No more mental health benefits

Charlie Brown · Post by **Charlie Brown** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:11 am

I learned that I reached my yearly limit on mental health visits on my insurance, and thus have no more mental benefits. I had 60 visits and I unexpectedly learned I used all 60 visits.

I had wanted to go to a psychiatrist for med management but now would have to pay out of pocket. That's not going to work financially now. I could go to my general dr, who is great and would definitely prescribe meds. I was just hoping to go to a psychiatrist because that is their specialty. It's like if you had a stomach problem, you could go to a general MD but it would be better to go a specialist--a gastroenterologist.

I have mild anxiety and depression and am not a risk, but I have to address this.

So, if anyone has any suggestions/programs particularly in New York City...I would appreciate.

Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:13 pm

Hey CB -

I've run into the exact same problem. What I've worked out with my therapist is that we'll cut my sessions from one hour to 30 minutes and I'll only see her every other week rather than every week. Also, she's willing to charge me the reduced rate that my insurance pays. So even though I'll have to pay out of pocket for the entire appointment, it will be less than if I had no insurance at all. Perhaps you can work out something with your therapist as well.

Good luck,
Jamie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:04 am

Charlie -

I don't know what insurance you have, but for many a psychiatric appointment is not counted the same as talk therapy. I would call your insurance company and speak with someone there, tell them what's going on with you and ask if they will cover a psychiatry appointment.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:37 am

SeaRunner and Chrisitan73,

Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:58 am

Hi,

Your policy should state how many mental health visits you may have,same with medicare.I've been paying out of pocket for many years now.The world has little mercy for any type of anxiety or depression disorder,sorry to say,but that's reality.In my view they don't care about people with mental illness they would rather them go away !!!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:57 pm

Originally posted by Sit-N-Spin:
Hi,

Your policy should state how many mental health visits you may have,same with medicare.I've been paying out of pocket for many years now.The world has little mercy for any type of anxiety or depression disorder,sorry to say,but that's reality.In my view they don't care about people with mental illness they would rather them go away !!!!!

You've been paying out of pocket for so long?

?

Just to be fair: I did know how many visits I had from the beginning. I just didn't realized I went through them.

Yeah, I know what you're saying, Sit-N-Spin. My last job was actually in mental health and I heard of some policies having only 25 visits per year--much less than mine. Some even put a cap on how many times you can go see a psychiatrist for med management

.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:57 am

Try coaching. A lot of insurance covers coaching beyond the other lessons. This program also offers assisted coaching calls with it. Maybe you could use something like that?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:21 am

Thanks for the reply, Helping Hands.

Actually I just completed a coaching program that is given through my insurance.

I went back on Lexapro and it seems to be thankfully doing the trick. I don't feel so down that I need therapy. I've been feeling good.