[jamminpianogirl]

I'm sorry, but does anyone else find it ridiculous how much psychiatrists charge?

Don't get me wrong, I understand why they would make a ton of money. But sometimes it just seems to go overboard!

At my last appointment I walked into the room for 8 minutes to say that I was doing quite fine with this med, confirmed that I need to find a therapist, and scheduled another appointment. He charged $100! Now I didn't need his expertise THAT much to know that I can stay on this med and should call a therapist in the area. Ugh! Not everybody has a hoard of money in their bank to spend on psychiatrist medical bills....

[lenjan]

$100 for 8 minutes is pretty good, LOL. I canned one who charged $168 and literally spent 3 minutes with me. She triple-booked 15-minute appointments so she could get that many more people in.

Fortunately, not all of them are money grubbers! I had one for nearly 10 years who was one of the most caring people I've ever met, in or out of the medical field. I hope you can find one of those instead of one of the greedy jerks.

Candy

[Rhapsody]

I hear you....... and for that much money I would have stayed for a full hour and got me some therapy.

My T charges $70 for an hour and my insurance pay half of the bill....... at least she is cheaper than my Rheumatologist....... he gets $150 for just walking into his office for 5 minutes - Thank God for good old Co-payments.

[splitimage]

I hear you. My pdoc is covered by state medical insurance here, but I pay my psychologist. She charges $160 an hour - but at least I always get my full 50 min. with her, and my supplemental medical insuarance through work only reimburses $500 for the year.

Just ticks me off sometimes that I'm paying for therapy instead of owning a house.

---splitimage

[sunrise]

I've only been to see my PNP twice. The first time was for intake and the appt was 1 hour. The second time was meds check and I thought we would spend 15-20 minutes together. But the appt lasted 55 minutes! I haven't gotten a bill yet for either meeting, so I'm a little apprehensive. However, apparently my insurance covers her for 90% so I won't have to pay that much. That is worth dancing about! My therapist, on the other hand, charges me $125 and insurance won't cover a penny. So it is definitely cheaper for me to see the PNP than the T. However, I need both right now.

[MissCharlotte]

You know this is interesting. I don't think they charge too much because they have advanced degrees and knowledge of so much.

My pdoc charged $350 for the initial eval and I pay $165 each time I go.

My complaint is that this is counted toward my allowed # of therapy visits each year and so I don't even put in for it because I see T 2x per week.

Sheesh, yeah what a racket.

[chaotic13]

My previous GP tried to refer me to a pdoc that didn't take insurance. $250 for the initial consult and $150 for follow-up visits. I said NO Thanks. This issue lead to a disagreement that ended our 15 yr relationship.

I did find a neurologist/pdoc who works in the same practice as my new GP. Luckily my insurance covers these visits.

My favorite is last week I scheduled an appointment to specifically discuss concerns about my medication and a new concern with my doctor. Instead in bops his new PA. When I said that I would prefer to see the physician, she assured me that she could handle all my my concerns and is an extension of the doctor himself. Sorry, I can appreciate the role of a PA, but to act like there is no difference between the MD and an a PA is ridiculous. I can see them helping with follow up visit but evaluating new problems and discussing possible change in medication... I don't think that is appropriate. Also, if you see the PA or the MD they charge you or your insurance company the same rate. This is wrong!

[sunrise]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
chaotic13 said:
Also, if you see the PA or the MD they charge you or your insurance company the same rate. This is wrong!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">I do think that is wrong and worth talking to the clinic about (or even your insurance--they may not know they're getting scammed). I see a PNP for meds, not a pdoc, and her rate is lower than an MD.

[chaotic13]

I should have actually said that my co-pay is the same. I really don't know if there is a different billing code for seeing the PA.
I should also clarify that I respect PA's, PNP, and other health care professions. I just think patients are not always clearly informed about who is actually administering their care. Someone who comes in the room with a white coat is often times assumed to be a physician. Often it is not. After the PA attempted to convince me that I needed to get comfortable with her treating. I simply nodded, smiled, and said I don't feel comfortable speaking with you. I scheduled my appointment with the physician, if he is unavailable, I'll reschedule. She left and the physician came in 5 minutes later.

[MissCharlotte]

Wow, I totally agree on the PA issue. My H was sick last week and said that as soon as the PA walked in the room he knew it was a wasted visit, as she looked about 12 years old. And it was a waste! Good for you for stating your needs, and insisting on them being met.

I am po'd because pdoc is an MD (of course). He's a psychopharmacologist, and I go to him because my system is extremely sensitive to meds and he is expert at teasing out these issues for me. I think his visits should be considered medical visits rather than therapy visits!

[sunrise]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
chaotic13 said:
II scheduled my appointment with the physician, if he is unavailable, I'll reschedule.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">I totally on agree on that. You should see the practitioner with whom you scheduled the appointment. If they want you to see the PA, at the time of your phone call to schedule, they should ask then if you would see the PA, and if you decline, then they shouldn't foist her on you unexpectedly when you show up for your appointment. That is just wrong. My mother sees a PA for general care, and really likes her. The PA really takes time to listen to her, spends longer on the visit, and seems to be able to communicate with my mother in a way that doesn't intimidate her and empowers her to ask questions. With doctors, she often just nods her head and won't ask questions because she sees it as disrespectful to his authority and expertise. However, when my mother calls to make an appointment, she schedules with the PA--it is not decided when she arrives who she will see.

MissCharlotte, I agree with what you said too. Your visits to your pdoc should be considered medical visits. I am surprised at that. Is that how it typically is on insurance plans? I just started with a PNP and assumed she would be billed as medical. I haven't received a bill yet (or EOB from insurance), so it will be interesting to see. (How will I know when I look at the claim whether it is being counted as a medical visit or not?)

[chaotic13]

I agree on the medical visit issue. My insurance seems to cover my neurologist the same as my GP. At least i think. I get 60 mental health outpatient visits per year. I go mainly 1x/2wks, so at this point it hasn't been an issue.
Miss C OMG your comment about the PA looking 12 cracked me up. Mine looked like a a new graduate. When she said, 'I'm sure I can handle your medication questions and what ever issue you need to have addressed.' I was like "I bet you think you can too." 'Then caught myself switching into ***** mode and let up a little bit.

[MissCharlotte]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
(How will I know when I look at the claim whether it is being counted as a medical visit or not?)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Sunny, I'm not sure how yours work, but see what they call it. Mine calls pdoc visits "psychotherapy" same as T's. I guess each company has their own system and language.