Hell no! That's not normal? I go to a Psychiatric Nurse Practicioner for my meds. She'll writes me out scripts for 3 months at a time. The only time I would have to see her sooner is if I was switched to a different med, or a dosage change, then I would go back in 6 weeks.
Even w/o insurance, a short office visit like that shouldn't be half that much, and not that often.
I only got my first Rx from my psychiatrist. My MD wanted me to go and get the final diagnosis but told me I didn't have to continue to go if I didnt' want to.
I get all my other Rx's now from my MD. I still go to my psychiatrist but he no longer gets me my meds. He and my MD trust each other and forward necessary info for my health to each other I assume every time now.
Also, if you move your Rx's to your MD - then for good therapy you can go to a psychologist instead of psychiatrist. They are actually better at therapy sometimes and only big difference is that psychiatrist is always a doctor and can prescribe meds where a psychologist only does the therapy.
I know it's pricey for our ills but maybe a psychologist will be more in your range - as well - you could go to group therapy if it's available as you usually pay a small portion of what one-on-one sessions cost. Just a thought!
Thanks so much for everyone's thoughts so far. I'm in Texas, so I'm going to have to look into whether or not a regular consultation is required by law. Even if it is, the 0 I'm getting charged sure seems, in light of some of the comments here, pretty excessive. (Which is exactly how it has felt - I don't mind spending $$ on my ADD one bit, but 0 for two seconds of 'script-writing is kind of outrageous.) I'm going to ask my family doc if he'll consider taking on writing my 'scripts, and how much it'll cost.I've gotten my Rx from anyone that could write a prescription.
Pshrynk, M.D., ER surgeon, PseudoSurgeon (Protodoctors), etc. I had my pills stolen in America Central, so I went to an ER doctor and had him write me one in Spanish. Problem there was no ritalin L.A. nor Provigil available.
As for the monthly visit, that is a new requirement of the U.S. gov't since under 12 months ago. My pshrink charges me .00 per visit, and actually visits for 10 or 15 minutes. Regular visit costs , but I get 30 minutes for that. Negotiate for a good deal with whomever you are most comfortable with. Remember, we live in America, and we can negotiate. I once negotiated fully vested in a vacation program, and asked for 3 weeks per year, which was available the moment I signed on. It was so easy I should have asked for four.
Good hunting,
You have a pricey pshrynk.
I paid 0 for my first 1 hour consultation about 4 years ago. I now pay for a once a year 1/2 hour thorough review. I pay a monthly (b/c the state of California requires it) for 5 to 15 minutes review in order to refill my triplicate prescriptions of the controlled substance methylphenidate.
I would check before you go.
Maybe you live in an exlcusive neighborhood, but maybe you can find something a little more reasonable.
My mxRxs run ,200 / month. Good thing the insurance covers 80%, still, that's a 0.00 chunk, plus the Dalk visit...
Dang, ADHD is expensive... Effexor costs .00 per pill, and I take 4 / day. Provigil costs .00 per pill, and I take 2 / day, plus the Ritn, 3 pills/day, plus the other stuff....
I have been wondering some of these same questions lately.
I visited a Pyschatist for my inital diagnosis about 3 weeks ago. I was told that my vist would cost me 0 for that trip. It seemed high, but I needed to go. I was diagnosed and given prescription. The whole visit lasted 15 mins at the most. I then paid to get it filled.
He set up a followup appointment for 4 weeks later which will be coming up soon. I need to go, because I need to get the dosage adjusted, I beleive. But I am hoping that this trip will not also cost 0, because that starts getting very expensive. I will have to find a different doctor if it is going to be that high every time!
[QUOTE=paritthead]David - are you sure of this? Are you getting this information from your doctor, and if not, from where? I'm interested in the background/rationale.
[/QUOTE]
110% sure. Even my pharmacist acknowledged the change way back when. Call Sam's Club pharmacy, they should be able to confirm this.
What a huge ridiculous cost to the California taxpayers. Think of all the people on public assistance - guess who's paying for all those monthly 'consultations'? Yep - the taxpayer. Ridiculous.
Hey Parti,
It is true that forever one had to get a triplicate prescription once per month, with or without a consultation.
However, last year the law in California changed, and a scheduled visit is required now. My pshrynk didn't like the law, but follows it, and reduced the once a year review visit of to per monthly script visit.
Do you live in CA? Perhaps the laws are different where you are at.
D
David - are you sure of this? Are you getting this information from your doctor, and if not, from where? I'm interested in the background/rationale.
I'm 33 and was diagnosed about a year and a half ago. At first, I'd see the psychiatrist every 3 months, just for a 'check-in'. Basically, 'how's it going, how are the meds working, anything you want to discuss, etc'. After determining my optimal dosage (Adderall), we decided every 6 months was a sufficient check-in. Living 31+ years undiagnosed required me to develop some pretty good coping mechanisms, which enabled me to lead a productive life. Could I benefit from some sort of therapy? Probably- but who couldn't, ADD or not? I'm satisfied with my life currently, and choose not to dwell on what could've been or live in the past. I'm happy, productive and loving life RIGHT NOW and am looking forward to the future. ADD is a medical condition that should be managed according to the needs of the patient. Having ADD does not mean we're destined to lifelong therapy or psychiatric care. If you need it, great - get it. If you don't, that's great too - get on with living life.
*I'm still seeing the psychiatrist for meds because it's convenient for ME - his office is right on my way home and there's a pharmacy on site. Also, he respects me as an intelligent adult and considers my needs as a patient. But...if he ever becomes difficult - like requiring an office visit every time I want a refill, or treating me as 'fragile' because of the ADD - I'll switch to getting my prescriptions from my family doctor.
Paritthead - I have a question for you as one of the people I've heard this from.
Is it common for a lot of you to not be seeing a psychiatrist along with meds? I can't imagine just taking the meds and hoping that I'll get better.
I've always understood from what I read and what I feel is working for others that you should always combine the meds with some form of therapy.
If you have some insight that I haven't thought of - or if it's just because you can't afford it or feel like it's just too intimate a contact for you at this point I'd like to know.
I'm not knocking all the people who've told me they don't want or need a psychiactric visit. Everyone must judge for themselves what they need to make life work for them.
Just totally curious about it since I've never heard an explanation yet.
Thanks! And if you don't feel you can share why - then that's cool too.
While it is true that doctors can only prescribe one 30-day supply at a time with no refills, you do NOT have to have a consultation or even see your doctor to get it. My previous psychiatrist mailed me a prescription once a month. My current doctor just leaves the prescription at the front desk and I pick it up. I never have to see him and I certainly don't have to pay for a consultation. My advice is to switch doctors - this guy obviously isn't doing what is best for YOU - he's doing what is best for his pocketbook. You should be able to get your prescriptions from your family doctor since you've been officially diagnosed by your psychiatrist.