Psych Eval

[flmama 105]

The only two doctors in my area that provide psychiatric testing and are on my insurance (yes, all two of them) don't have any availability to do my psych eval. So I'm going to have to go to someone and pay cash.

How much was your psych eval if you had to pay cash?

[caznoid17 3]

My psyc evaluation was $580 but I use insurance. They said if you're cash it would be like $350, I think.

[NurseGrace 509]

The only two doctors in my area that provide psychiatric testing and are on my insurance (yes, all two of them) don't have any availability to do my psych eval. So I'm going to have to go to someone and pay cash.

How much was your psych eval if you had to pay cash?

So when you say they dont have any availability what do you mean? Have they told you flat out that they WILL NOT see you? I would NOT pay cash for an eval if you have insurance, I would press them harder, that is unacceptable.

[flmama 105]

So when you say they dont have any availability what do you mean? Have they told you flat out that they WILL NOT see you? I would NOT pay cash for an eval if you have insurance, I would press them harder, that is unacceptable.

Meaning, one could see me in August and one could see me in October.

My surgical consult is February 6. I would be happy to wait for an appointment later in February or March, but 7-9 months is a little much, no?

[NurseGrace 509]

Meaning, one could see me in August and one could see me in October.

My surgical consult is February 6. I would be happy to wait for an appointment later in February or March, but 7-9 months is a little much, no?

THAT IS A CRAZY WAIT. Can you contact your insurance company to ask for a prior authorization to step out of network considering the situation you find yourself in?

[flmama 105]

I know, it's a crazy long wait! For some reason, not many doctors in our area take our new coverage. We could only pick from 2 pediatricians. 3 or 4 PCPs...2 of them had waits until August/September too, luckily one had just added a doctor and I was able to get in right away.

A prior auth is pending...that was my first thought too. Even if they will just pay for part of it, that would be awesome. They told me it could be several days before I hear back. A psych eval is my surgeon's requirement, not the insurance company...the nurse on the pre-cert line kept saying "we don't require a psych evaluation..." So I was just looking for some worst-case scenario $$ info if I have to go OOP.

My surgeon is 4 hours away, and I did see if I could get an appointment with someone in their area that they work with, but I haven't had any luck with people returning my phone calls yet.

My FSA will totally cover my deductible and OOP for the surgery, so if all that is standing between me and getting it done is $200-300 for a psych eval, I'll totally pay it.