Feeling abandoned by insurance

[WaterMyMind]

I recently had my insurance change companies in the new year and it has really messed up my health care situation. I had to leave an IOP and then also my therapist isn't covered by this insurance. I have been able to see them a few times since everything went down at a discount, but the discount is only for a few more sessions. I am looking for providers either in network or with a cheap sliding scale out of pocket price. There aren't as many options as I would've hoped, and it seems like a lot of them don't have hours after the work day. I am seeking employment and I don't want that to mean that I have to change therapists again but more and more it seems like that will be how it has to go. Either that, or request that my employer accommodate the weekly therapy appointments during work hours and what I would have to do to make up for that. I had a therapist I genuinely liked. I just feel like I don't have a lot of options, and that I will have to get a temp therapist I'll get very little progress with and then yet another therapist when I get a job. I just feel kinda abandoned by insurance, and how they told me none of my care providers are gonna be able to see me anymore. It makes symptoms flare up for sure.

[Indiegal]

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Insurance can be very frustrating and I've gone through the same things. I don't really have any good options for therapy locally and there was an issue with my Teledoc account that no one could help me with so I could no longer meet with someone online through there. I have had better success through BetterHelp with finding a good therapist. It can be a little expensive since they don't take insurance in most states (assuming you're in the US), but they do offer discounts based on income. And they have therapists who work all different schedules. So I would check it out. You could continue to use them outside of insurance even if yours changes if it's cost effective for you.

[WaterMyMind in reply to Indiegal]

I’ve heard a lot of stuff about better help not being as good. But it’s good to hear some people have had success with it!

[Indiegal in reply to WaterMyMind]

I'm sure it depends on the therapist you get. I was lucky to get a good one the first time. I'm not currently using it (although I've been thinking of starting back up again), but I've started and stopped a few times because of my finances. And I was able to meet with the same therapist each time, which was nice to not have to start all over with someone knew. And she remembered or had really good notes about our past sessions, which pleasantly surprised me.

[WaterMyMind in reply to Indiegal]

Well that is good to know about!

[CLB1125]

This really sucks. Insurance companies have too much control over our lives. Have you looked into better help? They don’t accept insurance but they are flexible with hours and how you conduct your sessions.

[WaterMyMind in reply to CLB1125]

Better help will probably be what I do for now. I’ve been trying really hard to find someone new but I think even in the meantime it would bring me some relief to have someone to talk to

[CLB1125]

I tried it once and didn’t connect with the therapist at all. The second time I got a wonderful woman. So if you do go and don’t like the therapist ask for a new one. I would message her in between sessions and she always responded. But my husband retired and I couldn’t afford it anymore. I was able to find one within my insurance virtual care, but they decided to use a new company “Teladoc”. I saw someone mention them. I am always anxious starting something new.I thought about starting again but I have had to change my pcp, neurologist and now therapist so I am a little burnt out on repeating myself over and over again. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. But we’re always here to support you.🙂

[jhughes8781]

WMM - If your job changed carriers, I'm not sure ALL are like Aetna, and I'm not advocating for or anything, i am sure they all do it. But i contacted my insurance 1st, then they said a case manager would put me in touch based on conversation of my needs and would go from there. I got my general care reset but it was a pain til i got in touch with them.

See if your carrier has a case manager or someone like that who can assist you on your journey.

My other experience with insurance, I was in a facility, the paperwork had been submitted long before and if werent for the director, the prior insurance company was refusing to pay for a period during the change over and were attempting to have me put out. Very frustrating and stupid ordeal that i had no control over. BUT, he was familiar with the scheme so he straightened that out to where i was ok til the new insurance hit at the 1st of the month.

They can really leave you in a way but they can also do you good for what resources are available. Half of it I didn't know til spending a lot of time on my benefits site.