[bluemountains]

Today I saw my pdoc and discussed how much I would love to go off of meds. Of course, she advised against it. She said that when those of us that are bipolar feel stable, we are most likely to go off of meds. She even offered an incentive that I probably won't refuse. The one drug I like is klonopin for sleep. She said that she would not write me a prescription for [U]only[U] klonopin, that I need to follow her advice on all of the drugs.

Also today I found out that my pdoc's practice, a large one with several locations, will no longer be taking my insurance. This made me sad because I really like my pdoc and I don't want to start over. I'm going from $30 to $150 per visit. Fortunately, she offered a reasonable solution. She will discuss a need for med changes and other concerns over the phone, kind of like a "free" visit. Then I will only meet with her 2-3 times a year. This will work, but I will miss the face-to-face time. We both agreed that we hate insurance!

Bluemountains

My husband's pdoc does not accept any insurance at all, but he's good and my husband likes him, so he pays to see him a few times a year (3 or 4) to go over things. It works for them quite well thus far. He can get in inbetween if there is an emergency that creeps up too. You'll probably find this will work nicely for you.

[kiki86]

that must be so annoying. $150 that's crazy. when i hear stories like that i feel so glad i'm on the nhs!

[bluemountains]

I can understand why they are dropping my insurance co. The business is terrible to deal with. We currently are battling to get two preapproved claims paid.
You are right, kiki, there is something to be said for national health coverage!

I'm not sure if is something your insurance company allows, but all the therapists and pdocs in my area have gone to "not accepting insurance". I just pay up front (yeah, OUCH, it hurts), but then I fill out my insurance companies form for payment of services to be paid directly to me. All I need to do is prove that I received the service and what I paid. My therapist assists me with this by providing me with a letter when I request one. It lists my diagnosis, her license number, the dates I attended sessions and the amount I paid. I have never been denied my payment. . . .although they take their sweet time I've been seeing her for three years and I just asked her recently if my insurance company had ever contacted her see when about she thought I might be done with therapy . . . she's never heard from them in the entire three years that I've seen her.

[splitimage]

Glad you were able to work out a solution with your pdoc that works for you. I'm grateful that my pdoc is covered by public health insurance.

splitimage

[Eliza Jane]

It is so hard to find a good pdoc that if you have a good one, it is worth paying out of pocket. It's what I have resorted to.

Best,
EJ

Originally Posted by Jaybird57

I'm not sure if is something your insurance company allows, but all the therapists and pdocs in my area have gone to "not accepting insurance". I just pay up front (yeah, OUCH, it hurts), but then I fill out my insurance companies form for payment of services to be paid directly to me. All I need to do is prove that I received the service and what I paid. My therapist assists me with this by providing me with a letter when I request one. It lists my diagnosis, her license number, the dates I attended sessions and the amount I paid. I have never been denied my payment. . . .although they take their sweet time I've been seeing her for three years and I just asked her recently if my insurance company had ever contacted her see when about she thought I might be done with therapy . . . she's never heard from them in the entire three years that I've seen her.

Of course this only works if your doctor is on the insurance company's list of providers or your insurance company doesn't have a designated list of providers (a rarity these days). Nice when it works though.

Originally Posted by farmergirl

Of course this only works if your doctor is on the insurance company's list of providers or your insurance company doesn't have a designated list of providers (a rarity these days). Nice when it works though.

And that's why I mentioned that one's insurance company might not "allow" this. Just mentioned it because not everyone realizes that it might be an option that their insurance company doesn't "tell" them about!

Originally Posted by Jaybird57

And that's why I mentioned that one's insurance company might not "allow" this. Just mentioned it because not everyone realizes that it might be an option that their insurance company doesn't "tell" them about!

Oh, I got that. The whole insurance thing can be such a maze.

[BashfulBear]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

Today I saw my pdoc and discussed how much I would love to go off of meds. Of course, she advised against it. She said that when those of us that are bipolar feel stable, we are most likely to go off of meds. She even offered an incentive that I probably won't refuse. The one drug I like is klonopin for sleep. She said that she would not write me a prescription for [U]only[U] klonopin, that I need to follow her advice on all of the drugs.

Also today I found out that my pdoc's practice, a large one with several locations, will no longer be taking my insurance. This made me sad because I really like my pdoc and I don't want to start over. I'm going from $30 to $150 per visit. Fortunately, she offered a reasonable solution. She will discuss a need for med changes and other concerns over the phone, kind of like a "free" visit. Then I will only meet with her 2-3 times a year. This will work, but I will miss the face-to-face time. We both agreed that we hate insurance!

Bluemountains

I'm sorry to hear that, bluemountains! I'm glad you were able to come to a suitable arrangement though!

I hear you loud and clear that paying that amount sucks, but unfortunately some things are necessary, and some things are just worth it! YOU are worth that money!

Off the NHS, bog standard T's in and around my area typically cost £60 - £80 ($94 - $125) per session, and one I met with even charged £120 ($188), so I hate to think how much a pdoc would cost me out of pocket! I just have to remind myself that I NEED it - if it's a matter of quite literally life or death, it's more than worth finding the funds for (if possible)!

I have no idea what my pdoc's usual fees are for the standard 20 minute med check appointment; I just pay a co-pay. I think my husband pays something like $125ish for his with his doc who doesn't take insurance. I did go to my husband's pdoc once for a 2nd opinion (at my own pdoc's request) which was a whopping $375. It was scheduled as a full hour appointment although I don't think we talked quite that long -- no real need to. I think when my pdoc sees me inpatient it is $275 a day for about 15 minutes each daily visit. They are expensive, but the good ones are so worth it once you find them; seems to be quite a few people unsatisfied with their pdocs, so I am not complaining.