Should a Psych. charge my insurance a $195.00 psychotherapy session for writing a prescription?!?
I have ADHD and have to go monthly to have a prescription handed to me in person by my Psychst. since it’s a controlled substance medication. I am in the office a mere 10 minutes but I noticed he charges my insurance a 60 min psychotherapy session at 5.00 and a copay to me of . Anyone else think this is kind of shady? Should I blow the whistle? I feel guilty because I know how crappy our health insurance/system is in the USA right now and is this perhaps an example of why? HELP!!!!
Posted in psychotherapy office
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March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
There is nothing shady about it. The minimum they can charge is an hour and the Medical Board/Society recently passed the law that all prescriptions now must be given only with an appointment, whether it’s a narcotic or antidepressant. I know it doesn’t sound right or fair, but it’s the way it is now and I think because there are so many people abusing meds, this is supposed to be the better way in the long run. Time will tell.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Why not ask about his billing practices first and see why he charged the full hour rate for a refill only…typically the rates are broken down into quarter hours. If his answer isn’t satisfactory, then just let him know you’d like to see the billing code and cross reference with the billing practices and your EOB (Explanation of Benefits) that your insurance company sent you…
But, yes, this seems excessive. Not only that, you’re going to a pretty expensive therapist.
Peace,
Baldy
March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Did you know-psychiatrists have the largest crime rate? They have the highest rate of commiting rape, murder, assault, fraud, drug dealing and so on of all the medical professions. You can do some reading online and see all the fraud and non proven claims about drugs too. Some docs even get grants of millions from drug companies. That’s not fair research. Prozac is shown no better than a placebo lately.
Psychiatrists claim that a person needs a drug to combat their chemical imbalance in the brain which is causing a persons mental disorder. However, the concept that a brain-based, chemical imbalance underlies mental illness is false. While popularized by heavy public marketing, it is simply psychiatric wishful thinking. As with all of psychiatric disease models, it has been thoroughly discredited by researchers.
Diabetes is a biochemical imbalance. However, as Harvard psychiatrist Joseph Glenmullen states, the definitive test and biochemical imbalance is a high blood sugar balance level. Treatment in severe cases is insulin injections, which restore sugar balance. The symptoms clear and retest shows the blood sugar is normal. Psychiatrists do not draw blood to determine the presence of a biochemical imbalance in patients.
Bad past/putdowns,rejection/father gone lets other things start. Anorexia, cutting, OCD, anxiety, panic attacks, hearing voices, psychic dreams can all come from a tramautic past and verbal abuse. Its opens doors to the negative and they start to dwell closeby. They have problems not you. Its the hurting mean people that have caused your sadness. You are just reacting to it and having emotions. God allows emotions and docs try to cover it up.
Mens counseling is folly to Gods ways.
Read "Emotional abuse" websites see how people think. Read about 40.
Google "Deliverance Prayers"- stops sadness.
Google "Sinners Prayers"- makes a path to God
March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
As long as you go in, that gives them the right to charge an office visit. If you don’t need the counselling and you’ve already been diagnosed, change to a family physician or cheaper doctor who will write you a prescription (plus refills!!) without requiring you to come in each month. You don’t need to pay for monthly office visits on top of the meds. Otherwise, call your insurance company and ask what they suggest. They probably assume you’re having sessions every month.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
I am so agree with you! I’ve been ordering through http://www.pharmacynextdoor.com for several years and have had a very positive experience with them. i’m also one of the many uninsured in the U.S. and i’m so angry with the greed of the pharmaceutical companies that even if i had coverage i would probably continue with Nextdoor pharmacy. the fact that we’re so overcharged in this country makes me livid. i have no choice at the moment – need medicine to survive but do not have prescription for it, i’m forced to buy prescription drugs overseas. Sometimes I also use http://www.controlledpills.com/prices.php?aff_id=73755&sub=346 , depends what pills I need. Both pharmacies seem to be legitimate and using them for a few years I find their service great.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am
I dont think thats right. Hes gettin rich off your ten minute visits. Thats theft. And we wonder why our health care systems are so high.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:36 am
My therapist has 35 minute sessions for regular psychotherapy. I figure she is cutting the time because insurance doesn’t reimburse her enough.