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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
Reading everybody's posts here, I get the impression that most of you have experience with many different psychiatrists, which I find enviable. Within the framework of my HMO, it's a big deal to get any kind of referral to a specialist, and I can't imagine getting referred to more than one within the course of a year. Do most of you pay full price, or just have better health care plans? How much does it cost to see a pdoc out of pocket?
Posted by Saltmarsh Rose on June 20, 2003, at 13:04:58
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
> Reading everybody's posts here, I get the impression that most of you have experience with many different psychiatrists, which I find enviable. Within the framework of my HMO, it's a big deal to get any kind of referral to a specialist, and I can't imagine getting referred to more than one within the course of a year. Do most of you pay full price, or just have better health care plans? How much does it cost to see a pdoc out of pocket?
Hi Eddie,
You don't *necessarily* need to see a Psychiatric specialist if
you are satified with your dx and course of treatment..
I saw my Primary care doctor for my med checks and lab stuffs
fir quite a few years until she referred me to my current psychiatrist
when she noticed my anxiety had gone behind the realm of her
comfort level to treat.Right now, my HMO is working well for me, any mental health
referral can be made by the subsciber, me.This HMO is 1000k times better than my previous one
that mandated the use of their own *Health Plan Centers*.
The Psychiatrist there that i used to see had a "God complex" and
i hear now he has left that facility, but i still would avoid going back.If there is a good teaching hospital in your area, that might be a good
place to start to find a practitioner you like and that could
see you in a reasonable time frame. You could also avoid out-of-pocket
medical visit payments if you sign on to a drug study.
Interesting experience; it was phase 2 i believe
of Paxil, double-blind. It went on for about five or six months,
and although i had to buy my meds then,
my doctor visits were free and that how i got my rx.Oh, and i ended up being on the placebo...
Rose
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 13:56:20
In reply to Re: What price, sanity?, posted by Saltmarsh Rose on June 20, 2003, at 13:04:58
> You don't *necessarily* need to see a Psychiatric specialist if
> you are satified with your dx and course of treatment..
---------------Yeah, that's the problem. I've only ever met one doctor (out of maybe 6) who seemed on top of things (a dermatologist). Given this ratio, I'm afraid that the psychiatrist I end up seeing will be dismissive and ineffectual, and he's pretty much my last option in my health plan. I just wonder if paying for my own, outside of the HMO, would be worth it.
Posted by Tabitha on June 20, 2003, at 14:25:25
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
I've gone to private practice docs-- the initial consult is typically $200 and the brief med check is about $100. my doc was also doing brief phone/email consult for around $40.
it feels like a big rip-off, especially doing an initial consult then never seeing the doc again. if you've got HMO I'd try to stay within the confines and do your own research, just try to get the doc to give you what you want, and get your visits for the $10 copay.
Posted by Dinah on June 20, 2003, at 17:36:46
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
My meds checkup is $75 for no more than ten minutes. I don't remember what the initial consult was. He's out of network so I get reimbursed a teensy amount.
But he doesn't make me see him more than three or four times a year. And I like him. And since I find most mental health practitioners difficult to work with, I'm sticking with this one till he retires.
Posted by noa on June 20, 2003, at 20:13:44
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
I pay up front, then have to submit claims to the insurance. Then I get reimbursed a percentage after the annual deductible is satisified. It is expensive this way but I really needed to get a psychiatrist who knows his stuff.
Posted by noa on June 20, 2003, at 20:14:43
In reply to Re: What price, sanity? » Eddie Sylvano, posted by noa on June 20, 2003, at 20:13:44
And anyway, more and more psychiatrists are dropping out of insurance plans, so there is little choice than to do private pay and get reimbursed in part.
Posted by yesac on June 20, 2003, at 20:26:02
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
My doctor is in private practice, but he's covered by my insurance. Still my copay is $28 per session (meds) after my deductible. I didn't have to get a referral, but now I'm starting to wonder if I was supposed to. I guess not because the insurance has been paying so far! Anyway... the costs add up considering that I've been seeing him every week or two for a while, trying to get my meds in order... but I think that it is worth it to finally have a psychiatrist who I like and who gives me the time of day.
Posted by Miller on June 20, 2003, at 20:32:28
In reply to What price, sanity?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 20, 2003, at 11:26:30
Hi Eddie,
Some bad leads to good. When I attempted suicide two times within a month, the insurance company SUDDENLY reacts with every specialist and effort to help. I am sure they (the insurance company) don't want to be responsible for my death if they don't do everything possible. Prior to that, I didn't receive much cooperation except my my family doctor. She was great. Hang in there and keep pestering your docs for referals. Eventually, you will wear them down. ;)
-Miller
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