merry freakin christmas

babyt614 · December 2013

Just got a letter from my OB's office today letting me know the entire practice is dropping my insurance. Devastated. Can't imagine how we could afford to stay with this doctor as out of network and hate the idea of finding a new one- i have severe medical phobias and this is the first doctor i've trusted in over a decade. Have spent the last 3 hours crying. I know this seems like a first world problem but I really don't know what to do. My anxiety is such that it is actually a hard decision deciding whether to wipe our bank account/have to take on additional jobs for DH and me in order to keep my doctor.

anyone have this happen to them? Tips for negotiating with practices or your insurance company to keep you doctor? Or was all that pretty much out the window and you just looked for someone new?

All I want for Christmas is the plan I had before for my in practice doctor i loved to deliver my baby at a hospital I felt comfortable with.

ahopkins0419 · December 2013

Im so sorry that you are going through this... I dont believe you should wipe yourself out if you cant afford it. Just take a deep breath and try a new doctor to see how it goes. Good luck with everything and it will all go in your favor at the end.

MrsLabRat · December 2013

So sorry to hear this, that really sucks! I had an insurance scare myself and thought I would have to change Drs in the New Year, and I was terrified at that thought and couldn't sleep for days. If I were you, I schedule an appt with a new Dr, and just see how it goes. Maybe you will be pleasantly surprised! If worst comes to worst, you can always go back to you old Dr, but at least you tried. Good luck!

kibean · December 2013

I am sorry this happening.How frustrating!

While I do not have medical anxiety, I do suffer from panic attacks and was taking medication prior to becoming pregnant. I also am a school psychologist (which always gets me looks when I talk about my anxiety with doctors, but whatever...it is not something to be ashamed of).

How bad is the anxiety/phobia? If the phobia is moderate and if you can utilize some anxiety reduction strategies such as meditation/visualization, deep breathing, etc, you might consider using this as an opportunity to face the fear and maybe even reduce the fear over time. Exposure to the things that you fear and having good experiences can significantly reduce your anxiety, while avoidance when you are anxious is very reinforcing and often makes the feelings worse.

Remember that anxiety/phobias are biochemical and are not your fault, but also remember there are things you can do and that you do not have to live with fears that impact your daily living quality.

I hope you feel better!

colllydon · December 2013

I understand it gives you anxiety but IMO you should get a new doctor. I know it will be very hard for you but you are going to have a baby, you can't waste extra money that you don't have right now. Good luck!

babySchmidt · December 2013

Have you exhausted all options with your insurance company to see if you can get covered with your current doctor? It will probably take some time on the phone (read: call when you have a couple of hours to devote solely to this phone call), but you may be able to get something worked out. If, at the end of the call, your insurance can't help you then maybe your doctor can recommend someone since your doc knows your fears?

You'll find wonderful care if you have to leave! You're a mommy, we do the best we can with what we have at the time! :-)

chaysefaith · December 2013

Do you and DH both have access to insurance through your employers? It's a long shot, but you could see if you could switch insurances.

WoodsSeltzer09 · December 2013

Talk to your current OB's office and see if they have recomendations for another office who does cover your insurance. I would not stay all - it seems strange that they waited till the middle of Dec. to tell you as of 1/1 we wont take your insurance.

curlylocks3 · December 2013

I'm sorry- that's a tough position to be in and they really aren't giving you a lot of time to deal. I like the suggestion of asking your OB for recommendations; since this is beyond your control they will probably (and hopefully) work with you and your new OB to make sure the new plan is communicated and giving you as smooth a transition as possible. Good luck!

Kinipela7 · December 2013

Get a new doc - there are tons of good ones out there! It sucks that you have to move but not the end of the world whatsoever.

SecondTimeinMSU · December 2013

I am sorry you are going through this. I actually switched OB's this time because the two doctors I loved left my old practice I wasn't that fond of the two drs left. It was scary to go into the unknown but I've been really happy so far at my new practice. Do you have any close friends or family that have had a baby recently in your area that you could ask for a recommendation. Maybe if it someone you trust telling you there doctor was really great it might help easy your anxiety going onto the process.

MrsCase1 · December 2013

It was totally cheaper to see my ob without insurance than it was with insurance. Cash prices re always significantly lower than what they charge your insurance company. Don't rule it out!

babyt614 · December 2013

kibean said:

I am sorry this happening.How frustrating!

While I do not have medical anxiety, I do suffer from panic attacks and was taking medication prior to becoming pregnant. I also am a school psychologist (which always gets me looks when I talk about my anxiety with doctors, but whatever...it is not something to be ashamed of).

How bad is the anxiety/phobia? If the phobia is moderate and if you can utilize some anxiety reduction strategies such as meditation/visualization, deep breathing, etc, you might consider using this as an opportunity to face the fear and maybe even reduce the fear over time. Exposure to the things that you fear and having good experiences can significantly reduce your anxiety, while avoidance when you are anxious is very reinforcing and often makes the feelings worse.

Remember that anxiety/phobias are biochemical and are not your fault, but also remember there are things you can do and that you do not have to live with fears that impact your daily living quality.

I hope you feel better!

The anxiety is pretty bad (as in I didn't get back on to check this until now as I was up all night with panic attacks. I'm in therapy for it but have never been on medication for it because my phobia is so specific and in general doesn't interfere with day to day life. It is REALLY hard to remember its not my fault and makes me feel like a terrible mother, so thank you for that reminder!

babyt614 · December 2013

Hey all- just an update: had a long talk with my OB's office this morning. we are going to try and put through a single case exemption with my insurance company using my anxiety/high blood pressure to argue that change of care could result in harmful effects for myself and my baby. All good thoughts and prayers that this works/goes through would be appreciated! I don't know anyone else in the area who had a baby recently so if I have to switch dr.'s i'll be shooting blind (though thanks to your suggestions i will definitely be asking my dr. for an opinion)- but we are hoping and praying it doesn't come to that!

babyt614 · December 2013

Talk to your current OB's office and see if they have recomendations for another office who does cover your insurance. I would not stay all - it seems strange that they waited till the middle of Dec. to tell you as of 1/1 we wont take your insurance.

They are taking it through 1/30. sorry didnt mention that. apparently my insurance company has not been paying them the amount agreed and then the renegotiations for 2014 with all the new healthcare stuff made the office feel like it was an unacceptable bordering on unethical offer.

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merry freakin christmas

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