Posted by JohnL on January 5, 2000, at 4:29:37
In reply to If things weren't bad enough..., posted by Michele R. on January 4, 2000, at 17:02:34
Hi Michele. There aren't enough words in the english language to express the horror and despair I felt reading your post. I send my best wishes for hope and peace to you.
My HMO also had only two pdocs available in my area. They were both worthless. I now pay full price up to a $500 deductible for a good pdoc outside the HMO, at which time the HMO will pay $50 of each visit thereafter to a non-HMO pdoc. You may have some similar arrangement. I don't know. But you should check. Our mental health is way more important than money. So paying cash to a good pdoc outside your HMO should be considered. Some of them have sliding fee scales, but you have to ask to get it. Others might let you make monthly payments. There are financial arrangements available to help. But they won't volunteer the information. We have to ask.
You should check out www.psycom.net/depression.central.html. This is the website of depression central, a respected psychiatrist Dr Ivan Goldberg. At his site you will find tons of information on mood disorders. Among other things, he lists the best psychiatric hospitals and the best psychiatrists in the country. You will likely find some in your area. You can even email Dr Ivan Goldberg directly. He may have suggestions. Who knows, he might even welcome you as a patient.
You also might call local psychiatry departments of universities. Explain your situation. Who knows, someone might accept your case at a reduced rate. I do have faith there is a solution to your situation. But it won't come to you. You have to go out and find it. Pull out the yellow pages. Kind of like detective work. Lots of phone calls. The more calls you make and the more people you talk to the more likely your efforts will take you to a desired destination. You may even find one pdoc recommending a different one who handles cases like yours. You never know. The more doors you bang on the more likely you are to find one that welcomes you in.
So sorry there is no easy answer. I'm basically saying it might be best to forget the HMO restrictions and do whatever it takes to find a good pdoc you can afford. Your health is most important. There are GPs as well that are real whizzes with psychopharmacology. You might call around and ask for a local GP who has a knack with psychiatric medicines. I've known one who trounced my pdocs in his creative use of psychiatric medicines. He works out of a humble little family clinic and only charges $35-$50 a visit. So don't lose hope. The right doctor at the right price IS available near you somewhere. It will take a little creative determined detective work on the phone to find the right one. You never know where your search will lead. But it will certainly be better than anything the HMO can provide. Wishing you hope and peace. JohnL
poster:JohnL
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18064.html