ERP Therapists Not Taking Insurance

[Snowyowl17]

I have had OCD for over 40 years and have had multiple treatments both good and bad. I have sought ERP therapy several times over the years and have come to a real crossroads from an ethical standpoint re: this notion about private pay. I have always been told by therapists that it’s bc sessions usually go over the 50 minutes...of the five ERP (reputable) therapists I saw, not once did my session go over. I have so many questions...

1. Because it is such a specialized therapy, and they have a wait list most likely, aren’t they able to charge what they want? Kind of like a captive audience.

2. Why do only the rich people who have OCD get to seek treatment?

3. Why don’t we put more grant money from IOcDF into finding ways to get insurance to cover treatment? I went online recently and looked up the therapists in my area listed on their site, and 100% didn’t take insurance, therapy costs range from $175-$350! That is outrageous! I don’t even live in a major city.

4. I love love all the advocacy work I see out there but there needs to be more push back from patients seeking treatment to therapists that they find a way to carry insurance. Everyone deserves a chance to get better.

[Hidden]

I could not agree with you more. There should be a fundraising arm of the IOCDF to pay for cutting-edge treatment for those of us with OCD who can't afford it. What could be a better use of the funds? Research and advocacy are important, but it doesn't reach most of us unless treatment is high-quality and affordable. Do you have a university or a medical school in your area? That is one possible resource you could try. Sorry. This must be aggravating and exhausting.

[Thistle303 in reply to Hidden]

Exactly. Research builds validity of treatment methods which increases access to funding.........

[Thistle303]

I am totally with you on this. I intersect this world personally as a person with OCD and as a licensed counselor. It took me a year to find someone who took my insurance. I ran into the same difficulty myself, finding people who only charged hundreds of dollars for one session, this was infuriating given the fact that OCD made working dysfunctional therefore I had no money to pay for treatment, nor did my family. I think this issue is so important. Someday if I start working with clients with OCD I will ALWAYS take medicaid. If a therapist ever uses the excuse that Medicaid is too much paperwork, run the other way, its a lie, it's super manageable, i know this as a medicaid provider. I had a therapist string me along to keep me in their support group for about a year and at the end of every session I would ask when we could book and she would put me off then gladly book with her working "higher return" clients. She was a complete crook. When I confronted her about this she agreed to schedule individual sessions every few months, and continued putting me off. FYI, no health professional is allowed to take money from a person on medicaid, its illegal.

Mental health issues are not exclusive to the financially privileged, therefore treatment should not be reserved for them alone.

I believe that health professionals choose to do private pay in order to make up for the costs of training and costs of maintaining a practice, but its completely disproportionate and greed takes over. This said therapist above mind you in the same session told her clients how she was raising her individual rate and wanted a RANGE ROVER. Thanks for listening, that still pisses me off.

Finally, because there are no government regulations on the insurance participation with clinicians, i believe this is where we run into the pricey therapy problem.

[fredastaire in reply to Thistle303]

I so agree with both of you and we seem to be in the same age range snowyowl. I've spent my whole life meeting obnoxious therapists, who say they are a specialist and wont take medicare or medicaid. We need mental health parity in this country, and if anyone is going to start working on something a good person to start with, is Joseph p. Kennedy in Boston. He cares about this. I would like to get involved , but always felt it was just too much for me alone. If you guys would like to start a mental health parity bill into action I want to be part of it. Thank you

[Mabelocd]

Snowyowl, I couldn't agree more. I have never been adequately treated either due to my location and economic class.

[fredastaire]

I left my remarks with earthbo.

[kellikaye]

I feel your pain! I would suffer with my OCD because I could not afford therapy. I was fortunate years later to get on my husband’s health insurance once we got married and found ONE psychiatrist that specializes in OCD and took my insurance. It was a game changer. He’s ending his practice so now I’m back in your boat. But there is hope!! This guy who has OCD started an app called NOCD and you do teletherapy with a therapist and THEY TAKE INSURANCE!!! My copay is going to be $15!! I start in September so I can let you know how it goes but this is a great program in my opinion. You should all check it out!! They are trained in ERP and OCD therapy specifically.

[grayson12 in reply to kellikaye]

I agree insurance is a problem with therapist and psychiatrist. I checked around and was fortunate to find a therapoist and psychiatrist that takes medicare and my BCBS Supplemental Insurance. My experience is thatthey do not want to handle all of the paper work or they think they will get more fee if you are selfpay.

All of my other other physicians except medicare. It is just in the mental

health area where you see therapist not excepting insurance and in particular Medicare (Age 65 and above). Medicare usually pay 80% of

normal and reasonable charge. For example, my therapist charge $135

per session and Medicare pays around $100 of reasonable charge. The supplement usually pays $27.00. therefore this ends up being only $7

less than the normal fee. I can assume the hoursly session is reasonable

and customary. The problem may be in other areas where the therapist

charges a higher amount like $200 to $300 then the thereapist losses

on Medicare as the reasonable and customary rate is lower than their

fee.

I agree with an early person. Try your medical schools or programs. There is a need for Medicare and the therapist to come to some solution.

this leaves the older generation in a Catch 22 situation. No insurance and retired with lesser income. Another point, I do not see many therapist

suggesting a lower fee when they do not accept insurance or Medicare.

The patien needs to bring this point up and I believe you can get a lower

fee charge if you push this. Look for those who mention a payment scale

if they do not accept insurance.

I hope this helps those who have not gone thourgh this maze before.

Good Luck