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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stephan on April 23, 2001, at 1:23:27
I am 30, male, and in the process of trying to find a doctor to diagnose and treat my adult A.D.D. with standard medications. I only just recently realized (through research and putting the pieces together) the extent to which my unrealized and untreated ADD has affected the course of my life thus far. I believe I have a strong and legititmate need for stimulant type medications. (Also, I have difficulty holding a job for very long to have a better health plan, and therefore don't have much money to spend on doctors visits...a catch-22.)
I have individual PPO insurance with Blue Cross California, and they will not cover me seeing a psychiatrist ("mental health") until after I have met a $2500 deductible, so that is why I am looking for a neurologist, general practioner, or endocrinologist ("physical health") to treat me. The only claim I have ever submitted to this insurance company is below.
A couple years ago, I made the mistake of asking a Dr.'s billing dept. to see if I could get a doctors visit, in which I was prescribed a permit to use medical marijuana, covered by the same insurance co. The insurance co. declined, but has the request on record/file now.
However, I recently spoke to their representatives and they told me that, specifically in regards to Adult A.D.D., there is a review process to determine whether or not they will cover any expenses once a claim is submitted. They also said that it depends how the doctor words the diagnosis and suggested treatment protocol...ie. if he/she states the ADD is deemed to be a "medical condition". Still, I am unsure if they will cover costs incurred, and I don't even have the money to risk playing with in an attempt to get diagnosed and treated, since I could end up having to foot the $150-300 for a single initial office visit consultation being billed to me. (Even with a positive ADD diagnosis, which is not certain, though the bill will be. Plus, I may have to check out more than one doctor to get an affirmative ADD diagnosis.) So I am looking for some feedback as to my situation, as well as possible options or recommended protocols.
I am worried about how this previous claim for a request to cover a medical marijuana prescription is going to make me look when asking them to cover the necessary doctors visits, and any Schedule II stimulant medications needed by me, to my insurance company. I worry that it might look to them that I am on round two of simply trying to get another kind of scheduled "drug" for illigitimate uses perhaps, given my age in relation to ADD, compunded with the marijuana issue. (BTW, there is no other record of anything else having to do with drug use in my life record.) I am thinking that if this marijuana issue delegitamatizes my claim further in their eyes, I dont have much of a chance for being treated so I can live a more productive and rewarding life. If so, aside from any other (unknown) resources, my only chance for treatment seems to be to manage to hold down a job with my untreated ADD until the health benefits kick in, before I can begin* treatment.Any feedback, information, suggestions, or links to resources is appreciated. Also, links to avenues of low cost / community resources appreciated.
P.S. A related question, is if I switch* insurance companys, via an employee plan or self-purchased, will the new co. be able to find out about this previous medical marijuana issue as well? If so, how?
Thanks in advance,
Stephan
Posted by Stephan on April 23, 2001, at 1:48:06
In reply to Adult ADD insurance coverage question..., posted by Stephan on April 23, 2001, at 1:23:27
I have not currently using, nor have I been using marijuana since the time my prescription expired about two years ago; (though i'm sure the insurance co. has no idea about this either way.)
Posted by stjames on April 23, 2001, at 14:11:59
In reply to PS, posted by Stephan on April 23, 2001, at 1:48:06
I am an adult and have never had an insurance co.
not pay for ADD. I did sometimes have to fight, but I always received coverage.James
Posted by kazoo on May 6, 2001, at 11:04:32
In reply to Adult ADD insurance coverage question..., posted by Stephan on April 23, 2001, at 1:23:27
> I am worried about how this previous claim for a request to cover a medical marijuana prescription is going to make me look when asking them to cover the necessary doctors visits, and any Schedule II stimulant medications needed by me, to my insurance company. I worry that it might look to them that I am on round two of simply trying to get another kind of scheduled "drug" for illigitimate uses perhaps, given my age in relation to ADD, compunded with the marijuana issue. (BTW, there is no other record of anything else having to do with drug use in my life record.) I am thinking that if this marijuana issue delegitamatizes my claim further in their eyes, I dont have much of a chance for being treated so I can live a more productive and rewarding life. If so, aside from any other (unknown) resources, my only chance for treatment seems to be to manage to hold down a job with my untreated ADD until the health benefits kick in, before I can begin* treatment.^^^^^^^
Dear Stephan:
You are over-rationalizing and projecting your own thoughts on how they may react. You have no idea what they're going to say or think, so you're setting yourself up for an anticipated disappointment. Don't drive yourself crazy with this stuff, and just do what you feel is right for *you*. And don't over-explain to them anything. I don't care how complicated the situation is, or how convoluted it may appear, the fact of the matter is that when you over-do anything you tend to appear insincere and false.Richard Nixon (remember him?) once said (and I paraphrase here): "When someone over states their case in order to prove something, they're usually lying." Case in point: Mr. Nixon himself. I don't know if he said this previously to, or during, or after the Watergate scandal. I'll try to find the full quote, with the date, and post it.
If you want to know why amphetamines were given a bad rap, and looked at with disdain, go to this website I recently put up:
http://www.geocities.com/zoots90210/index.htm
Bear in mind that the article is from an old law text book, and was written in 1972. Though the author offers some incorrect, jaded opinions, the facts re. this period and Act are accurate. Very intriguing.
You'll do alright ...
(a concerned) kazoo
This is the end of the thread.
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