[wildflowerchild25]

Does anyone pay out of pocket for pdoc appointments? I'm looking to change pdocs for a few reasons. Mine makes me wait over an hour past my appointment time. Then the receptionists are gone and I can't make a follow up appt. then I call and no one answers for a week, and then they tell me I can't get in for six weeks because I waited too long. Then I have to call my pdoc directly and have her finagle me in, then she overbooks and I have to wait over an hour, then the process starts anew. Plus, she's not very good. I have to make all my own med suggestions. She doesn't remember when I tell her something doesn't work for me so she just makes the same suggestions. Then I have to remind her.

So I'm in the market for a new pdoc. I found a group that looks promising, but they don't take insurance. I'm wondering if anyone else does this. I'm actually drawn to the idea of not having to **** around with insurance companies because I'm going to lose my insurance on June 30 anyway and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get more through the ACA, as I'm not sure the ACA will even still be in place by then (thanks trump). And on the off chance I get a job, my insurance will change anyway, so it would be nice to establish a pdoc that I can keep no matter how my insurance changes.

I'm trying to see if I can fit it into my monthly budget. I'm unsure what my income will be in the fall if I don't have a job. I will be eligible for unemployment so I will be getting something, I just don't know how much. I'm assuming a monthly med management appt would be around $200. I know my current pdoc charges $115 out of pocket but she is a nurse practitioner so I'm assuming a psychiatrist would be more.

So does anyone pay out of pocket for a pdoc? Do you think it's any different than one who accepts insurance? Pros/cons?

[scatterbrained04]

I pay out of pocket for mine. It's about $170 a visit. The initial appointment was like $350. I don't really have any complaints about pdoc. I feel like it's not as rushed. My appointments are about 30 minutes long. I do generally have to wait 20-30 minutes past my appointment time, but that's just because things have come up and he doesn't rush people. Sometimes you can get reimbursed from your insurance, but it will be out-of-network benefits. It just sucks when you get unwell and have to go more frequently. It can get very expensive.

[wildflowerchild25]

I didn't think about getting ill and having to go more frequently. That would be trouble. Although the insurances I've had only cover one appt per month anyway so I've had to pay out of pocket anyway. And I've been stable for over a year and hopefully will continue to be.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Victoria'smom]

Changing treatment providers may interrupt your injection and mine wouldn't pay for it again because of the interuption.

[Naynay99]

When looking around for a new pdoc and not finding any near me that took my insurance, I considered seeing someone out of network. But I couldn't bring myself to do it, as I now pay so much towards my health insur contribution that I take home less $ than I did 5 years ago. So I am gonna use this insurance I am paying for. I also know I wouldn't follow thru on doing the pAperwkrk for insurance reimbusment.

But I would imagine a pdoc who doesn't have to worry about insurance red tape would probably be more available and if ppl are shelling out lots of $ you would assume they must be good. Idk. I think my pdoc fee is ridiculous- like $250 for a 25 min appt. my insurance only will pay like $125 but bc he takes my insurance he has to take thaT amount.

I do wonder if I would be less likely to seek out help or appts bc of the cost, if I were paying out of pocket. Idk. I think it is worth considering if you can financially swing it, but if u don't like them it could get pricey bc usually the first intake appt is $$.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes. Best of luck.

[scatterbrained04]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I didn't think about getting ill and having to go more frequently. That would be trouble. Although the insurances I've had only cover one appt per month anyway so I've had to pay out of pocket anyway. And I've been stable for over a year and hopefully will continue to be.

Thanks for your feedback.

A lot of the times you can get by with seeing a T and not see pdoc more than once a month. Sometimes the pdocs will even lower their fee a bit for you during that time. I have access to pdoc's cell # to call at anytime, so that is nice too. I usually go every 3 months, but have been unwell and going once a month. Overall, I like him. My son sees a pdoc through insurance, and she's not quite as accessible.

