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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lucie lu on January 8, 2009, at 20:56:11
In reply to Other PhD's in my state ~much less, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 18:29:07
Nearly all of the clinical psychologists that I know in the Boston/Cambridge area, unless they are very new to practice, have fees close to $200. It's an expensive place to practice (not to mention live). What they actually get from insurance though varies a lot, and in ways I still do not understand.
Posted by yellowbird01 on January 8, 2009, at 21:37:21
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
Wow! I thought my therapist was expensive. My therapist's full fee is $120, but I pay $85 because I cant afford the full fee. I only paid my last therapist $32, but she was at a sliding scale clinic. My current therapist is in private practice. I think the fee is fair, but it still really hurts my budget and pretty much wipes out the idea of any savings at this point.
Posted by seldomseen on January 9, 2009, at 2:00:09
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
My T is a psychiatrist. He charges $110 for 45 minutes.
He does NOT however, take what insurance pays. I pay him in full, and I file the insurance, they pay me the pittance they would pay him.
He's pretty shrewd that way.
He's worth it though.
All in all, he's worth it and he's never once raised the fee.
Seldom.
Posted by Wittgensteinz on January 9, 2009, at 4:42:13
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
$270 does seem a lot. Things are quite different in the Netherlands. Most therapists and all psychiatrists are covered completely if they work within an institute/clinic of some kind. The exception is for those who decide to work independently. My T (an analyst) isn't covered by insurance, as he works independently, so it all comes out of my pocket. You might think me mad to have opted for a high-cost treatment instead of seeing someone for free but there were clear benefits of opting for an independent therapist.
That said he does give me a reduced rate - I pay just under $70 a session, and see him twice weekly. I think his standard rate is $110. I don't know how much he actually 'gets' as the Netherlands has high taxes.
I think you should be happy you are just paying $10 and that $235 figure could be misleading once tax and insurance have taken their chunk off.
In England I had to see a psychiatrist a couple of times privately and that cost something like $400 a time for 50 minutes (the second session we were finished in 30 minutes but he still charged the same rate). Fortunately my insurance fully covered it but most in the UK don't have insurance as there is a public health system - so I was lucky. As far as seeing a free pdoc - that would have meant a 4 month or more wait (if my GP would have referred me - and trying to get a referral is like trying to find gold dust).
Personally, I think things are in a very sorry state in the UK as far as mental health care is concerned (don't be mislead by the rosy picture painted by Michael Moore's 'Sicko'). I'm very happy I don't live there anymore.
Posted by sassyfrancesca on January 9, 2009, at 10:55:03
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot! » Abby Cunningham, posted by Wittgensteinz on January 9, 2009, at 4:42:13
My t charges $80.00, and doesn't take insurance. His website says he charges 100-120.......Pretty soon I have to tell him I cannot see him anymore; I am dreading that like you can only imagine.
Sassy
P.S. My t is a Ph.D.
Posted by antigua3 on January 9, 2009, at 11:14:42
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
T, who has an MSSW and is a LCSW: $140; insurance pays $30. Ridiculous.
More ridiculous. Psychiatrist: $250; insurance pays $60.
Neither takes insurance. I pay in full and get the pittance back from the insurance company.
antigua
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2009, at 13:34:30
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by antigua3 on January 9, 2009, at 11:14:42
Don't know what medicaire paid mine or her rate my co-pay was $38.00 PHD. Phillipa
Posted by Looney Tunes on January 10, 2009, at 11:11:49
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by antigua3 on January 9, 2009, at 11:14:42
I have found that more and more T's are NOT taking insurance anymore. When I moved here, there were very few in my insurance panel and most of them did "short-term therapy" or were younger and less experienced. (no-way could handle me - LOL)
My T charges normally charges like $180 per 50-minute session (I think). T also likes to do longer sessions.
But, I only pay $70 because otherwise I would have to quit. I also can't afford extended sessions.The state of mental health payment is HORRIBLE and I can only hope that things change in the next several years....
Posted by Poet on January 10, 2009, at 18:16:35
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
Hi Abby,
My T bills insurance for $120.00 per session. She's not a PhD, but still, $245.00 seems really high to me. You're really fortunate that your insurance will cover that high of a charge. I know mine has caps on coverage amounts for some services.
