Posted by Bill LL on March 24, 2005, at 13:31:14
In reply to Re: Finding a pdoc » Bill LL, posted by fires on March 24, 2005, at 10:38:50
I really don't know enough about meds to say if 300 mg of Wellbutrin can trigger mania. I just know that when I was on Wellbutrin, it made me jittery.
Maybe you could check with people you know to see if they have heard of, or have experience with, a good p-doc.
Some p-docs will see people, even new patients, for relatively short, and therefore inexpensive visits. But some will only see patients for longer, psychotherapy type visits.
The one I consulted with a few years a go did not accept my insurance, but all of my visits were between 20 and 30 minutes. He charged by actual time. After I got my insurance payment it wasn't too bad.
> > My experience is that pdocs are the only physician specialty in the US that does not take insurance (with few exceptions). But it makes sense. Other specialties bill for a wide variety of services where they can play around with the billings to make more money. They can also bill a full amount for visits even if they only see you for 3 or 4 minutes.
> >
> > Pdocs, on the other hand, have to bill psychotherapy codes that go by actual time. So they can't just see you for 3 or 4 minutes and bill for a code that specifies 45 minutes.
> >
> > Most prescriptions for antidepressants are written by non-pdocs such as internists, GP's, and OB-GYN's. They are very experienced with these drugs. Unless you need psychotherapy, or you want a second opinion with your meds, you don't have to see a pdoc.
> >
> > > I can't believe it. I live near a major US metro area with several teaching U. hospitals. I can't find a pdoc who takes my PPO insurance.
> > >
> > > I can see a resident, but that didn't work well last time. I was recently referred to a pdoc, but he doesn't take insurance. Another isn't taking new patients. Another doesn't have any appointment openings until May. (Those are all about 30 miles from my home).
> > >
> > > Closer to home, I can't find out much about any pdocs.
> > >
> > > Anyone have any unique ideas for finding a good pdoc?
> > >
>
> My other docs sent me to pdoc, because they know they are in over their heads. Now my current pdoc has told me some very questionable "facts":
>
> My med reactions are psychosomatic; 300 mg of Wellbutrin can't trigger mania; (the others escape me at the moment).
>
> Thanks
>
poster:Bill LL
thread:474694
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475002.html