Search for Med Management

Wanted to share (vent) my experience with finding someone to help with medication management. As you know, I have been looking since the beginning of this year. I started off by searching names on my insurance company's website. Wound up calling about 15 people, not sure of the exact number I called because I lost track. Out of these 15, they either didn't do med management (even though my insurance website claimed they did), weren't accepting new patients, or didn't call me back. There was also one that asked me to schedule an appt during my normal work hours, 40 mins away from my office. I guess if I was 'really' bad, and couldn't work, I could make that happen. However, since I am trying to function in a 'normal' 9-5 society, this would not be easy for me. After hearing what a good resource a friend's Therapist seemed to be, I asked if she could possibly send forward any referrals. Luckily, she responded quite quickly with a list of names. I was able to find someone willing to meet with me at 8am, which means I will only be 30 mins late to work that day. She was more communicative and responsive than any of the first 15+ I called. I'm optimistic. As expected, she doesn't take insurance. I pay up front and hopefully get something reimbursed. I don't blame her for not taking insurance. To me, this is the issue. I guess if I was 'really' bad, I could admit myself, or be admitted, into a mental hospital. I'd have access to professionals 24/7. However, since I am trying to function in a 'normal' society, I have to lie/make excuses on why I am going to be late to work and etc. I have to sneak around like I am doing something bad. It's degrading. To myself and to mental health overall. The fact that my insurance company website isn't updated. The fact that so many of the best Therapists and Psychs around don't even deal with insurance, because of how much that negatively impacts their business and interactions with clients. The fact that those same Therapists and Psychs can change amounts of money that most people trying to function on a 'normal' salary cannot afford. I consider myself lucky that because I have a good salary, and don't have kids, I can afford this right now. But what about if/when those factors change? I think about all of the people that might WANT help, yet it's simply not available to them. It's time for a change.

The Hardship of Finding Help

So, as mentioned in an earlier blog, I decided to leave my former Psychiatrist (who also did Therapy). I know how unique that was to get both services provided by one person. It was relatively easy to find a new Therapist and I have done that, however, finding a new Psychiatrist for my medication management has been 'The Pits'. In January of this year my insurance kicked in with my new job, and I was eager for it as I knew it would be an improvement from my last insurance in regard to mental health. I have been searching on the website my insurance provider has, and am not having any luck. So many numbers on there are not really people who 'do' medication management. Other people are not accepting new patients. Other people just don't call me back. This is immensely frustrating, and pretty easy to see why people just give up...or, even worse, never get started in the first place. Something needs to be done for those people trying to help themselves.