Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 565529

Shown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

help...P-Doc Policies??

Posted by mrporter1 on October 10, 2005, at 23:22:28

ok...gotta ask about p-doc logistics...

would your p-doc charge you for a session if your car broke down and you couldn't get to your appt??
(assume you called immediately to let him/her know what was going on, you're a reliable client, long-term relationship)

how does your p-doc approach "emergency" situations?

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1

Posted by Shortelise on October 11, 2005, at 1:07:26

In reply to help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by mrporter1 on October 10, 2005, at 23:22:28

My doc wouldn't charge me unless I made a habit of it.

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies??

Posted by pegasus on October 12, 2005, at 9:57:53

In reply to help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by mrporter1 on October 10, 2005, at 23:22:28

My doc would definitely charge me. No exceptions.

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1

Posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 0:56:37

In reply to help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by mrporter1 on October 10, 2005, at 23:22:28

Depends on how long term, depends on how reliable. Mine gives the benefit of the doubt, but he'd charge if it was frequent, but the office policy is to charge for any missed appts. Have you asked him the policy, and why he'd charge you when it was beyond your control?

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » fairywings

Posted by mrporter1 on October 13, 2005, at 1:13:30

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1, posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 0:56:37

> Depends on how long term, depends on how reliable. Mine gives the benefit of the doubt, but he'd charge if it was frequent, but the office policy is to charge for any missed appts. Have you asked him the policy, and why he'd charge you when it was beyond your control?


Thanks for your responses....

I'm in a bind. I have a long-term relationship with my doc - about 4 years, I think. I'm very responsible and feel "bonded" with him. However, I'm aware that this is a business relationship when it comes right down to it. And I really feel frustrated with how rigid he is. It seems out of line. In this case, I missed an appt. last week because my car wouldn't start and I couldn't get help in time to get to the appt. He rescheduled for a couple of days later - which I appreciated. I had a feeling he would charge me for two appts. So I asked him how much to write the check for at the end of resched. appt and he said "2 sessions" - $420. ouch...

I'm just not sure what to do. A similar thing happened about 3 years ago (serious family emergency) and I spent the whole next session explaining why I thought charging me was ridiculous. He ended up not charging me that time.

However, I don't want to do that again. I mean spending another whole session stating my case will be another $210.

So, I'm stuck. And resentful. I totally understand that a missed appt. is lost revenue that can't be replaced at the last minute. And if I was a frequent offender...ok. But that's not the case. So I'm really conflicted.

What do you guys think?

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1

Posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 7:42:16

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » fairywings, posted by mrporter1 on October 13, 2005, at 1:13:30

>
> I'm in a bind. I have a long-term relationship with my doc - about 4 years, I think. I'm very responsible and feel "bonded" with him. However, I'm aware that this is a business relationship when it comes right down to it. And I really feel frustrated with how rigid he is. It seems out of line. In this case, I missed an appt. last week because my car wouldn't start and I couldn't get help in time to get to the appt. He rescheduled for a couple of days later - which I appreciated. I had a feeling he would charge me for two appts. So I asked him how much to write the check for at the end of resched. appt and he said "2 sessions" - $420. ouch...
>

Whoa! No insurance? No way would I pay my p-doc $420! I absolutely adore him, think he's good as gold, I'd cry if I ever had to give him up, but no way would I pay him $420! I'd be out there pounding the pavement looking for a new p-doc. Can you tell him how you feel w/o wasting your whole appt. justifying your thoughts. Maybe send him a letter? Does he have a really busy practice? Can he afford to lose you? Would he care one way or the other if you found someone new?

If you were just forgetful, and it happened numerous times, then okay, I can see that, but twice in 4 years? Forget it! Not worth it!

fw

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies??

Posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 8:06:23

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1, posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 7:42:16

I agree with Fairywings!! Not a chance Id pay that much. a letter sounds like a good solution.

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » rainbowbrite

Posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 8:32:38

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 8:06:23

Mine charges $125 for a med check - 20 minutes. Over $200 sounds REALLY high. It must a be a long appt.?
fw

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » rainbowbrite

Posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 9:22:08

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 8:06:23

yeah, it must be for a long session, thats extremely high. I would not get charged by my pdoc under those circumstances even if I had a long appointment. And my T would not charge me either, I dont think my t would :-)

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » fairywings

Posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 13, 2005, at 9:31:22

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » rainbowbrite, posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 8:32:38

Yikes!! Mine charges $90 for a 30 minute session, but maybe that's b/c she is affiliated w/ a univ student health service. You know what these posts make me think...I shoulda gone to med school! (You reading this GG? Are ya with me?)

Best,
EE

> Mine charges $125 for a med check - 20 minutes. Over $200 sounds REALLY high. It must a be a long appt.?
> fw

 

above was meant for FW (nm)

Posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 10:13:32

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » rainbowbrite, posted by rainbowbrite on October 13, 2005, at 9:22:08

 

thank you - Re: help...P-Doc Policies??

Posted by mrporter1 on October 13, 2005, at 10:49:58

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » fairywings, posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 13, 2005, at 9:31:22

You guys are smart cookies...

I do have insurance, 50% for 25 sessions annually. I just have to file myself and anything beyond 25 is on me. The sessions last for 45 minutes.

I like the idea of a letter a lot. I think that may be the solution. Ironic that my interaction with my psychiatrist has caused me *more* stress this week. Oh well...

Thanks for support. I really appreciate it.

MRP

 

Re: thank you - Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1

Posted by fairywings on October 13, 2005, at 11:10:08

In reply to thank you - Re: help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by mrporter1 on October 13, 2005, at 10:49:58

Hi MRP,

Gosh, I sure know what you mean there. My ex T used to cause me so much stress I'd get so anxious I'd worry the whole week, and get hives b4 I'd go. Who needs that cr$p? And you're paying to worry?. Forget it!

fw

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » Emily Elizabeth

Posted by gardenergirl on October 13, 2005, at 22:45:22

In reply to Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » fairywings, posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 13, 2005, at 9:31:22

I'm reading it. Even what I pay my pdoc out of pocket is less than half that. I know fees vary by region, and even within cities depending on how much managed care is in the area and what kind of therapy they do. But med school??? Eek! :)

At any rate, where I work we have a pretty rigid policy, too. But the fee is less than $75 for a missed appt. And I have been known (although my boss doesn't like it if he finds out) to make exceptions in just this kind of case, especially if it's not a habit of the client to be late or miss frequently.

gg

 

Re: help...P-Doc Policies?? » mrporter1

Posted by terrics on October 17, 2005, at 10:00:35

In reply to help...P-Doc Policies??, posted by mrporter1 on October 10, 2005, at 23:22:28

Maybe your p-doc was having a bad day. I hope so because I think that was very unfair and my p-=doc would not do that. terrics


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