General costs and getting in?

[Byren]

Hello!

Couple of questions to throw out there. Any info would be much appreciated!

Firstly, has anyone else had an absolutely horrible time just trying to get an appointment with a therapist?

And secondly, (if it's not too personal a question) to anyone without insurance, about how much was each session?

Here's why I'm asking:

For two weeks now I've been trying to get in contact with somebody that's in my insurance network. The first one I tried took a week and a half to return my message, only for me to find out they weren't in my network anymore.  The second one took a few days to return my call, but the therapist is getting ready to have a baby and..well..is going to be rather short on time for new people.  Third person I tried today, (voicemail again), so we'll see if they respond or not.

If the third person I'm trying to contact doesn't work out for some reason, I'm going to have to go out of network. My insurance told me that after I meet the initial $600 out-of-pocket, they'd pay 60% of what they think the therapist should charge, based on their credentials and service rendered.  Thing is, I've got no idea what a 'normal' price range with or without insurance is.

I'd appreciate everyone's input!

Hope everyone's having a good one!

[Adio]

I've been to several therapists and have not had many problems getting in to see them.  Some have longer waiting lists than others.  Once you become a "regular", making appointments (even emergency ones) gets easier and sometimes automatic.

I think right now I'm "paying" a $30 co-pay (my second insurance eats most of it).  Without insurance it would be about $150 a session.  The most I've/my mom has ever had to pay is around $200/session.  The least was about $75 I think. 

[DavisJ86]

My therapist is 50 bucks a session. She takes certain insurance, but she doesn't take the one I'd get from my job. But yeah I feel you on not gettin an appointment. Good luck in your search.

[Arch]

I started seeing my therapist when I was taking a summer break from teaching, so I was able to take whatever stray appointment times he offered. So no trouble getting an appointment. After school started up again, we found regular times that fit my teaching schedule. Do you have to schedule around work? That can be a real pain.

I have insurance, but they will not cover anything trans-related, and they require such a detailed report for every session that I didn't want to compromise my privacy anyway. My therapist's regular fee is $135 an hour. Now that I'm in reduced circumstances, he cut his fee by one third, so I'm down to $90 an hour. But I know that he usually has two or three clients who pay a greatly reduced fee, and some therapists will do a sliding scale. I understand that the local LGBT center has very inexpensive counseling services but a long waiting list. There was a six-month wait when I first called them, so I went with my current therapist. He is A1, though.

[spacial]

Can you not just call all those on your list at one go?

The first to get back with a positive answer, gets the job.

Or am I misunderstanding something here?

[Byren]

Thanks for all the input, guys!  I have great news:

THE THIRD ONE CALLED ME BACK!!!  I OFFICIALLY HAVE AN ENROLLMENT APPT NEXT TUESDAY! WAHOOO!!!

So, I get to use my insurance (well, when I meet eh $400 deductible, heh), and thankfully the cost per session is toward the lower end of the scale. $60 a go.

Thanks to you guys, I was prepared for something more expensive, so now I can be relieved! 

Can you not just call all those on your list at one go?

The first to get back with a positive answer, gets the job.

Or am I misunderstanding something here?

Well, part of the problem was only two were anywhere near me. The rest were located almost two hours away.   It ended up that no-one on my list had a positive answer, and it was one that was basically 'unlisted' that did.

Do you have to schedule around work? That can be a real pain.

Thankfully, not reeeally. I work retail, so as long as I give the boss enough of a heads-up (usually two weeks) my shifts can be scheduled how I need them.

Thanks again, all!