I scheduled my psych visit last Wednesday and the receptionist called me the next day to tell me that:

1. The visit actually requires 2 co-pays ($15 each) because one is for the talk and the other is for the test - and -
   
2. I also have to pay an additional $100 for the psych to write the report and send it to the surgeon because my insurance will not cover it.
   

Has anyone else heard of this? I kind of understand the 2 co-pays, but WTF is the deal with the report?! Why the hell would the report to the surgeon not be covered???? Is the surgeon supposed to guess what happened? Sheesh.

After all the money that I am having to shell out, I certainly hope that the surgery is approved. The nutritionist requires 2 pre-op and 3 post-op visits for a grand total of $300. Ugh.

I have to keep my eyes on the prize, though, and realize how luck I am that the surgery can be covered by my insurance.

I am having a HORRIBLE time finding a psychologist/psychiatrist that will give me an evaluation. I keep getting "we don't do that here" every time I call an office. Anywhoo, the one dr that said she does do it told me it would cost me $250 because she doesn't claim it to the insurance. Apparently that type of appointment takes about 1 1/2 hrs and she said that the insurance doesn't reimburse her for that long period of time. Unfortunately, I have other out of pocket expenses associated to this surgery I just don't have the money to fork over $250, especially knowing that there are office that will do it for the simple co-pay (I JUST HAVE TO FIND ONE! lol ).

I don't know if that's the same issue your dr has but it might be good to keep looking if you're not comfortable making that payment.

I am having a HORRIBLE time finding a psychologist/psychiatrist that will give me an evaluation. I keep getting "we don't do that here" every time I call an office. Anywhoo, the one dr that said she does do it told me it would cost me $250 because she doesn't claim it to the insurance. Apparently that type of appointment takes about 1 1/2 hrs and she said that the insurance doesn't reimburse her for that long period of time. Unfortunately, I have other out of pocket expenses associated to this surgery I just don't have the money to fork over $250, especially knowing that there are office that will do it for the simple co-pay (I JUST HAVE TO FIND ONE! lol ).

I don't know if that's the same issue your dr has but it might be good to keep looking if you're not comfortable making that payment.

It sucks that you cannot find a psych. Did the surgeon not give you a name? Mine did.

It is not really the money that has my panties in a twist. It is that the report is not covered. What is the point without the report?? Oy my head.

It really sucks! He did give me a couple of names but they're all in MD about 1-1/2 hrs away (I live in VA) and his office is in VA...so WTF, right? lol

I see what you mean about the report, I haven't heard of anyone charging extra for the report...hopefully I won't come across that prob, with all the co-pays and nutritionist requirements (which alone costs $570) I'm close to $1,000 not to include all the time off for the tests that we need to complete. Not complaining just venting I guess. But like you said gotta keep my eyes on the prize!

Good luck with everything!:cursing:

Unfortunately this is something we all have to go through to get the surgery covered by insurance - think about it, it could be worse and not covered! I forked out about $1500 total for tests, psych evals and the nutritionist so bear with it, there is light at the end of the perverbial tunnel!

I am feeling pretty good now. I got my Psych as part of my quarterly appt with my psychiatrist as I take meds for depression.

But, I got a physical consult the same day in the same office as the nutritionist and had to pay for the whole nutrition fee myself.

I guess there is no free lunch in the pursuit of band land.

Call your insurance co & have them give you a list of Dr.s that do psych evals but let me tell you that most insurance co's cover only for approx 2 hrs & some run about 4 hrs just the visit & not the time it takes to type up the report. The report is quite lenghty one also. You might get lucky & find a Dr that will take the insurance pmnt as payment in full like my Dr. Best of luck

my pysch was good to me just charged for three office visits to my ins. no co pays.

I am having a hard time even FINDING someone who will do it and the places that will charge at least $700. To me this is insane.