sounds ok because it's away from where you actually work. Good luck!

[wing]

I worked in a psych hospital, too, and there is no way I'd go to one I know. Hippa or not, people talk. And how could you prove who "leaked" the info if there were repercussions. I think it would be awkward and triggering.