Positive experiences with ins. companies? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Fuzzy Cat · 08-25-2006, 04:04 PM

Hello,

This is my first time posting here. I was wondering if anyone has good experiences getting help from their insurance?

I was diagnosed by1 two years ago. Treatment then was quick and easy because I paid cash to keep the diagnosis secret from my employer/co-workers. My psych doc put me on Lithium, etc. and things were great. Good enough that after six months I convinced myself I was normal and stopped treatment.

I no longer have that career (not compatible with diagnosis). I must now go through insurance and it is a test. Two weeks ago I made the ridiculously difficult effort of calling ins. to get to a doctor. They gave me the name of a counselor and said she would refer me to an "accepted" doctor.

Two weeks later, I have seen counselor twice but no doctor and no meds. The counselor thinks I am bp too, but is having problems getting insurance to send a list of approved doctors. She says this is a common problem. Is this typical? I feel like a forgotten number in a red-tape game. So far, no reward for trying to get help before getting ridiculously out of control. I feel so jaded. It was really so hard to pick up the phone when I did. Any positive stories or tips on how to get help without landing in a hospital first? Thanks.

texascritter · 08-25-2006, 06:26 PM

Hi. I can't answer your question but I did want to welcome you to the board. Alot of others will be coming along and sharing what they know with you. Be patient because sometimes weekends are a little slow. Again welcome. TEXASCRITTER

Max213 · 08-25-2006, 06:28 PM

Hi Cat,

Who wouldn't want to keep BP a secret. Even if you get the medical records, you still have problems getting a doctor. The counseour sounds like a middle man. There must be something you can do?

What about Patients Rights Advocacy in your area or ****(1-800-950-****).
I don't know what to do in a similar situation. I have insurance, but the clinic I'm going to isn't prescribling me meds for sleep. I wake up depressed as well and don't want to do anything. I feel helpless like you.

If you do go to the hospital, it could be your best option, unless you wait endlessly for the counselour to find you an approved psychiatrist. But I've have felt overmedicated with Antipsychotics there. If you do go refuse them. My opinion. Because the last one was Abilify, and I had a hard time sitting still.

Well, maybe a patients rights advocate can help or ****.

Good Luck, I hope you find a solution soon,

Max

gav_73 · 08-25-2006, 08:01 PM

I don't know if this will help, but I have two insurance policies, a primary and a secondary, and they both have websites where you can view a list of preferred providers. Neither one of them required registration to view the list. I know that has helped me tremendously in finding doctors of all kinds, and I've been happy with every one.

Check online with your insurance company to see, I'll bet they do. I have rinky-dink insurance, hence the two policies. So I would figure if they have a website, yours probably will, too. That is, if you have a PPO. If you have an HMO, I have no experience with that type of plan.

Today as I was talking to my psychiatrist, she was referring a counselor to me we were discussing insurance. She told me that a lot of mental health professionals stopped taking insurance all together and now leave it up to the patient to file his/her claim themselves. For some reason, she said, insurance companies either take forever to pay them, or don't pay them at all, even when they are required to as part of your policy. I was shocked and a little outraged. What a slap in the face, eh?

Good luck, and insurance companies can be a nightmare as I'm finding out for other things (they keep losing my stuff, etc.)

Fiona_Jo_324 · 08-26-2006, 04:20 AM

I am having trouble with my insurance finding a Doctor. It is very frustrating and I did have list to work from. But, when I would call the Doctors they were either not accepting patients or in the middle of negotiations with my insurance and said I would have to pay full cash price anyway. Out of complete frustration, I had my husband take over calling for me and he has found me one, but we are still waiting for a call back. The only thing I can recommend is there a way you can call the insurance yourself and get the list of approved Doctors so you can call? Or does it have to be therapist referred with your insurance? I know all insurance is different. I am sorry you are going through this and can totally relate.