[kim1975]

These days, just to see a therapist to talk for an hour costs almost $200. A psychiatrist who prescribes the meds cost much more. It is a ripoff for people who need mental health care but who cannot get help or insurance coverage for it are most definately SCREWED. The system needs to change because it costs a whole lot more than going to a regular doctor for an exam. Mental healthcare officials charge so much that if you do have insurance, especially like Medicare and the like, then the state pays an extremely big amount per year on just one person. Think of how much one mental health clinic can get in one year from the state, like Medicare and the like, for people who need help.

I have quit on 2 counselors here before, they push too hard and then I crash again and start from the beginning all over again. It's free to come here and talk get advice, and speak with others that understand what I am going through. Shouldn't mental healthcare be more affordable for the Medicare, Medicaid, and Insurance companies to pay for? They are the ones being ripped off. And those who can't afford insurance, and do not qualify for help from somewhere else to pay for the mental healthcare they need, are absolutely in the dark. The people who say they really want to help you should not charge an arm and a leg to get you the help that you need.

[Hellion]

The entire health care system in this country is pretty screwed up..and I agree the system needs to change. That said there are some places that offer cheaper services, but that is not always good quality service.

Also though I kind of disagree with insurance companies being ripped off, seems like insurance much of the time rips people off. As for medicaid and medicare, I do kind of wonder if expanding it will help or if it will just make it less able to cover peoples medical expenses.

I personally like the idea of Universal Healthcare, though that could have its flaws to.

[badmouse]

You know what I'd like - to pay for therapists ONLY if they actually help. I've been to so many useless docs over the years and I think I should get a refund if I attempt suicide again.

[pinkbutterfly]

It is frustrating and crazy how much it costs to get decent help. and how much it costs to get incompetent help.

[Nobodyandnothing]

Do remember that pdocs and therapists have years of required efucation and training. That costs time and money. They deserve to be appropriately paid. When I see insurance statements that show how much was billed vs. the reimbursement made to the provider, they really don't make that much an hour especially considering all the overhead.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Nobodyandnothing

Do remember that pdocs and therapists have years of required efucation and training. That costs time and money. They deserve to be appropriately paid. When I see insurance statements that show how much was billed vs. the reimbursement made to the provider, they really don't make that much an hour especially considering all the overhead.

Even so its a problem when many people cannot afford even basic mental health treatment and medical treatment in general. Insurance companies are I think part of the problem. Why should you have to go through a middle man that is a profit based corporation that doesn't even care about your wellbeing in order to pay for healthcare?

200 seems high for a therapist. The most I paid was 180 and she was a phd psychoanalyst with a long career. I didn't get what I paid for usually it's about 115-120 for MSW with ~10 years experience and additional training. Think it should be less if they have only 5 years.

My pa is 120. No insurance. I see her every 2-3 months.

If insurance companies didn't exist 80-100 +- is still a fair rate for advance degree training.

Also, premiums are different depending on which area you live in. There are a bunch of factors including new ones. There have been recent articles about this.

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[Jan1212]

My husband was calling places for a week we had to ask if his insurance was covered, they said they are not taking new patients. When he didn't mention insurance, he got an appointment that day. Our insurance is $10 copay and it seems they don't like going through insurance, or was that a coincident

Originally Posted by Jan1212

My husband was calling places for a week we had to ask if his insurance was covered, they said they are not taking new patients. When he didn't mention insurance, he got an appointment that day. Our insurance is $10 copay and it seems they don't like going through insurance, or was that a coincident

It was probably a coincidence. If they don't take insurance they will just tell you and you have to submit the form yourself out of network. I have been finding more and more doctors that won't take insurance because it means they can spend more time with their patients and less on paperwork. I don't blame them really.

[Yoda]

When my gyn doc retired I had a difficult time finding one that would accept medicare. Medicare reimbursement is really low compared to private insurance.

We've been trying to find a pdoc for my uninsured son and it is difficult to find one we can afford.

[justbeingme80]

Originally Posted by kim1975

Mental healthcare officials charge so much that if you do have insurance, especially like Medicare and the like, then the state pays an extremely big amount per year on just one person. Think of how much one mental health clinic can get in one year from the state, like Medicare and the like, for people who need help.

I'm having a foggy kind of day, so correct me if I misinterpreted what you wrote here. Those who do take insurance, do not get paid what they ask for. Medicare providers get paid a paltry amount for the services they provide, even less than private insurances pay. And the mental health clinics do not get a lot of money, most of them are underfunded by the state. States provide very little money for mental health services, so these clinics are not making a fortune.

I live in a state which is at the bottom of the list for mental health funding. They're spending more money on building new prisons than providing services for the mentally ill. In fact, a lot of people in prisons are mentally ill, but have no state hospital or state run services to go to. Here there's a waiting list for clinics.

I agree something needs to change. More and more doctors are not taking insurance anymore. They spend a lot of money to go into medical school and they have a lot of loans. In addition, insurances are being very picky about reimbursements for services and are covering less. They don't get the $200 they are asking for. They're lucky if they get half that.

Shouldn't mental healthcare be more affordable for the Medicare, Medicaid, and Insurance companies to pay for? They are the ones being ripped off. And those who can't afford insurance, and do not qualify for help from somewhere else to pay for the mental healthcare they need, are absolutely in the dark. The people who say they really want to help you should not charge an arm and a leg to get you the help that you need.

That's very true and something that needs to be changed. That's why you'll find a lot of people with mental illnesses in prisons instead. As a whole, this country's mental health services are in the dark ages.

[shortandcute]

I think they charge so much because they know they can.

[lonelychick]

Agreed. I'm currently uninsured. I'm working part time and paying out of pocket for all my medical expenses. I've found a place that is pretty decent for meds if I order them in 3 month supplies, but the doc - not so much. And the last two times I've gone, he's wanted me to get lab work done that I've had to refuse because I can't afford it. Blood work with no insurance on a part time salary? Yeah right. And he's no help - he keeps asking me if I have any idea WHEN I'll have insurance. No, but thanks for adding to the pressure and stress I'm already feeling.

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I think they charge so much because they know they can.

I am sorry but I can't agree. Sure, there are doctors that take advantage but more often than not the system is set up so that what they get from insurance companies is low. They then take more patients at half hour increments to make up the diff. Side note... That has to be boring as heck. No way I would do 8 years in college to hand out pieces of paper. Yes, they get paid above average but they also put in the time and expense for graduate school. I personally think you should earn more if you have earn the skills and credentials even if you are doing a pretty stupid job. It isn't much different than putting in time at a retail store, learning about the merchandise and how to sell and making the same as the newbie that just walked in the door.

The other thing is show me an NP or nurse that is living high and I'll show you one that has another source of income... Either a spouse or inheritance or something. My T has a husband who gets paid very well in IT. That explains her nice wardrobe. I've known enough well enough to understand that they consciously sacrificed money to do jobs caring for others. I have met a couple that left their high paying corporate jobs for a health care position.

Yes there are doctors that charge because they can but I don't think I would make an across the board judgement.

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