$350 Psych Eval Derailed My Plans

[Misstxdiva 73]

So the only thing stopping me from getting my papers submitted is the psych evaluation. Tried to get this done "last year" psych place kept stalling. New insurance kicked in. They tell me $350 please or can do payment plan but we will harbor the report from the insurance company till its paid. I'm already in a financial burden as it is trying to save for this surgery. Was in the hospital last week. That set me back.I'm at my breaking point. My health is getting worse and nothing is going right. Maybe I'm just meant to be as is till I stop kicking. This is just so depressing. Not sure if I want to keep trying. Last thing I need. :-(

[Amanda 3.0 140]

Your insurance won't pay for the psychiatric evaluation? Have you asked the surgeon's office for a different psychiatrist referral? Maybe there is another office that is easier to work with?

How about those "CareCredit" places, that can give you a line of credit for medical expenses? I think those are low interest?

If you've jumped through all these hoops and all the mental/emotional strain, don't stop now! You can win this, don't give up.

[Misstxdiva 73]

Well the psych place told me with insurance it's be $350. Haven't met my deduct so that's what I pay out of pocket?

[Amanda 3.0 140]

I see... my insurance covered it with a $35 specialist co-pay. With so many different insurance plans it is very hard to be of help.

Still, I would use low-interest credit if needed and available. You've already made quite an investment in the procedure if this is your last hurdle.

[Misstxdiva 73]

Make matters worse just found out I have to do 2 more months of visits and will have to find a new surgeon so I can pay $0 out of pocket. No big deal about the surgeon just took me forever to find one I was comfortable with. Lord give me strength to hold it together and make it through. I know it'll be worth it.

[Tana_Q 20]

Oh how frustrating! I know how it feels when $350 feels like it might as well be $3,500. Can you try selling anything on eBay or Craigslist? I've done that before when I've been in a bind. You'd be surprised at what people will buy. Cut corners and throw any extra money to the side. I hope you can get this!

[circa 333]

see if you can find a psych office that will do the eval based on income? There are quite a few out there that will help with this sort of thing. I see you're in San Antonio - check out the Methodist Healthcare Ministries. http://www.mhm.org/clients/support-services/counseling-support-services

Perhaps this might be an option for you

[Writergirl 230]

My psych exam was going to cost $595, but the receptionist at the office told me she learned that if she submitted it as a new patient evaluation (as in I was going to be receiving ongoing therapy) insurance would cover it. If she submitted it as a pre-surgical psych report they would not. Maybe you can find someone who will submit it that way if your insurance normally covers mental health counseling. Good luck!

[Misstxdiva 73]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Going to have to look into things. This has me so stressed out!

[Rootman 1,101]

This is just plain NUTS, IMHO there is NOTHING the psych eval does to warrent $350 or more. This is just greed pure and simple.

I feel for you and hope you are able to get past this issue and make a positive change in your life. I wish you the best!

[dom1985 6]

Hi,

I had the same problem with my psych eval. They actually told me that if the doctor approved me for surgery, than the appt. WOULDN'T be covered by insurance. They too wanted $350. I ended up calling about 15 different psych offices and finally got one that would do it for $100! She didn't have me take any tests or anything. She just asked me questions (about 30 mins) about what kind of support I had at home, basically to make sure I was ready. She faxed the clearance the next week!

I would suggest calling around to different offices. GOOD LUCK!!

[Misstxdiva 73]

Thanks Rootman and Dom1985. I spoke with my insurance coordinator at the surgeons office and she recommended me to a place. Funny thing is the $350 place was recommended by the office, the lady was outraged that with insurance it'd cost that much! So I'm going to a $75 place. It's the LAST piece I need for my file. So I hope to get that done this month so That on my last appointment in March they will send off my file! I feel better now. Least I won't pay $350 and 2 more months will be here before you know it. Got my out of pocket quotes and ready to get this going!

[circa 333]

awesome news! I'm so glad you were able to find somewhere that was reasonable! My first thought about the $350.00 is that hearing that WOULD make me mentally unstable! Maybe they were trying to get a return patient!

[Misstxdiva 73]

Funny this with the insurance the most they could charge was $350 since I didn't meet my deductible yet. Yet regular rate was $225 without insurance....WTF? Ugh those people made me mad, glad I didn't give in and do it after all.

[Estella 11]

Your insurance won't pay for the psychiatric evaluation? Have you asked the surgeon's office for a different psychiatrist referral? Maybe there is another office that is easier to work with? How about those "CareCredit" places, that can give you a line of credit for medical expenses? I think those are low interest? If you've jumped through all these hoops and all the mental/emotional strain, don't stop now! You can win this, don't give up.

I seriously don't get this. How come the richest country in the world cannot provide its citizens with universal health care? I live in Israel, and we're far from a socialist country. In fact, during the last decade, all our prime ministers were conservative - and I still paid 28 Shekels (roughly 7 USD) per doctor visit, including psych evaluation. How can anyone afford the cost of medical treatments there?