... it? I have all the symptoms of ADHD my insurance doesnt cover psychologist... what do I tell him?
My doctor wants me to see a psychologist to see if I need amphetamine... why cant he just perscribe?
Question posted by doctalk2020 on 7 Oct 2010
Last updated on 5 June 2020 by Addyguy38
7 Answers
Addyguy38
5 June 2020
doctalk2020-
I am writing this from first hand experience. I have been taking Adderall 20mg tabs 3xs daily along w about 5 other psych meds for over 10 years now. Last year, a sudden issue caused my prescribing Dr to have to leave his practice. When I and all other patients were told, we only had exactly 1 month until that happened. That meant that the rxs I'd get that day would be the last from him. Now again-i had been seeing him for about 10 years so I naturally had no real clue how to find another Dr/who was as good/and would prescribe the same rxs without judgement or prejudice. Well-before I knew it I was only 5 days away from my running out of not only the #90 Adderall I get, but also, Xanax #60, Neurontin #90, Lexapro #30, Prazosin #30 and Restoril #30!!! I knew that the sudden stopping of the Adderall was bad enough, but I would also have SEVERE benzo withdrawals as well and I was... SCARED.
So-the last day came to what I had left of all my rxs. I was a wreck and felt lost.
On a wing and a prayer, I called my family PCP and without saying the issue to the receptionist, I was in for an appt for the next morning.
When the Dr walked in the room he was still reading the notes of all I had just told the nurses. He then looked up at me and asked, " I read here that you have been taking these medications for some time now and are scared of the sudden stopping and withdrawals associated?" I shook my head Yes and said, " Is there anything at all you are maybe able to do to help me continue them until I can find and get to a new Psychiatrist?" He responded immediately with, " of course! Why wouldnt there be? And also, there should be no one out there that should have to go through this when PCPs are legally allowed to do what is called "bridge" a psych patients rxs for up to 3-6 months or their 1st appt w a new psychiatrist, whichever comes first". And just like that, I left w 6 fresh rxs in hand and headed to the pharmacy to fill them. This continued for 5 months until my 1st new Dr saw me and took over. So-EVERYONE KNOW, Pcs and orher types of Drs CAN write out rxs for psych drugs and other associated rxs. If they say they can't... they are doing nothing more than lying to you/harming the patient/violating the Hippocratic oath and putting themselves about the patient.
All my best: Anthony R.
christineATU
19 Jan 2011
Hi doctalk. Your doctor needs to step up and do a little advocating for you. First find out exactly what, if any, psychological services are covered with your insurance company. I believe MOST have to have some type of coverage for this. Then ask your doctor if whatever services they DO cover, counseling, psychiatrist, out-patient group therapy, etc if that would be sufficient to allow HIM to prescribe the meds. He works for YOU. His office people should know what your insurance will cover in this department. He really needs to customize your treatment based on what your insurance will or will not cover. You could also try your local county mental health services and find out about free consultations and diagnosis IF your insurance doesn't cover ANY of the services. They are also VERY good at pushing insurance companies to cover some services even if you were told they would not. Keep on fighting this. Good luck on getting an official diagnosis.
Best wishes,
chris
Cathleen186
19 Jan 2011
you need a psychiatrist to prescribe a stimulant. Does your insurance cover any mental illness, have you called to verify? You might have to go with a dc they pick out for you so you're covered. I had an ADHD dx after my 7 year old son was dx in August. They made me fill out an extensive questionaire, they didn't just take my word for it. The generic Ritalin really helps me. I hope you can get around your insurance to finding a psychiatrist that will help you. You need to have a serious conversation before he'll just prescribe. That's what happened to me anyway, good luck and keep us posted.
caringsonbj
19 Jan 2011
I tell you there are so many laws and with your history unless he has verification he may not do it, but explain to him that your Insurance won't cover the psychiatrist, surely he will come up withsomeone that will see you just to diagnose the situation and then he could do the prescribing if need be let him talk with the Insurance company I am sure that doctors have to get involved with insurance companies in order to get the patients needs met please let us know how things are going another thought the social worker at the local mental health center perhaps she would be able to point both you and the doctor in the right place
bluewatersgirl
11 Oct 2010
First of all, A PSYCHOLOGIST does not prescribe medications. You need to see a PSYCHIATRIST for that.
A Psychologist is a "talk-doctor", he/she can administer tests and provide therapy. He/she is usually less expensive than a Psychiatrist and your appointments are usually a 50 min hour.
A Psychiatrist is able to prescribe medications and do procedures. This doc schedules appts for anywhere between 5 to 30 mins not counting your first appt which may be an hour long. After this first appt, subsequent appts with a Psychiatrist will be shorter and less often for purposes of medication management.
Even less expensive, talk therapy can be provided by a Therapist. Rarely will a Psychiatrist provide medications w/o being in counseling.
Your first appointment will involve and "intake" where the physician will ask many questions to better understand and evaluate your "condition".
An intake can be done by any of the three and the process is usually determined by the clinic where you are seen. ask when you call.
Check with your county mental health dept., often you can get mental health services based on your income, But get started ASAP because the process may take months.
Springer10
7 Oct 2010
Hey, doctalk, I just ran into this same situation this week. My Suboxone doc was also prescribing Adderall, but he's $250 a visit. I am unable to see him this month so he won't let me pick up my adderall. I saw my regular MD today & he said what your doctor told you. In order to prescribe amphetamines a docotr needs to have a diagnosis of ADHD/ADD on file first. He/she cannot just write a script without actual proof of this diagnosis.
It seems my Suboxone doctor never requested my file when I transferred from another state. He just took my word that I have ADD.
Now, you don't neccessarily have to see a psychiatrist to get a diagonsis. There are MD's who have enough knowledge of ADD to do the diagnostic inquiry-consisting of a thorough background history coupled with a questionaire that's used as a tool for ADD/ADHD dianostics. This was explained to me when making an appointment with a doctor well-versed in treating ADD/ADHD I have for next week.
So, I will have been out of Adderall for 14 days by then &after 7 days I already notice the backslide.
I would research your area for a qualified provider to get you set up with a diagnosis.
And before you take an amphetamine I would try the non-stimulant meds first. They can work well without the extra side effect risk & dependency issues. I endured 5 days of troubled sleep, restlessness & still not over the mild depression.
keyvan
7 Oct 2010
why cant he just perscribe?beacuse 1.you maybe have another disease or problem and 2.this druge have many side effect on all organ in body for example:heart,kidney,blood... therefor the psychologist prescribe that is better than other professional dr.
caringsonbj
11 March 2011
explain this to the doctor sometimes different insurance companies want a physician who is qualified in a certain field to verify the condition prior to them having the doctor doing the prescribing, and sometimes it has to do with the doctor he wants to be sure that he is right and he wants a second opinion, if it's true that he needs a second opinion then explain to him that this is not covered by your insurance, some people cannot afford an out of pocket pay for verification so therefore then he needs to convince the Insurance company of why he needs this second opinion. I want you to get the best care possible but I can understand the problems of having to pay out of pocket for seeing another doctor. I hope this helps you get some help in getting the care you need
Related topics
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), amphetamine, insurance
Further information
- Amphetamine uses and safety info
- Amphetamine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amphetamine (detailed)
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