sub doctors what do you get for your 300.00 bucks

[avisg]

I have a question for people that have taken sub ,,,,, what do you get for your money..... Do they give you addiction counseling ,are the pills included in the price of the visit ? Are they extra..... I am just wondering ? Sub was not an option for me ,because i took ultram...I see these posts where sub doctor charge a lot ....so it just made me wonder what it is that they are charging so much for...

[liscamdave]

I am not positive, but alot of Sub doctors only take cash. As it is supposed to be a quick fix for detoxing. Sub is not intended to be on for long periods of time. If it is done properly, it can be very effective. I tried it once, but didn't follow my dr.s orders and when I stopped the sub, I went through w.d anyway. My Sub doctor was $350.00, included one months supply of Suboxone, all dr.s visits until the end of treatment and scripts for Baclofen, Clonodine, Carbidope (RLS) and Valium. That was also the same amount I paid for the Naltrexone treatment. Same scripts, visits and the Naltrexone shots. I hope this helps...I'm confusing myself....lol...

xo, Lisa

[avisg]

I would think even for 250 or for that matter 90.00 a visit they would provide some counseling ..... The two need to work hand in hand mental and physical

[CAliGirl888]

Well Iam also fully Insured by Kaiser and they didnt cover ANY outside Sub Doctors!  I called many docs in Southern Cali and most charged 300-500 just for the Initial visit and this DID NOT include pills... They also said they only took CASH! So I got to thinking wow they can charge whatever they want and get away with it.....   After searching i found one for $150 for initial visit, 30 pills for $150.00 and basically its up to me on how long I want to be on them for because my doctor talked to me for about 15 minutes  and said ok you can see me every week and its $75 a visit, I thouhgt to myself i cant afford that and she doesnt even spend much time talking to me! So iam finding a counselor at kaiser to help me with after care, and my plan is to see my doctor 1 more time and do 1 more perscription and then be off.... Its  up to the person to do after care because subs are to just get u thru withdrawla and cravings.... PLEASE be careful everyone alot of Sub Docs try to get u for ur money because they know they can please research your doc and have a plan!!!!!!!Dont let them persuade into thinking u have to see them once a week... BE strong

[CAliGirl888]

I thank god I found suboxone because it has helped, but I know to stay clean its really up to..

[avisg]

thank you ,
I am glad the sub is helping ,I just wished they spent as much time trying to help the mental aspect of addiction......

[CAliGirl888]

I wish they did too, it seems as though the mental is the hardest... Just knowing that I can go see a doctor @ kaiser and ask for Vicodin 100 pills for $5.00 thats my copay is the parts that messes with me the most!   u said u took ultram?     I mixed that in with my Norco and my sub doctor said she treats mostly anything....

[avisg]

yes ,tram was my d.o.c,,,, i tapered off.......  ...... Well most sub doctor don't treat tram because it is not considered a opiate..... I think it is great that you are trying to deal with the mental part ..... that well make such a big difference in keeping you clean...
avis

[imanaddict]

My visit was $225 for the first visit, and after that they will take my insurance. My pills cost me $50 for 180 pills/month, with insurance. I go back to the sub dr. on the 16th. I'm not sure yet what I will be paying, or even if my insurance is going to cover me, but I'll find out then. The first week of being on the sub, I was in the office 4 out of 5 days. I asked them if I had to pay everytime I came in because I was BROKE! They let me slide on it and said not to worry about it, we'll just wait and see what the insurance company says when I come back on the 16th. I do not get professional counseling there either, which is why I come here. No, this forum isn't full of medical experts, but it helps me tremendously! I come on here everyday, usually post several times and get some encouraging words, which is probably the exact same things I would get at an NA Meeting. I have been fortunate that the suboxone has done wonders for me! I knew the mental part of the addiction was the hardest and the subs have controlled every aspect of that for me. I am starting to feel a lot more powerful over this addiction, and I honestly feel I will be ready very soon to be on my own.

Thanks for listening!!

