My insurance plan changed May 1st and now I am going nuts trying to find a new doc. I didn't pick the one I've been seeing and while I am fine with her, she's not on my plan. I can see her but I'd have to pay the full amount for the visit, verses a reasonable copay for in-network docs. I need somebody who isn't all about the drugs, yet can still prescribe them. I've only just started the drugs. I can't think of a worse time for this to happen. :confused: Drugs are good but I feel that I need more. There are very few mental health providers where I live that are on my plan. I've found one psychiatrist that's on my plan but I haven't heard back if she'll let me see her. And even if I can, I have to get the visit authorized by my insurance first. I only have 2 weeks of medication left. (If the side effects from going off the drugs are anything like the ones I had going on them, I don't want to stop. That and my friend/pastor would probably haul me off to the hospital if I stopped the medication. :) )

My question is, if I can't see her, what type of doctor should I look for, psychologist or psychiatrist??? This is all so new for me!?! :( I'm trying not to panic, but it's so frustrating dealing with all this. It's even affecting my work as this is all I can think about. If I could just get everything settled I'd be fine.

thx
~blue

Hello Blue,

If you are still waiting for a response from the psychiatrist and you only have one or two doses of your meds left, you can go to the emergency room.

Your insurance will pay for the emergency room visit;especially if they are aware of the current situation.

Take care.

Phoenix

Hi Bluedog,
I went thru the same thing you did. somehow I found a place that's a mental health clinic that reaches out to the community and to help people even if they dont' have money. If you are working, they'll go by a sliding scale fee on the amount of money you make. IF you can't afford it, you tell them you can't and they'll call someone in their head office and they decide what you should pay. Like $5.00 or $10.00 a visit.
Can you call somewhere some type of state run agency? They can refer you.
Look in your phone book under the government pages. Not in the white pages.

I went to a place that first set up to help people in the Jewish community. I"m not Jewish and they took me. They feel people with mental health disorders shouldn't have to suffer and that's why they help people.

it's a WONDERFUL orginazation. I really hope they have something similar in your state.

My psychiatrist had to rx the medications. At the clinic I go to, it is mandatory that you have to see a therapist every week and then you can see the psychiatrist, otherwise they won't take you.
when my therapist left to have a child and took her maternity time off, I didn't want another therapist so had to ask my family dr. to take over to write the scripts for me until she returned to work.

Dont' EVER go off your medications cold turkey. It can be life threatening.

I agree, go straight thru the ER if you have to.

I wish you the best.

sincerely,
LInda

The doctor I have been seeing is at the local mental health clinic. That's where my friend took me when I became suicidal. They do have a sliding rate scale. But I work and don't get much of a discount. I'll keep the appointment I have with the old doctor that I have next Friday if I have to. It probably be cheaper than the $250 ER copay, even if I have to pay the whole amount for the visit.

~blue

A doctor at a clinic can also write you a script for your medication. You can also call your current doctor and have her phone in a script for you as well. The ER is ALWAYS an options as well. Please remember your not alone and there are options!




Freepirit

I got an appointment with the new doc in a week. Found out that I don't have to get approval to see her as she is an MD. If I went to a psychologist I'd have to get approval. I think I may look into finding a therapist, especially if all I get out of a psychiatrist is medication.

I'm on a PPO plan not a HMO, thank God! :-) It's just the mental heath stuff that we have to pre-approval for.

I'm doing a little better as this is sorted out now. But I've just gone to 20mg of Lexapro and that's messing me up.

Thanks for your support.
~blue

Yay Bluedog!

I am SO happy for you that this worked out for you. We have to do research on the things we need otherwise they won't tell us outright.

that's been my experience anyway. I had to do the research and this takes time.

I don't understand the difference between a ppo and a hmo anymore. I used to.
but my memory problem that seems to be only getting worst since my psychiatrist put me on a new biplor med, I'm losing words.
I can't seem to say what I want anymore.
I feel like I am at the mid stage of alzheimers.

I feel frustrated by this, but this is the only drug so far that I can tolerate for my illness, side effect wise.. the others just made me so sick.

At least you realize that therapy with medications really help a person.

you're very smart blue dog and I forsee that you will get the help you need to feel better.

good luck to you.

L