[Ocean Swimmer]

Stupid insurance industry and for profit hospitals.
So many don't have any psych wards anymore. Even in CA in the cities.
I'd hate to know how bad it is in small cities or sparsely populated states.
Doesn't anyone care about the mentally ill.
When I was in college I even worked for a State Mental Hospital that took care of mentally retarded and autistic.
It was a huge place.
It closed 20 yrs ago. More or less during Regan Administration.
That's when the homeless situation started in our CA cities. And the VA stopped giving good care of Veterans. Sad situation.
What can we as a society do?
My last 2 pdocs turned cash only last few years. Won't accept any insurance anymore.
This is getting bad.

[bioChE]

When I lived in Washington DC, the best psychiatrists were all cash only. Those I got through insurance were the bottom of the barrel.

[Moose72]

*is thankful she has a good Pdoc!*

[Victoria'smom]

I really feel psychologists need courses in meds when getting their degrees so they can prescribe. Psychologists see the patient at least 24 hours a year versus 3 hours /year for pdocs. I think early intervention is the key to keep someone out of the hospital. My whole county has 2 inpatient places for both substance and psych patients with only 18 beds each. I feel bad about going there 2x because I'm not convinced I needed it.

[Moose72]

My friend is a social worker but in a previous life he was a behavioral pharmacologist so he can understand better.

[Ocean Swimmer]

One of the members of our support group is a volunteer at the VA.
His big gripe about the program they run at the VA hospital is you can not get help unless you're homeless. Poor vets and vets who can't afford medication aren't helped.
I never run into a homeless person who doesn't appear mentally impaired. And beggars in wheelchairs. Amputees. It's so sad.

[usehername]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I really feel psychologists need courses in meds when getting their degrees so they can prescribe. Psychologists see the patient at least 24 hours a year versus 3 hours /year for pdocs. I think early intervention is the key to keep someone out of the hospital. My whole county has 2 inpatient places for both substance and psych patients with only 18 beds each. I feel bad about going there 2x because I'm not convinced I needed it.

I agree, but that would require going through medical school.

[usehername]

I'm on Medicaid and pay my psychiatrist cash out of pocket because I couldn't find one that was even remotely helpful that accepted Medicaid. And I work in the field! We rank 50th in the country here, though...

[Ocean Swimmer]

Yes. I go to a cash only Pdoc now too. This guy won't even take credit cards.

[usehername]

Mine takes other forms and insurance, too, but isn't in anyone's network. So most people he sees are paying $135 out of pocket in cash for 15 min med management appointments. But he's good, and he actually listens.

[neverending]

Ocean swimmer - I don't understand what you are talking about about the va. If a veteran falls below a certain income, all their meds and appointments are free. If you are talking about help for housing then yes, a vetern has to be homeless or facing eviction with nowhere to go. The va has mental health clinics. In fact my psychiatrist has worked very hard with me to get me on a med combo that seems to be working. I pay nothing for my va treatment as I don't make enough money on my ssdi. And I have also had more than enough stays in the va psych units when needed. Also in a php program when needed.

[bizi]

my pdoc decided to not take my insurance anymore...strictly cash for all of her patients. I have been with her about 13 years.
she cares but I think it is time for a new doctor.
She only charges $95 for a med check appointment every 4 months if I am stable.
I pretend to be....
bizi

[Ocean Swimmer]

Regarding the VA. I'm just telling you what I heard from other veterans that come to my Dbsa group. The va hospital offers our group the use of a room for the meetings once a week. Lots of veterans attend. Some are losing those disability payments and others are marginal.
I'm at a cash Pdoc for now too. And supposedly we have good insurance. But the pdocs are ganging up on us. They know we need our meds. It's disgusting

[neverending]

My disability payments come from soc sec not the va but I also receive a small pension from the va to bring me up to what they consider to be a minimal amount of money a veteran should be bringing in. One of the restrictions for that pension is that you have to have served during what they refer to as a war time. I m Vietnam era so qualify. Also I m not considered service connected. I know there are bad va clinics scattered across the country. Maybe you are going to one, where your group meets. I have heard nothing here about any established service connected disability payments being reduced.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I'm glad you are getting the payments you need.
The VA hospital is in LB,CA.

[neverending]

I don't know anything about that one. I m sorry it is giving such poor service and that it's not the only one.