How Do You Manage Without A Therapist? - Insurance Changing

[KwanYingirl]

I’m disabled so I have Medicare with a supplement. It looks like I have to change companies as my meds are expensive and I need a plan with low copays. The best company in my state is United Healthcare. My therapist doesn’t accept Medicare, so I’ll have to stop seeing him. Not the preferred way of stopping therapy, but I can’t afford his fee. It’s possible I may be able to file my claim and get reimbursed.
This is a bad time of year for me. Lots of reliving incidents along with the anxiety. I guess my question is how do you manage without a therapist?

 

[Abstract]

Im so sorry. That is hard. I don't know. I have. Partly and mostly because I became so freaked out about therapy and partly about the expense of seeing someone who would be suitable.

Are their alternatives instead of stopping completely? Have you discussed this with him ?

 

[piratelady]

Is there a therapist there who accepts Medicare? Or does your therapist offer a sliding scale fee?

 

[KwanYingirl]

I asked him if he accepts Medicare and he said no. There is a mental health agency that has sliding scales, but it is like a slaughter house. Reviving door of therapists because the greater load of clients seen to make up for people who can’t pay anything. I saw someone briefly about having EMDR but the atmosphere there just depressed me. It’s crawling with too many clients, too much noise. I couldn’t stand it.

 

[Abstract]

could you ask him if there is any way he could give you a reduced rate until you get past your difficult patch?

 

[Missycat]

So sorry that you are going through this. Have you spoken to him about your concerns? Asked him about a sliding scale? Ending therapy for me was hard although me and my t knew i was ready and well enough. I had been in therapy for approx 2 years . I surprised myself how well i did and how i coped and i put all i had learned in session into practice . What helped was knowing it was ending so we could work together to prepare me for that. Due to circumstances i cant share i went back to therapy after a approx 3.5 months and see my t via skype as she moved out of my area. I know this is only for the short term as its to help me through this particular problem.
So in answer to your question , i managed by calling upon the new skills i had learned, the coping mechanisms i had developed and honed and i also found something to fill the ‘session time’ ie a hobby so i had something to focus on and a new goal.
I know this is tough for you and i wish you all the best.

 

[Skywatcher]

I wonder about you trying online therapy in this gap time? Also, I go to a Christian therapy center that does offer a sliding scale, it depends on the time of day whether the waiting room is crowded or not. I go in the morning and there is rarely more than 0-2 people in the waiting room. I once went in the afternoon and swear everyone must have brought friends and family along! If they know that you have crowd issues, they may work something out with you.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Great ideas. I’m meeting with the insurance agent next week, but it’s a Medicare advantage plan so my therapist might go for it. Medicare takes up to 9 months to pay a bill, but this dude said they get there’s out under 30 days.