cost of psych assessment

**1cindy2** · 07-20-2011 10:13 PM

YIKES! It certainly does sound like psych eval hell!!!

**JoyESS1** · 07-21-2011 12:22 AM

was this dude a psychologist (PhD, PsyD), a psychiatrist (MD), or a Masters level psychotherapist? Some of them think they are God! I would be very mad. I have a neurotic obsessive compulsive disorder that could actually interfere w the integrity of the surgical field and a loooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnng mental health and trauma recovery history and I did very well. I still see a therapist and psychiatrist and plan to continue as losing weight will be life changing and I will need help adjusting. If you look thru the forum too, you will see that some ppl admit they experience some depression following the surgery. That is normal but doesn't mean it doesn't need attention! Depending on how bad your depression was they may just want to be sure you aren't "prone" to depression in the long run. But dammit they don't know and can't know and you have every right to demand a 2nd opinion but w that cost I can imagine you might not want to do so. Gosh, I hope things work out for you. BTW it was not a mistake to tell him about your depression...hmmm, just wondering if he thot you were trying to look like you are healthier?
Rooting for you,
Joy

**MrsPiggy549** · 07-21-2011 01:19 AM

Your doctor needs a psych evaluation...He's nuts!

**AmyLess** · 07-22-2011 07:47 PM

Every 10 years or so I have a major depressive episode. Last time (2003) I checked myself into a stress center and the psychiatrist thought I might be bipolar II, but very well functioning - overall. With the doctor's ok, I weaned myself off medications in 2005 in order that I could concentrate - I was working on my BS. I did just fine. I haven't needed anything since - even though my stress levels should be through the roof due to my current circumstances. But they're not.

Anyway, he somehow got the idea that I would have compliance issues because I see health professionals as more like peers. Seriously?

**MrsPiggy549** · 07-23-2011 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by AmyLess

Anyway, he somehow got the idea that I would have compliance issues because I see health professionals as more like peers. Seriously?

Go to Tijuana, Mexico where the surgery is hassle free. The surgeons are amazing and the care is over the top...Not to mention the LOW fees!

**lilneko** · 07-26-2011 01:10 AM

My psych eval was covered by insurance and all I had to pay was a $45 copayment. It consisted of about an hour long in-depth conversation about my history with depression, goals from the surgery, and what was going on in my life. At the very end she told me everything was okay and that the report would go out the next day. She was wonderful. =)

In my opinion that price seems very steep, however I have no idea what my insurance paid for my evaluation so I could be wrong.

**Grace** · 07-26-2011 04:42 AM

The hospital/group I am using insists on a particular psych guy. He's nice but is not in network, anywhere. I nagged my ins comp case manager and got it covered out of network as the ins co insists I use this group and therefore they are insisting I use this guy by default. They agreed and are covering all but copay.
I had a 1 hr visit ($175), took home a 75 question profile "test". Then there are 5 required weekly 1.5 hr behavior modification group sessions at $50 each. So it was $425 total, and my copays will be $70 but I paid up front and will wait to get the money back.
Is the psych you are using doing any kind of seminar you are going to and perhaps that's covered in the fee? Is he available to you for other visits before and after surgery at no cost? If not, I'd say this is way too much money and if they will allow you to see someone else you may wish to shop around.

**kdavis** · 07-26-2011 05:43 AM

WOW $500 seems like a lot of money. Funnily enough, I didn't have to have a psych evaluation. I was asked of I had a history of depression and that was about as far as they went in terms of my mental health. Has it been a requirement or most people?

**Tesserae** · 10-31-2012 07:50 PM

Mine was $500 as well. I almost died when she said I had to pay that and $120 for a nutritionist. Both were just long detailed phone calls, thorough but nothing amazing. I had the option to meet her in person but I live SO FAR away that it would have been pointless.

Anyway, it seems like a small price to pay for finally getting approved =)