[yellow_fleurs]

It seems a lot don't and the one I found doesn't. It will probably with okay if I can use out of network benefits, but was hoping to find one that would take insurance (esp since I don't have a job yet). I called the local hospital here where my pdoc recommended, but they are not accepting any clients (not even several months out, just not booking appointments at all). I guess I am going to keep this appointment because he looks like a decent match for me. Just curious how others handle this and if it has impacted your finding a psychiatrist.

[*Beth*]

Yes, she does. I think it's strange for a medical provider not to accept insurance. Maybe I am misunderstanding, but it seems that they want only to work with wealthy clients if they only accept out of pocket payment. I would feel uncomfortable with a provider like that.

[yellow_fleurs]

Yeah I know what you mean. He does accept Medicare I think, but that's the only one. I have heard psychiatrists say there is an issue with accepting insurance and how it impacts care or something, and it may well be the case, but I really liked that my current psychiatrist took insurance and they even opened the clinic to bring accessible care to the community.

[Mountaindewed]

I didn’t know therapists and pdocs don’t take insurance. My clinic doesn’t take Medicaid but they take Medicare and other types of insurance. I find it kinda snooty that they are a really good place but don’t take Medicaid. Like they only want a certain clientele. I know the mental health hospital I’m associated with doesn’t accept kids who are wards of the state. In my opinion that just seems kinda discriminating and they are assuming these kids are dangerous or something.

[Bipolarchic14]

If they want me as a client they do.

[Soupe du jour]

I don't like those that don't. It's not right, in my view.

My long-time psychiatrist accepted Medicare and one or two private ones, but not the one I was using. [I have Medicare, but don't use anything but the free part A. I used Aetna under my husband.] I did get out of network benefits, though, through Aetna. My psychiatrist has been worth it, though, but the copay amounts have been costly.

In Czech Republic I will have public insurance because my husband is a citizen. We will pay about $95 each per month for it, with no co insurances, deductibles, or no or piddly amount of co-pays for medications (total med co-pays will not exceed 500 CZK per year, which equals $24 or 20 €.) Many employees of companies have the monthly cost covered by their employer. Hubby and I will pay the $95/month because we don't (at least yet) have a Czech employer and are/or are considered self-employed. All doctors accept anyone with insurances recognized in Czech Republic. That includes private purchase insurances for Czech coverage bought by foreign expats with no citizen connection, unlike me. Compared to in the US, private insurance costs are extremely low. Even fees for zero insurance are notably low for foreigners. All Czech citizens are covered by public insurance, even those who are jobless and cannot afford a small monthly contribution. Universal coverage.

In Czech Republic, as for therapists, to see a public "fully covered" therapist, you must have a significant psych diagnosis. Bipolar disorder qualifies. Otherwise, they aren't covered by insurance. However, full pay private is still only about the equivalent of $30 per hour. Therapists that are "full coverage public" are always PhD psychologists that will have had more education and other training requirements than many who are private only. Those who see private therapists are usually people with issues like marriage counseling, self esteem issues, or the like. Non major psych.

[MuddyBoots]

Yeah, at the clinic I go to pdocs/pnurses and therapists take most insurances but case managers and functional support specialists only take medicare.

[wolftrap]

My pdoc takes Medicare but no other insurance. She told me how to talk with my secondary insurance about paying for out-of -network docs like her. After a lot of red tape, I now send the bill into my secondaryinsurer and they send me a check for a portion of the amount not covered by Medicare.

[MickeyCheeky]

i was never informed about insurances and such as my parents used to take care of it when i was seeing my pdoc. Have you tried to ask this pdoc why they won't accept any insurance besides Medicare? So Sorry you have to put up with this. i d believe it is your right to ask them. Give it a try! Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @yellow_fleurs, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[~Christina]

My Pdoc and T both take all insurance , its a county mental health clinic. I am very grateful, But many pdocs and T's are going pay out of pocket, they dont want to hire an employee to files claims and deal with all the ones denied Or they can use a billing service but then if they need to appeal a denied claim they would need to get Patient appt info and most Pdoc's or GP's are not wanting our personal health info given to outside billers.

I hope you can get it sorted out and find a good fit

[Guiness187055]

Mine does not take insurance he is $200 for a half hour. For that money though you get 24 hour availability I have called him at 3am in the past and was able to talk with him.

[Crook32]

Mins takes insurance. I once saw an article
than in my state only 14%percent took insurance but I can’t find one but I think the number is higher than that. Finding a good psychiatrist and therapist is difficult.

[helloiamjim]

When I called around trying to find a new psychiatrist, I was surprised at how many don't take insurance. How can anyone afford it? Many of us can't live without medications. I guess the doctor thinks if you're desperate enough you'll cough up the money.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Big hospitals with a psychiatric residency program are cost effective and in my experience take a lot of insurances, medicare, medicaid. The downside is if you are assigned to a resident you may change providers annually. My provider is a staff psychiatrist. I don't know quite how to get one; my doctor brought me over from her former private practice. But I get an hour a month and don't pay very much.