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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michele R. on January 4, 2000, at 17:02:34
I reach out for help,
but no one's there, I now know.
Would you like to know the reason?
I belong to an HMO.Went to a new doctor today (GP). I'm the Celexa girl
who had a brief 4 day reprieve from severe depression.
I thought it was my other GP who was the problem in getting a psych referral,
whom I had asked 2x and he never got back to me. To this
day, I've only seen a GP about my depression that I have
suffered since I was 12. I am now 33.But today a new GP, and she informed me that my insurance
is only accepted by two psychs in the area, and one was
not taking new patients and the other only had a answering
machine. She was very concerned and told me to go directly to the
CDPHP crisis center. No thanks, I saw what they did to my mother.
They misdiagnosed her as having Alzheimer's disease, had her declared
incompetent, took her house and possessions, and once they had those,
kicked her out on the street. To this day we don't know where she is.
Might sound like a movie of the week, but that is what happened.
I have the papers to prove it. I am not going to any shrink who
misdiagnoses a 48 year old women who was too paranoid to leave her
house, she almost starved to death with ALZHEIMERS, for crying out
loud. I would rather die than go to that terrible place.
I had so much hope, now there is none. none. I had a glorious 4 days,
but it wasn'tmeant to last for me. I'm not meant to enjoy a normal life.If anyone knows of a psych in the Albany, NY area, who takes Blue Cross,
Blue Shield please let me know. I don't know what else to do. Just wait
till I can't take it anymore I guess.Michele
Posted by Noa on January 4, 2000, at 20:45:42
In reply to If things weren't bad enough..., posted by Michele R. on January 4, 2000, at 17:02:34
Michelle, is there any doc associated with SUNY that might work with BCBS? I would start there.
This is a growing problem, I found, because when I was looking into a consult from another pdoc, I found one I liked, but he accepts NO insurance, and said he couldn't refer me to anyone because all his friends no longer take any insurance either. THIS IS A BAD TREND.
Would you consider travelling to another city for a consult? One who could communicate with your GP?
I am thinking that it is possible that your GP refered you to the crisis clinic because it is the only option available to her to be responsible to you when she knows psychiatric illness is beyond her skill.
Another thought--do you have the option of going out of network? Ie, can you submit your bill and get reimbursed by BCBS? I know it covers less that way, but you do need to see a psychiatrist.
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
Posted by S. Suggs on January 5, 2000, at 6:00:18
In reply to If things weren't bad enough..., posted by Michele R. on January 4, 2000, at 17:02:34
Michele, I'm sorry to hear of your difficult situation. One suggestion would be to very intensely "network" with family and friends you trust. Explain your problem, and see if they know of a GP with a lot of psych expertise, or one who "writes more freely" with his/her pen. Also, check into a support group and ask others there the same question. BCBS may not accept the doc, but that cost alone would be much lower than a specialist. Just a thought, for what it is worth. Please keep us updated, many blessings.
S. Suggs
Posted by Canadian Michele on January 5, 2000, at 12:33:08
In reply to Re: If things weren't bad enough..., posted by S. Suggs on January 5, 2000, at 6:00:18
> Michele, I'm sorry to hear of your difficult situation. One suggestion would be to very intensely "network" with family and friends you trust. Explain your problem, and see if they know of a GP with a lot of psych expertise, or one who "writes more freely" with his/her pen. Also, check into a support group and ask others there the same question. BCBS may not accept the doc, but that cost alone would be much lower than a specialist. Just a thought, for what it is worth. Please keep us updated, many blessings.
>
> S. SuggsMy heart goes out to you. Please take action on the advice offered here - do not GIVE UP. You are in my prayers.
Michele
This is the end of the thread.
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