Poet
Posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 18:22:24
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
FYI-
Nearly all of us in the U.S. have had the experience of receiving paltry mental health insurance coverage while coverage for physical conditions is much, much better. This will all change in Jan 2010. As part of the 2008 bailout package that was passed by Congress, a nationwide mental healthy parity law also was passed. This means that it will be illegal for insurers to discriminate against people getting mental health treatment. Parity means that treatment for mental illness will have to be equivalent to that for physical illness. This nationwide parity law will supercede any existing state laws, which may be more restrictive. Anyone who is interested in learning more about this can contact Sen. Ted Kennedy's office in Washington (look on the web for contact information - ask for the office handling the mental health parity issue), since he is one of the senators who helped to push this legislation through (the other primary sponsor, I believe, was Sen Pete Dominici of NM). Mental health organizations have lobbied for this legislation for many years, and finally have been successful in getting this passed. It is about time.
Posted by kath on January 11, 2009, at 19:22:32
In reply to mental health coverage will change in 2010, posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 18:22:24
Wow - that sounds HUGE!!!
Being from Canada, where we probably pay bigtime through our taxes, but don't have to pay actual medical insurance, I wonder how people can afford medical insurance. Is it very much per month? I know there'd be various types/prices. I wonder what the price range would be?
Kath
Posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 20:05:08
In reply to Re: mental health coverage will change in 2010 » lucie lu, posted by kath on January 11, 2009, at 19:22:32
Ah, comparing our system to yours is another story altogether. There is no question, health care in the US is expensive. The only thing this new parity law does is make some equivalence between mental and physical illnesses... it does not mean that health care is affordable and accessible for everyone and for everything. Sadly.
Posted by kath on January 11, 2009, at 20:16:27
In reply to Re: mental health coverage will change in 2010, posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 20:05:08
Yes, I realized that it was about pulling the mental health coverage to a par with medical health coverage for those with insurance. That's it, right? So that the companies offering insurance must provide equally for mental health & medical health. But that's a very big step, it sounds like.
:-) Kath
Posted by no_rose_garden on January 11, 2009, at 20:39:22
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Looney Tunes on January 10, 2009, at 11:11:49
Abby, seems like you have a pretty good insurance if you only have to pay $10 of that!
My T isn't on my insurance panel, but my insurance still pays 50% for those who aren't...
So I pay T $120 and then I turn in receipts to insurance company and get a check worth half of what I paid.
I sort of like it this way...I know T isn't spending all histime dealing w/ insurance co. and I get a nice check in the mail :)
Posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 20:59:12
In reply to Re: mental health coverage will change in 2010 » lucie lu, posted by kath on January 11, 2009, at 20:16:27
Yes, you're right, Kath, it is huge! Thanks for recognizing that :) I have a lot of respect for the Canadian health system, actually. And some other national health systems too; just don't want to get too political on this board.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 7:59:34
In reply to mental health coverage will change in 2010, posted by lucie lu on January 11, 2009, at 18:22:24
Hi Lucie Lu,
thanks for posting that info re the mental health parity - it's great news for everyone else.I already knew about it but most important for me is that my insurance ALREADY HAD PARITY ; in other words I could go as if it were a medical condition and it was covered even if I need to go 2x a week or whatever.
I am truly glad for everyone else. Mental health should never have had a limit to the number of visits, hospitalization, etc.
Abby
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 8:04:39
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by no_rose_garden on January 11, 2009, at 20:39:22
Hi guys,
I have an appointment this morning with my Psychologist and I would love to bring up this subject but it is so touchy, anything to do with money!
Should I just leave it alone and decide if I want to continue with her knowing how much the Clinic (not her private practice) gets, or somehow brig it up?
She also has a private practice and if I am being charged $235.00, maybe I should ask her if I can see her privately - it is a closer drive to her office there and also would not be subjected to the clinic which is not horrible, but a private setting would be much preferable to me. She hasn't mentioned it but I am sure she might go along with it.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 8:08:51
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot! » no_rose_garden, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 8:04:39
Above message is for everyone. I want so badly to say something about the charge. I truly don't feel I am getting that much benefit at almost FIVE DOLLARS per minute! I don't feel any transference. I like her just fine and she has some great insights at times, but I still don't feel a strong attachment to her!
Posted by lucie lu on January 12, 2009, at 12:24:15
In reply to Re: mental health coverage will change in 2010 » lucie lu, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 7:59:34
Hi Abby,
I know you live in central MA and that the state already has a parity law on the books. I like to think it was a pretty progressive move in itself. But (and most people don't know this), there are loopholes! Any institution or company that is considered self-funding is exempt from the state MH parity law. Self or privately insured exployer plans provide services through the major insurers, e.g. BC/BS, but the institution, rather than the insurer, provides the actual funds that are paid out to the doctor. This is really an accounting thing and not something the patient would even know about, i.e. it is invisible to the policy holder. Unfortunately there are more than a few large employers in the state who are thus exempt from parity and so retain special limits on MH visits and treatment that are otherwise illegal in the state. You'd be very surprised to know some of the employers who have allowed this. It is inequitable and really indefensible in my view. So the federal law will supercede state laws, closing loopholes like this one in MA and providing MH parity for all the states across the board. Thankfully.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 16:46:37
In reply to Re: My psychologist charges a lot! » Abby Cunningham, posted by raisinb on January 8, 2009, at 18:05:23
I just called Blue Cross/Blue Shield and found out from the horse's mouth, so to speak, that BC/BS pays $194.70 per 50 minute visit with PhD, along with my $10 copay, that comes to a grand total of $204.70 per 50 minute visit, which the hospital takes in.
