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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
Isn't it so very expensive? For me, I think I have maxed out my insurance pay off limits. Hereafter, if I have to go I will have the full thing out of my packet. (Not to mention that I am terminating for other reasons tomorrow - due to my move back to my country etc).
But I was thinking if I wanted to continue therapy, I would have to pay 120 $ out of my packet every week !!!. My Goodness. Isn't it so very expensive?
How do folks afford it? I won't be able to. Do therapists give reduced prices if we are not covered by insurance?
Posted by LadyBug on August 3, 2005, at 14:38:54
In reply to How do you afford therapy?, posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
I have insurance for 20 visits a year. That doesn't go far when you go every week. My therapist does give me a reduced fee but I find it hard to pay so I have to skip some weeks. That frustrating as heck and makes me feel bad about myself.
I say work out something with your therapist. Most of them are willing to do that.
Good luck!
LadyBug
Posted by LittleGirlLost on August 3, 2005, at 15:50:04
In reply to How do you afford therapy?, posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
My therapist isn't in my insurance plan, so I pay out of pocket. She has sliding scale, and I am at the low end, but it's still quite expensive. Unfortunately, I do without ALOT to be able to afford therapy. Sometimes I think about all that I am doing without and get annoyed at that since I could see someone in network for much less. The other problem is that I really need to see her at least twice a week and financially there is just no way. I'd never leave her though; she's worth it. :)
lgl
Posted by Poet on August 3, 2005, at 17:56:47
In reply to How do you afford therapy?, posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
Hi Pinkeye,
When the insurance runs out, my T has a sliding fee scale. She bills insurance for $120 per session, and will go as low as $60 per session for out of pocket. Which is good because the insurance is ending in about two sessions.
She takes credit cards, so if I have to resort to that to pay her I will. Pretty sad. Damn insurance industry.
Poet
Posted by caraher on August 4, 2005, at 0:23:59
In reply to Re: How do you afford therapy? » pinkeye, posted by Poet on August 3, 2005, at 17:56:47
I used to have insurance that paid for 20 visits/year for therapists from an approved list. I didn't find my current T until I decided that that was no bargain if I wasn't happy with my choices, so I've paid out of pocket since. Neither my previous nor next employer's health insurance plans cover anything for mental health apart from prescription drugs.
The result is a nice little mountain of credit card debt. The total cost of my depression to me, in financial terms alone, is in 5 figures by the most conservative estimate and more likely 6 figures all told (factoring in lost wages and opportunities). I'm lucky enough to have established a decent credit rating, anyway. But in truth nobody in a truly civilized country would have to make the kinds of choices between health and money that so many of us are forced into...
Posted by frida on August 4, 2005, at 7:31:46
In reply to How do you afford therapy?, posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
hi,
i pay my T out of my own pocket and i'm in a very tight situation finantially. But she waits for me, and charges me less than her other clients. I'm at her end of the sliding fee, and still it's expensive for me, but she waits patiently. Where I work I get paid very late so sometimes Ihave to pay my t really late- but she knows my situation and told me it's ok, we can always work something out- Fortunately!
It is expensive but I always think that it's what keeps me alive and has helped me to have hope and I think it's money well spent. If I could I would go twice a week. But I value a lot that she waits for me and charges me less- i wouldn't be able to pay otherwise...all the best
frida
> Isn't it so very expensive? For me, I think I have maxed out my insurance pay off limits. Hereafter, if I have to go I will have the full thing out of my packet. (Not to mention that I am terminating for other reasons tomorrow - due to my move back to my country etc).
>
> But I was thinking if I wanted to continue therapy, I would have to pay 120 $ out of my packet every week !!!. My Goodness. Isn't it so very expensive?
>
> How do folks afford it? I won't be able to. Do therapists give reduced prices if we are not covered by insurance?
Posted by cricket on August 4, 2005, at 10:37:14
In reply to How do you afford therapy?, posted by pinkeye on August 3, 2005, at 13:18:59
I can't afford it.
I have tons of credit card debt.
It got to the point where I couldn't even pay the minimum monthly so now we've taken out another mortgage on our apartment.
My T's fee is $250 per hour. He is a pdoc.
Posted by kerria on August 6, 2005, at 9:01:19
In reply to Re: How do you afford therapy?, posted by cricket on August 4, 2005, at 10:37:14
Hi Pinkeye,
(((((Cricket)))))
(((((Everyone)))))For the first three years since i started therapy for PTSD and DID i paid out of pocket after the 52 lifetime visits (the insurance paid about half the cost) were taken up. i was going to t once a week and doing so badly - there were six hospitalizations during that time. i had to create a part to do a part-time job (really) because i was in too bad shape to work. The $90/wk was about my entire paycheck some weeks and my family and some of my parts didn't understand how important t was. It was a very hard struggle.
For the past two years the insurance co. changed the rules, thankfully- to have unlimited visits- i think. i'm trying to go twice a week (just recently) and they're paying the whole amount so far. i'm worried that they will change back again though.
It's so unfair when insurance companies discriminate and pay for medical and not therapy when it's just as critical to survival. If i didn't go to therapy i literally wouldn't know what i'm doing.
i know- i still don't ---- but it's a little better anyways.i'm so sorry that it's such a struggle for so many of us that suffer so much to pay for therapy or are not able to afford it.
Take care,
kerria
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