[snowtard]

i paid 300 for the first visit, that did not include meds,or counsling. then i have to go once a week at 80 bucks per visit, i am paying $14 per pill(which seems really really high to me) but to me it is worth it, when i was buying norcs off the street they were $6 each, and when i was buying oxy off the street they were $45 for one 80mg pill, so i really cant ***** about the price figuring my oxy habit was up too $400 every 3 days.

[kyjobr]

I absolutely disagree with your statement that sub is meant for short term use only.  If you do the research you'll see that it was developed and tested and approved for med-long term use.  The guidelines discuss short term detox so if you are going to jail etc.  There is just so much wrong info on this drug that I'm just disgusted with how it's spread around.  How are people supposed to make a educated decision when the place they go to for help is feeding them a bunch of BS?  I'm sorry, I've been very patient with others opinions but lately it's just driving me nuts.  I've always been up front about where I get my info from.  I would suggest others do the same for their "research".

[hillary5]

hi .. i paid 275 which cov'd the first 3 visits w/at least a 1/2 hr of the dr's time at each visit .. then it's 60/mo + 10 for urine test - i only pay a 10.00 copay for the pills themselves ... i have been seeing my sub dr for going on 8 mos now and each and every time i'm there, i spend at least a 1/2 hr w/him, sometimes more .. depends on how i'm doing at that time and all since depression had hit me 2 mos ago ... i've also made him my PCP because he is such a caring person w/a great bed side manner .. he's not there to get as many patients in and out just for the cash ... 2 of my friends also go there and they have nothing but good things to say about him ... peace!   :o)

[liscamdave]

I would suggest you get off of the meds......

[wait2long]

liscamdave,please, no offense from me meant hun, but i fully understand kyjobr's frustration..there is alot of information provided for sub and its use, it is not just for short term.  i transitionded from methadone, withdrawals from methadone last 30+ days,  how would a 10 or 21 day detox help me even if i decide to use it just for the withdrawals?  it is a drug that has to be used on an individual basis, if you can do it on short term only, then i say great, go for it, because it does work that way for some...but not all, everyone is different when it comes to this med, but as long as your informed and have a plan on what is best suited for you than the better chance of success you will have whether its short term detox or long term maintenance., and of course combined with therapy , meetings or something to help you learn the tools to stay addiction free. i am on long term maintenance as this was best suited for me and my situation.

WOW!!!  I AM SO VERY LUCKY !  i read all these stories about doctors and their fees, i have been on suboxone since end of may, my sub doctor, calls me all the time, she meets with me often, she even makes house calls because i am stuck without transportation often, and to this day...she has not charged me one cent, , she knows i do not have insurance... she has gone out of her way to help me any way possible...i do have to cover the cost of the meds out of pocket, (but its cheaper than if i was still in active addiction by far!)  and i am on a sliding fee scale for my weekly therapy...i am so greatful, i wish EVERYONE could have my caring, and more than helpful doctor...she should give out lessons to some of these other doctors who do charge more than necessary...although she did tell me she thought the high fees,may be because it is considered a BIG RISK in the medical community to help an addict who is still in active addiction up until the day before they actually get the help the need and deserve.  maybe malpractice may play a role in these high fees???  just a thought, as i do not know this for sure.

[Stacy79]

Sub is absolutely NOT a quick fix for detoxing.  Sub is prescribed and intended to be safely taken for a long period of time, so that the person can work on the mental side of their addiction.  Also, you really shouldn't be telling anyone to get off of any meds, just because you don't like their response to you.

avisg: My first visit was only $125 (cash only), and each subsequent visit is $60.  However when my insurance kicks in in December, my Sub doctor accepts it.  Also, my first 30 pills (8mg each) were $150, but again, when my insurance kicks in, they will be $3.00 for a monthly supply.  The doctor's fee only covers getting in to get the script.  Then you have to go to the pharmacy and buy the meds.  Also, there isn't any counseling there, I assume because they are not mental health doctors.  I know that a lot of methadone programs, where you pay one standard fee and get the pills every morning, include counseling.  I think that's because you have to go to the clinic anyway, to get the meds, so there are other services available.  But with Suboxone, it is scheduled so that doctors can just write the script for at-home administration, and be done with it.