I hope someone can help me

[Craigers]

For some reason I am feeling really agitated about an issue I have been having. I just barely got my old insurance back with Kaiser and seeing a new familyu physician as of March 2009. I thought this Dr. had given me a good first good impression, but that isn't holding water.  There is an issue about a facility that he keep bring ing up for mental health called Winston Behavioral Health out here in Palm Desert, CA.  I have already explained to him that I have a couple of run ins with them and don't care to go back to them.  It has nothing to do with the Dr's themselves, but rather the receptioist that runs the place.  There has been a big issue of rather i Hav eto payu a $10 co-pay or not. I know that doesn't sound very much, but when you are on low-income it all adds up every time you go in to see them. The facility that is located in Palm Desert is th ecloset place I can go or get to without a car.  My ins. says no there is no co-pay but when stone says yes there is and they don't taake checks or credit card.  They want cash.  The issue I am having now is the every time I go to see myu family physician he keeps bringing it up. I just emailed him as the website allows me to email him, and saids to him, please respect my wishes that I don't want to go back to them and not to bring it up any more.  I feel like cutting again or smoking cause I can't deal with my anxiety.  Windstone isa the only company, believe it or not that my ins. covers.  If anyone can help, it would be much appreciated.

Craigers

[mammo]

The receptionist doesn't run the place, she may think she does, but she doesn't.  You need to speak with the office manager.  What I would do is get this place's fax number, and call your insurance company.  Tell them that this place keeps charging you a co-pay, which you don't have, and ask them to fax confirmation of this to their office.  Then request a refund of all the co-pays they made you pay, and if they refuse contact your insurance company and ask for their assistance with it. I would be suspicious of this girl insisting on cash, she may be pocketing the money!  It sounds like the doctors are good at this place, and the issue is the co-pay. If you still don't want to go there your doctor should respect your wishes. But if this is the only place your insurance covers, you really need to go there or else you would have to pay all out of pocket.  Ask your insurance to help you resolve this.  They are capable of doing this, as I have worked in medical billing, and in several doctor's offices.  Good Luck to you, and don't let this take you down, it's a bump in the road which I know you can handle.

[Craigers]

TY for your suggestions. I appreciate. I was losing all hope and didn't know where to go with this. It seemed kind of odd to me they would be pocketing the money too.  And them telling me they only take cash.  My famiuly phy. did tell me that as long as I go to my psaychologist that it would suffice in rather than going to Windstone Behavioral health.  The only thing that is still an issue is that My doctor needs to lay off of asking me every time I go to an appointment is that he keeps asking me if I have checked into Windstone, and he still does. I did find another doctor on the Kaiser website, but going to give the doc a benefit of hte doubt first

Craigers

[JeffGuy]

Your doctor will bill your insurance company (a lot), as well as the facility who wants cash for fear your co-payment check will bounce.  Do not worry and take advantage of what they have to offer in full!