Of course, they pay the PhD a salary, not per patient fee, so I have no idea what she really makes! I asked her about private therapy and she said she's about to close her practice; has no openings. Don't know what to think!
> Whoa!! My therapist's practice charges $150 a session, but like others, they have a deal with the insurance company so she does get only about $68. Sometimes I think that's ridiculously low--and sometimes I think she's overpaid.
Posted by lucie lu on January 12, 2009, at 17:17:59
In reply to ABOVE POST FOR EVERYONE- sorry, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 8:08:51
> Above message is for everyone. I want so badly to say something about the charge. I truly don't feel I am getting that much benefit at almost FIVE DOLLARS per minute! I don't feel any transference. I like her just fine and she has some great insights at times, but I still don't feel a strong attachment to her!
>
Abby,In our rush to share about the economics of being in therapy, it sounds as if we have unknowingly blown past the most important point of all - that you feel something is missing with this T and that makes you unhappy. And Abby, that is important. Sounds like maybe this T just isn't the best match for you. Therapy is about much more than money, it is a huge investment emotionally. It is a very important relationship, and if it is not working for you then you should acknowledge those feelings. Sorry for missing that.
Lucie
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 18:51:16
In reply to Re: ABOVE POST FOR EVERYONE- sorry » Abby Cunningham, posted by lucie lu on January 12, 2009, at 17:17:59
Thanks Lucie. I am somewhat discouraged and don't know what to do anymore. I am tempted to just quit therapy for now.
When I saw her today, she also came to get me in the waiting room 12 minutes late, so when we got to her office I started my iPhone timer so I would know when 50 minutes were up. I did not purposely do it for her to see; it was for my benefit because when we start late I don't always know if we've gone the whole allotted time. So, I checked the timer and found that I had about 20 minutes left, so I knew I could venture on to another subject! I hope this did not greatly offend her but it certainly helped me; I am so anxious that I cannot concentrate on a clock to keep time of our session. What a dunce or an antagonist I must have seemed to her! :-(
Abby
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2009, at 19:31:55
In reply to Re: ABOVE POST FOR EVERYONE- sorry » lucie lu, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 18:51:16
Abby sorry looks like we may be the same boat so to speak. I'm hoping you know what I'm referring to. Love Phillipa
Posted by Little Soul on January 12, 2009, at 21:54:56
In reply to My psychologist charges a lot!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 8, 2009, at 17:36:48
Abby - my T charges $95 per 45 minute session. My insurance covers $75 for 12 weeks, then you're on your own. I see her twice a week throughout the year and so end up paying out of pocket after 12 weeks $190 a week.
Little Soul
Posted by fleeting flutterby on January 13, 2009, at 9:13:51
In reply to What my insurance pays - not bad!, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 12, 2009, at 16:46:37
> I just called Blue Cross/Blue Shield and found out from the horse's mouth, so to speak, that BC/BS pays $194.70 per 50 minute visit with PhD, along with my $10 copay, that comes to a grand total of $204.70 per 50 minute visit, which the hospital takes in.<<
-------Oh my gosh!!! you just pay $10 !! Wow that is very lucky for you!(I've never had such a small co-pay) I guess Blue CRoss Blue Shield is good if you can be accepted in their exclusive group. :o( My husband is wanting to go into business for himself and we were denied coverage by BC/BS..... they said it was because I have endometriosis...... which is non-problematic for me(just have painful cramps once a month which I can and have lived with) So we applied to 4 other insurance companies and they all denied us coverage.(for the same reason-- and I'm quite healthy other than that one little thing) The fifth one said they'd cover us if we paid a monthly premium of $800 a month plus co-pay would be $40 for visits, with a limited number of them allowed.(there's no way we could afford that!) If my husband goes off on his own to work, then I guess we will do without doctors for a while or longer.I think you are quite lucky to have such good insurance. but I'm sorry that you aren't feeling "connected" with your current T.
flutterby-mandy
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