[Sunflower123]

I use a pdoc and therapist that used to take my insurance but stopped due to the amount of paperwork involved. My pdoc discounts his $150 rate to $100 for me and I pay it because he is pure gold. Every visit lasts about 45 minutes and he's even called me back when I've been in a crisis while he was on vacation. My therapist is pure gold as well so I pay the $70 for 45 minutes of therapy. My income is about to decrease so I will need to see them both less frequently but I won't change to someone who does take my insurance.

Having said that, you really need to find another pdoc. Your current one is not working out in so many ways it's incredible. I personally admire your patience in dealing with that office. I wouldn't wait for one hour or handle not being able to get ahold of them or any other foolishness they are currently doing. I wish you luck in finding a pdoc that is more respectful of your time and needs.

[5150DirtDiva]

I strongly support Direct Pay. I plan on inquiring with my NP about paying her directly my next visit. Many people I know are doing this. Because the government and insurance are not involved, they are receiving better more affordable care. I have been advocating this for years. It is amazing to see it working!!!

If it catches on hopefully doctors will be able to provide a tiered payment system for people that have lower or no income. People are already donating to funds to help people that cannot afford care. It is a beautiful thing to see humans helping humans voluntarily instead of being forced via violence by the government and being robbed by the insurance companies! (A bad year for them is less than 50%, FIFTY PERCENT, profit. How ethical. -_-)

Not only that, in the case you are experiencing awful customer service, other providers can compete with these guys. If they provide better service the whole industry will be forced to do better. And we deserve that. We pay A LOT of money for minimum and often unsat care. Having a choice and opening the market for providers to have to provide better care or else they go out of business. I love it <3

I cannot resist political stuff, but do not thank Trump for perhaps not having ACA. You can thank Obamacare itself for failing all on it's own. Insurance company after insurance company are bowing out of accepting it, it will soon collapse under it's own weight because it is unsustainable. The R's would do well to not try to pass cancer to replace the cancer we already have, it is eating itself alive as is.

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Does anyone pay out of pocket for pdoc appointments? I'm looking to change pdocs for a few reasons. Mine makes me wait over an hour past my appointment time. Then the receptionists are gone and I can't make a follow up appt. then I call and no one answers for a week, and then they tell me I can't get in for six weeks because I waited too long. Then I have to call my pdoc directly and have her finagle me in, then she overbooks and I have to wait over an hour, then the process starts anew. Plus, she's not very good. I have to make all my own med suggestions. She doesn't remember when I tell her something doesn't work for me so she just makes the same suggestions. Then I have to remind her.

So I'm in the market for a new pdoc. I found a group that looks promising, but they don't take insurance. I'm wondering if anyone else does this. I'm actually drawn to the idea of not having to **** around with insurance companies because I'm going to lose my insurance on June 30 anyway and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get more through the ACA, as I'm not sure the ACA will even still be in place by then (thanks trump). And on the off chance I get a job, my insurance will change anyway, so it would be nice to establish a pdoc that I can keep no matter how my insurance changes.

I'm trying to see if I can fit it into my monthly budget. I'm unsure what my income will be in the fall if I don't have a job. I will be eligible for unemployment so I will be getting something, I just don't know how much. I'm assuming a monthly med management appt would be around $200. I know my current pdoc charges $115 out of pocket but she is a nurse practitioner so I'm assuming a psychiatrist would be more.

So does anyone pay out of pocket for a pdoc? Do you think it's any different than one who accepts insurance? Pros/cons?

[wildflowerchild25]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Changing treatment providers may interrupt your injection and mine wouldn't pay for it again because of the interuption.

I have to change meds anyway my insurance doesn't cover it and my pnurse is out of samples. Plus I def won't be able to afford it with no insurance.

[dchavez]

I have resorted to getting my prescribed medication at cost at a pharmacy.

[jacky8807]

I have thought about doing this too wildflower.
my pdoc is a little off his rocker and also very very busy.
I stay with him because he knows my long history and the insurance factor.

but I always though about a private pdoc. must be a completely different experience!

[Victoria'smom]

If you're paying out of pocket for meds look up sam's club (if you have it in your area) they have a ton of psych meds that are $10 and less.