Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 276509

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Therapy and Insurance

Posted by Miss Honeychurch on November 4, 2003, at 13:01:45

I just completed my 15 pre-approved sessions of therapy last week. I of course have been terrified that
would be it and I would be terminated. My therapist however says he is taking care of getting more sessions
approved. I am 34 and being treated for mild depression and anxiety.

Does anyone know how this process works? How likely would it be for my insurance company to approve more
sessions? Isn't short term therapy all they want these days?

I feel my therapist and I have just scratched the surface with my problems and have a lot more work to do. I fear
since I am not suicidal or a threat to others that my insurance
company will close the door on me.

If I had to pay on my own, I could only afford one session a month which seems pointless to me.
Currently I am at one session per week.

Does anyone know how insurance companies make their decisions???

Re: Therapy and Insurance - Anxiety about it

Posted by sadmom on November 4, 2003, at 14:02:10

In reply to Therapy and Insurance, posted by Miss Honeychurch on November 4, 2003, at 13:01:45

Insurance companies are interested in the bottom-line as in dollars and cents. The therapists usually know some tricks to get more therapy.

I've been anxious myself about my insurance for next year. I currently have a max of 30 counseling sessions per year. At my job we have open enrollment for next year right now, and I was extremely worried that my insurance selection that I have would either be cut, or have the # of therapy sessions reduced. I was extremely relieved that the only mental health thing they cut this year was mental in-patient max days was reduced from 45 to 30 days.

It sounds like you have a HMO, I try to avoid those because they are not friendly about mental health. I like the insurance where you can pick your own doctors, but it does cost more.

My therapist is $95/hr. After I have paid either a $500 individual deductible or a $1000 family deductible, they pay 70%. So now it costs me $28.50 a session.

I wish I could go once or twice a week like some people here do. How do you afford it?

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