Scheduled first app.

I scheduled my first app with a psychologist...well, I think! I actually know nothing of her credentials. I have an HMO, and when I called to ask for a list of providers they said I HAVE to go to this facility far from my home, a few cities away, to see one of the people there. Is this normal?

It's hard enough to drag yourself to the app. but then to have it be a production and have to drive so far? Lame.

They said to go to another person closer to my home I'd have to get a referral.

Does anyone else have an HMO and is this typical?

I have Kaiser.

I had an HMO when HMO's were new and that makes sense for them. It's their professionals/employees and they can control the costs.

I haven't found where the therapist is a problem if the therapist and you work well together; I use to have to drive 1-1/2 to 3 hours each way to see mine once a week. I'd leave work at 1:30-2:00 and get home around 7:00.

Can't really speak to what is normal for HMO's, but I do know they have all kinds of weird rules about who you can see and what requires referrals.

I made the decision to not even involve my health insurance in my therapy...specifically so I could choose exactly who I wanted to go see. My T does not take insurance, but will provide receipts if you want to file an out-of-network claim. I don't.

To me this amounts to cruel and unusual medical care. They would never ask you to do something like this for any other type of illness.