$8 Compared to $140

Do politicians and large companies really care about people? I have a hard time believing that they do. When I picked up a prescription the other day for my mental illness I looked at the fine print. The price my insurance had negotiated was $8. Affordable and would help with my symptoms.

I looked at the fine print and saw $140. I asked the tech who had to pay that much. Her response was people who are not insured or have a high deductible.

First, I want to approach the uninsured. If they are sick enough to become a patient in a mental health unit, they will receive medications. Those medications work and they are discharged. Now they are felling better and have less symptoms, yet the medication cost is out of reach. For this person it is a possibility that a cycle will begin when if provided with medications could be a productive citizen.

The next case is a high deductible. Someone diagnosed with any illness should be able to acquire their medications. Mental health meds are necessary to function. being told that you need something, have insurance, and yet cannot pay for the medication is wrong.

Why is big pharma willing to let me have the prescription for $8? If the company is willing to take that from me why can’t everyone be on a sliding scale for medications. We live in a country that seems to be able to hide the disparities between people and I cannot accept that any longer. Everyone deserves a minimum standard.

Advocacy and Determination Paid Off

I have been fighting with my insurance company for over a year in order to get the correct therapy for C-PTSD. It has finally taken a small step in the right direction . Yes, this is with private insurance, yet it is a step closer in getting the care that we all desperately need.

After trying for a year to have someone actually listen, suddenly someone has. She had taken the time to research the choices provided by the company compared with my diagnoses. She quickly realized that none of the providers even understood.

Even more positive was that others in the company began to research the behavioral health providers and started to realize that many of the providers have poor reviews. The company is attempting to call out of network providers and see if there is a psychologist who is willing to accept the insurances rate for service. My fingers are crossedz

I have learned that I am not going to give up on trying to get the right treatment for my illness. One day I hope to assist in getting effective treatment for everyone.

Trying to Find Treatment for C-PTSD is a Nightmare

For 17 years, I have been diagnosed with C-PTSD along with other psychiatric illnesses. Along with C-PTSD I have DID which is a direct result of the trauma from the past.

I have a name brand insurance. That insurance company does not have anyone in my area or even within driving range who treats my condition. When I have called those on the list that is provided on their website, the providers do not even know what DID is let alone how to treat it properly.

Maybe I expect to much. I expect for a psychologist to be familiar with my diagnosis and to know the best treatment methods in order to improve my symptoms. There is not any medication to treat the symptoms of C-PTSD. The treatments effectiveness relies on the experience of the therapist.

I am so worried that I am going to backslide into darkness again. Right now, I am hopeless about getting any help for my symptoms at this point. I am sure that there are others out there with the same issue. Why is it that a psychological condition is not taken as seriously as a medical condition. A doctor would not send a person with kidney failure to a cardiologist, yet that is what they do for mental illnesses. We are not all the same. Please start to realize this!!

Am I More Than Just A Business Transaction??

My treatment team up until roughly 4 years ago was excellent. They listened to my symptoms and concerns. Sometimes, we discussed my art or photos that I had come across. Even the names of people that had played a significant role in my life were remembered.

Yes, it is ultimately a profession and money is exchanged for services, yet at that time I felt like an individual. Like they actually cared about me and my mental health. If I was doing poorly, they often could fit me in for additional sessions and made a point to communicate with each other and exchange notes as well as concerns.

Today, I have different providers. They care about money. Before I even see them I have to pay or my session will get cancelled. I have never not paid them. In fact, at one point this year, I had a credit. My therapist rarely remembers what I say from one session to the next. Often I have to answer the same questions week after week about who a person was to me. I often think to myself, why don’t you just take notes??

After providing medication lists and hospital histories, they act like I have not provided them with any records. For those of you who have had or are in treatment, how are your providers? Do you trust them to assist you as much as possible? Do they care about more than money? I am just curious.