After losing my health insurance and ALL of my doctors, I needed to pick a new therapist too. The new plan that I picked listed that there were no co pays for therapy, and it's one of the major reasons why I picked the new plan. I didn't have a choice about losing the old plan.  I could tell that this new plan was a big problem from the minute that I met my new PCP yesterday (I lost my old one of 20 years).  I needed referrals, and one to neurology due to severe migraines and I had almost total vision loss on Sunday, it was very scary.  It's an HMO, so I thought that they would give me the new referral slip and then I would contact a doctor from their network   The PCP said that I could not even choose a neurologist from the network, that they were going to pick it and that was that and I didn't have a say in it. They also refused to give me a copy of the referral.   I was starting to wonder if I could choose another plan from the exchange.

Today, I got a call today that my physical therapy appointment for Thursday would be cancelled (I haven't been able to go for a month now) because they claimed they never did get a referral, which they did!  Right then I called the healthcare navigator and they said that it's still early in the year and  that yes, I could choose another plan, thank God.  I got online and chose another plan, the one I was originally thinking of, immediately.  I used to have it and it's an HMO too but much more flexible and therapy co pay is 5 dollars on their website. That is one of the factors that I consider. 

I get to my new therapist this evening, first it's the wrong address, then I get there and get locked in the gates, wrong suite. I finally get inside and no one is at the reception desk- and you have to do the lengthy check in by QR code where you have to create an account all over again...it's like after the appointment time now.  So I call back there, she comes up and we go to do the intake, and she tells me the co pay is 40 dollars, something I cannot do right now. I explain that the health plan said that there is no co pay for mental health, she tells me I'm wrong and that's how it is, and that she will have to cancel the appointment and that I will need to leave.

I was now at this point crying and telling her that yes, I will in fact be leaving. My last therapist and secretary were not like this at all, no issues, just get in and out, no surprises or problems.  I was really tense and stressed upon going there, I felt like I was on a loose thread and really needed the appointment. I could see she was put off by that, but I was very glad I made the decision earlier that day to bail on the health plan. It's just way, way too much trouble, and the premiums for this new plan are significantly lower. It's a logistical nightmare. The new plan also includes several of my prior doctors, a major benefit-I can keep my PCP, endocrinologist and allergist.  The neurologist is the one new thing. There are no guarantees that they would have covered my migraine medicine anyway, and I will probably have to appeal that regardless of insurance. It is a newer, more expensive treatment. And even with samples for the interim, I'm extremely suspicious of the vision loss and it's freaking me out. I do meet the new neurologist next week. 

Damn it is really hard to get health care. I currently am unable to fill some of my RX, such as my migraine meds because of the fact that this plan will not honor the refills that I already have-I have to get prior authorizations all over again because it's new. The PCP was not able or willing to write me a script or give samples. Just no, no no.  My old PCP office got me some samples, and I can return to them in one month with the changed plan. Whenever they gave me a referral they just handed it to me and I could take it with me.  I prefer to work with an office that tries to do what they can to get you need and help you. They have been advocating for me as long as I've known them.  I really don't like being told no on everything and to go home, especially when paying the premium.  I know that insurance doesn't cover absolutely everything, but come on!