DC psychiatrist costs?

[Anonymous]

Since it seems that no psychiatrist in D.C. takes insurance, at least mine, how much should I expect to be charged out of pocket?

I'm trying to decide if I should stick with my current medical plan, or pay more for the one with some out-of-network reimbursement (once I hit my deductible). It would help my calcultions if I knew how much I'd get hit each time.

[Anonymous]

$250 an hour is what I would say. But remember, even for out of network, they pay a percentage of reasonable and customary charges, not the rate that the doctor charges.

So for example Aetna considers $170 to be reasonable and customary (I'm not sure of the exact figure but it's around that) and then pays 70% of that. So they reimburse around $120 for a $250 visit -- under 50%.

[Anonymous]

Mine is $200 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. My current plan pays absolutely nada out of network. The only two psychiatrists in network are church-affiliated clinics that are aimed at people on drugs who need help with life skills. Neither seems appropriate for a professional with stable treated depression. If I go up to the other plan, it's 80% after a $1000 deductible.

[Anonymous]

I have gone to Georgetown psychiatry for 4 years. They are a solid department and take insurance. A bit of a pain to get to but well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Get your primary care to refer you to one of the hospital based programs. If you private pay psychiatrist, your prescriptions may not be covered.

[Anonymous]

PP who goes to Georgetown. I use to go a private psychiatrist. As long as your pscyhiatrist is board certified you shouldn't have a problem getting your scripts filled. Even if they aren't are you are getting psych meds from you pcp, I don't see why your insurance would give you problem, unless you meds aren't on their formulary for some reason

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your primary care to refer you to one of the hospital based programs. If you private pay psychiatrist, your prescriptions may not be covered.

I have had several psychiatrists and never had a problem with meds not being covered.

[Anonymous]

$250/hour.