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health care update
Oct. 22nd, 2004 01:35 pmToday I changed my health benefits enrollment. I also made an appointment with the psychologist I told you all about the other day. I'll be meeting with her at 12:30 next Thursday. She only takes Oxford, though, and when I reviewed Oxford's outpatient mental health coverage, I found that it was more expensive and less convenient than I'd like. The Oxford plan required a 50% copay per visit (and this adds up, when some psychologists' lowest rate is $100 per visit) and covered a maximum of 30 visits per year. This means that at best, I would only be covered for biweekly treatment. Not good enough, Oxford.
So I changed to HIP. With HIP, my outpatient mental health treatment is coveree 100%, with a max of 60 visits per year. This is exactly double the coverage that Oxford would give me. And the most important part of my decision was that my current primary care physician/gynecologist (she's both) takes HIP too. So wouldn't have to find a new PCP when I have a good relationship with the one I have.
Now the psychologist I'm meeting with would be considered out-of-network at HIP, but she charges on a sliding scale, and some insurance companies will reimburse me a large percentage of the cost (as in, more than Oxford's 50%), so it may turn out to be beneficial for me. If I decided to move on to another therapist (which I've heard from friends who've seen therapists happens when trying to find the right 'fit') HIP has people nearby that I can go to that are in-network. I am satisfied with my decision, and my coverage begins Jan. 1, 2005.
:)
So I changed to HIP. With HIP, my outpatient mental health treatment is coveree 100%, with a max of 60 visits per year. This is exactly double the coverage that Oxford would give me. And the most important part of my decision was that my current primary care physician/gynecologist (she's both) takes HIP too. So wouldn't have to find a new PCP when I have a good relationship with the one I have.
Now the psychologist I'm meeting with would be considered out-of-network at HIP, but she charges on a sliding scale, and some insurance companies will reimburse me a large percentage of the cost (as in, more than Oxford's 50%), so it may turn out to be beneficial for me. If I decided to move on to another therapist (which I've heard from friends who've seen therapists happens when trying to find the right 'fit') HIP has people nearby that I can go to that are in-network. I am satisfied with my decision, and my coverage begins Jan. 1, 2005.
:)
