Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Psychiatric Evaluation Cost



Recommended Posts

I received a letter from my surgeon telling me that the next step is to get a psyciatric evaluation along with names of five doctors. I called to set up an appointment with one which will include an hour appointment and then she will submit a written report to my doctor. The charge will be $400 out-of-pocket. I called my insurance and they said they will most likely not cover it because the psycs that don't accept insurance billing normally haven't gone through the steps to be accepted by insurances.

I call the surgeon's office and ask if I could chose someone closer to home and was told I could but they had to be board certified and have a PhD. I was unable to find anyone with these qualifications.

What I'm wondering is if $400 seems like a normal charge for this appointment or is it high?

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it's high. Mine was $200 I think.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I thought it was high. The $400 is probably paying for the high rent in Santa Barbara. I think I'll call a couple of the other doctors.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I paid $300 in Reno.My ins. covered just about everything but that silly pysch. eval.

This is probably because a psych eval would fall under mental health benefits for your insurance company, which is usually different than your medical benefits.

That said, mine's $325 (in chicagoland) and will be paid by insurance but which falls under my $500 deductible, so I"ll be paying it out of pocket.

- jen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I received a letter from my surgeon telling me that the next step is to get a psyciatric evaluation along with names of five doctors. I called to set up an appointment with one which will include an hour appointment and then she will submit a written report to my doctor. The charge will be $400 out-of-pocket. I called my insurance and they said they will most likely not cover it because the psycs that don't accept insurance billing normally haven't gone through the steps to be accepted by insurances.

I call the surgeon's office and ask if I could chose someone closer to home and was told I could but they had to be board certified and have a PhD. I was unable to find anyone with these qualifications.

What I'm wondering is if $400 seems like a normal charge for this appointment or is it high?

Thanks!

WOW that is expensive. I had my pysc appointment today, and it was $50 and the next one will also be $50. I had to take a bunch of tests (t/f and scale of 1-5 things) and they will "score" them and my next appointment we will discuss the results....and I am also in IL...

:frown:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I received my list of "recommended" psychologists and ran into the same issue. Even though none were listed as being covered by my insurance, when I called to set up an appt, I asked about cost and insurance. Apparently, there are certain codes they can use to get insurance to cover the eval. The Dr. I spoke with yesterday informed me that most insurance will pay if you file it a certain way. He asked that I pay for half his charge, then, if and when insurance pays, he would send me a refund, if any. That worked for me. So, just do some calling around with your fingers crossed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I called two other doctors on the list and received a call back from one of them. He charges $300 so I decided to go with him and cancelled the other doctor. I thought I would like a female doctor better but talked to the one I switched to and he seemed really nice. I'm also surprised that his appointment is 2 hours vs. 1 hour for the more expensive one and he said that he will file my insurance paperwork even though I have to pay him up front.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×