Huge T dilemma

I don't even know where to start. I've had this insurance issue that I've posted about before. I have insurance through my school, it was cheaper and my mom was paying $600 a month to have me on her insurance (Blue Cross). However, it was an awesome insurance and covered everything...I never had a problem getting extra sessions. Well, a couple of months ago when I thought about upping my sessions to twice-a-week, I called the new insurance company to check on my plan and how many visits I had left and they told me I had 24 for the whole year, no exeptions. I had a total meltdown and was ready to quit therapy right then and there. Well, with some discussion with my mom, we decided that I would use up my sessions because I was in a crisis period, and she would pay for the sessions when my covered ones ran out. I was also in the process of applying for Mass Health, a low income insurance that pays for everything. However, because I already have insurance from my school, I may not qualify. I sent in the application a week ago, so I should be getting an answer with 1-2 weeks.

My dilemma is that each session is $75...which I know isn't that bad compared to some that can be up to $200...but we aren't exactly "rolling in it" right now and I can't get over the money issue. I feel so much guilt for having my mom paying. I know we already discussed this a while ago, and last Friday was the first session I paid for, but it is already getting to me. I can't shake the guilt...MY problems are expensive. We could be using the money for so many more important things, people go without therapy all the time..I won't die without it (well, hopefully not). Anyway, after my rough session last week (he said a few things that upset me) I'm starting to think that we need some space. I think I'm overwhelming him and I need to give him a break. Plus, it would give my mom's bank account a break. I can survive a few weeks without therapy, right? Also, the school T I see every other week because of this impending situation is on vacation for 2 weeks, so I will not have anyone for at least 2 weeks. Part of me is thinking "Ok, I can do this, it will be a good test for me to work through things on my own and process things alone" and the other part is thinking "Are you flipping crazy? SI, dad issues, relationship-breakup issues...and NOW I'm quitting therapy?" I just started some core processing with my fathers death and my SI...opened a whole new can of worms, and now I'm thinking I have to shove the worms back in the can, superglue it shut, tape it in a box, and bury it in the back yard. If I stop therapy now, I HAVE to shut myself off again. I'm afraid I will take 10 steps backwards.

I just don't know what to do. Do I continue with therapy, have my mom pay the $75 a week for now, then possibly get denied the Mass Health and pay that until my new policy starts in August? Or, do I stop therapy all together at least until I get an answer from Mass Health, and if I get denied at least I will already be closed off and not dealing with my issues. UGH I hate this. I need to talk to my T about it but I just needed to process it on here with you guys. I know it is long so I"m so sorry, I tend to ramble when I'm stressed! Any thoughts would be great...

If I were you I would have a heart to heart talk with your mom and see what she thinks is best for you. Also talk to your T about it. Listen to your gut as well. What is your gut saying is the right thing to do?? Give it some time. Don't make any rash decisions. Good luck with this Sweetlove!

I don't know the answer, but I'm sorry the situation is so difficult, and I hope you can speak to your mother and together work out what the best thing to do is

Maybe you could use a mix of methods to pay until you hear from the other insurance. Your current insurance pays for 24/yr which is about one session every 2 weeks. So maybe you can keep doing two a month that are paid for by insurance, and you pay for one session a month yourself with cash you earn at a job you have at school (if you don't have one, this will be incentive!), and maybe you could ask your mom to pay for one session every 2 months. This would give you 7 sessions every 2 months, which is practically every week. I am sure your parents would appreciate that you will pay for one of your sessions each month. And hold off for now on the twice a week sessions. You really can get a lot of good work done going just once a week. Sorry things are so tough right now. Hang in there with this. It sounds like it is very much worth it for you to keep going to therapy.

I'm not exactly sure about this, but depending on what state you live in, and what your diagnosis is, the mental health parity act may work in your favor here.

I know in my state, Blue Cross was actually granted an exemption from the act by the legislature , but my doc can request more session and, with the right diagnosis, I can get them.

Might want to talk to your doc about this too.

Oh no! Well if you speak to your doctor, you may be able to reapply and get your health benefits extended. Insurance companies are sometimes willing to extend coverage if a patient and a doctor can make the case it would be harmful to the patient to stop therapy. It's really a shame it's so difficult. Having to worry about money for therapy brings up a whole new set of stress.

I agree with what others suggested - to talk it over with your mom. Also the idea of paying for every other session could be great! Have your T only submit the ones insurance has to cover so they don't see the others and count them.

Hi Sweetlove,

I'm in Massachusetts too and had secondary MassHealth coverage when I was in school. Meaning, my primary insurance was the school's policy, but because I was low-income (they don't count student loans as income), MassHealth picked up where my primary insurance left off. And they covered all my therapy, which often was twice a week.

I know a few of the rules have changed since I had that coverage, but I'm pretty sure that if your income level fits within their range, you should be able to get covered through MassHealth. Breathe! Just try to hang in there till you get an answer from them. I suspect it will work out just fine.

I did talk to my mom last night and told her I was thinking of telling my T today that I wanted to stop for a while..but she doesn't want me to. She wants me to continue so I don't go backwards. I just can't get over the money thing. I don't know what my gut is telling me to to do...I can't hear it over my brain! I know I should continue, but I don't know if I want to. Thanks Cats!

Me too...thanks Improving

Wow, that's a lot to take in. Acually my current insurance visits have run out...I don't have any left until August. I do have a job, but I can't afford to pay for my visits myself...it's just a part time job to give me some extra cash when I need it. I'm in school full time so I really don't have time to pick up another job right now. I am stopping the twice a week right now...I probably won't ever go back to that unless I get unlimited visits from insurance. You're right though, once a week is still productive..I have to keep telling myself that. Thanks so much Sunrise

Wow, I'm going to look into that. I don't have Blue Cross anymore...its just a small insurance company through my school. My T called them and they were very adamant about the fact that they only cover 24 sessions, you can't even request more. Thank you Elliemay!

Thanks Lyib...he did say a while ago that he would call them and tell them how detrimental therapy is right now, and how worried it makes him to stop my therapy. But, when I talked about applying for the Mass Health, he didn't think he needed to call...so we never even tried that. Very stressful!!
Unfortunatly, I don't have any covered sessions left. If I have to wait until the new policy starts in August, I'm going to do what you said I think and only do every other week with the insurance, and pay for the others on my own. Thanks Wepow!
Wow, lovely girl...you just made me feel so much better! That gives me hope. I'm just afraid my T won't take it as a secondary insurance...I have to ask. Thank you

Thank you so much everyone. My appointment is at 12:30 today so I'm hoping we can discuss all of this and I can have a better idea of what I want/need to do. I'm just praying it goes semi-well because I can't take another trip to the "dark place"...it's so hard to pull myself out of