Self pay psych visit costs???

[beanie80 146]

I'm self pay for my lap band and I just got a call from the psychologists office where I need to do a pre-op screening. For 2 visits and some test they said it will be $800!! Has anyone else done self pay for the psych pre-op? If so, how much did you pay???

[labwalker 1,177]

If I was self pay I wouldn't be afraid to negotiate the fee in advance. It doesn't hurt to ask!!!! My dentist gives me a discount for cash, now that I am retired and don't have dental insurance. I had to ask him for discount, and he offered it.

But, if I may ask, I have a question? Why two pysch visits? Most doctors and insurance companies only require visit. Is this a requirement that your surgeon has in place? Would he considering waving it and accepting one pysch evaluation?

I have Optum Health for bariatric, and they are hard to deal with. They required one visit.

Good luck to you,.

[kazjim98 618]

I paid $150 for the one pysch visit that was required...I had a referral and it was covered by my insurance but I couldn't find anyone in my network that would do it, so I paid myself...$800 seems outrageous to me....I hope you can either go somewhere else or get that amount reduced some how...Best Wishes

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I'm self pay for my lap band and I just got a call from the psychologists office where I need to do a pre-op screening. For 2 visits and some test they said it will be $800!! Has anyone else done self pay for the psych pre-op? If so, how much did you pay???

Oh my! Mine was covered by insurance, but I've heard people say their self-pay psych visit was $250.00. Which is pretty expensive for what they do (or don't do). To be honest, I don't see why the testing can't be done anywhere and submitted for review by a psychologist, it's really no big deal...344 questions on 1 test and maybe 15 on the initial form. Not $800.00 worth of testing, for sure. Keep looking around for a better rate, that's really expensive.

[beanie80 146]

I think it is outrageous too! I just called to double check with the psych office to make sure they knew I was only having lap band and they said it was still $800. I just sent an e-mail to my surgeon's bariatric coordinator to see if she had someone else to recommend. I work with the surgeon in the hospital so I'm hoping I can grab him and ask if he will waive this or at least reduce it to one visit. This is perposterous.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I paid $150 for the one pysch visit that was required...I had a referral and it was covered by my insurance but I couldn't find anyone in my network that would do it, so I paid myself...$800 seems outrageous to me....I hope you can either go somewhere else or get that amount reduced some how...Best Wishes

Checked out your ticker and you are doing a phenomenal job! Please share your secrets!!!

[dawalsh 919]

Checked out your ticker and you are doing a phenomenal job! Please share your secrets!!!

I paid $250 cash upfront for a psychological evaluation. My insurance does not cover it eventhough they require it before any WLS.

So $800 seems rather costly. Are you using a psychiatrist or a psychologist? A psychiatrist is a medical doctor so it may cost more but $800 still seems steep.

[beanie80 146]

I was referred to a psychologist. My personal psychiatrist charges less! she just doesn't do these types of appointments.

[kazjim98 618]

Checked out your ticker and you are doing a phenomenal job! Please share your secrets!!!

Well thank you!! I track everything I put in my mouth, no heavy exercise, I just walk my dog 7 days a week, I drink Water like it's going out of style and I eat very little processed food. But I want to be healthy so bad that I will not let myself deviate from my plan even a bit...Best Wishes PrettyThick

Beanie~I think the one visit request is the way to go! I wish you luck

[kll724 3,055]

Seems like $250.00 is the going rate, because that is what I paid too.

[Noki124 36]

I'm required to go to two appts as well. I was referred to a psych office that doesn't take my insurance and out of pocket would be $150 per visit. I did some shopping around and found one that accepts my insurance so I only have a co-pay.

[Creekwood 702]

Even though I'm self-pay I was able to bill through insurance as a mental health wellness evaluation, so I paid $15. But if I were to pay it would have been $100. This was for one visit, that seems VERY high!!

[beanie80 146]

I found a place that will do one 2 hour long visit for $500. I guess I'll keep calling around to see if I can get anything cheaper....

[beanie80 146]

Hallelujah! Found a psych place willing to do my assessment for $300! It pays to shop around people

[texas.whirlwind.1975 13]

I'm self-pay but my doctor includes the psych, dietician and all that in his fee, so I'm not paying any additional for it.