Those Liars!
By angel_smiles
@Lolaze (5093)
St. Louis, Missouri
November 12, 2015 12:35pm CST
A little over a week ago, I was forced to stop attending the intensive outpatient therapy program I'd been going to. They claimed it was all about money and that my insurance was hinting it wouldn't even pay for the last month I'd been attending treatment three days a week. Today, I found out that was all a lie!
My insurance paid for everything. The nurse practitioner simply wanted me gone because I'd been there too long in her opinion. So, I got discharged with one day's notice. And that one day's notice was only because the program's actual nurse (who is very sweet) warned me. They were actually planning on discharging someone still experiencing psychotic symptoms with no notice. Gotta love the mental healthcare system!
4 people like this
5 responses
@yukimori (10142)
• United States
12 Nov 15
I'd file a complaint with the state organization that regulates these things. That doesn't sound like an ethical decision to make regarding a patient's treatment. Even the statement about insurance is BS, because you should have signed a contract saying you'll be held responsible for any charges not paid by insurance.
Have you called the office to see if there is a patient advocate you can speak with regarding her decision to discharge you from the practice? I'd do that, and possibly escalate to the state board that oversees the practice if I don't get results that way. I'd also contact my insurance company to get in writing from them that the coverage and payments are not a legitimate issue.
I believe that there are also steps that need to be taken when discharging a patient at the practice's discretion, such as making sure they can continue treatment elsewhere. I'd see what you can find out about that.
How awful that someone can choose to deny you necessary treatment just because they think you've been there too long. Having mental illnesses doesn't make us less than anyone else. 
2 people like this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
13 Nov 15
Since they made sure I would be seeing a psychiatrist and therapist (both of my finding, not theirs), they are legally off the hook. The closest thing to an advocate there was the regular nurse, who was also the program manager. It was because of her I was able to stay as long as I did before they kicked me out.
I already had to file in-house complaints due to treatment by multiple staff members when I was inpatient at their hospital facility...I've seen what little good it does.
1 person likes this
@Castlerock34 (2259)
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
12 Nov 15
our healthcare system is a complete joke! I also suffer from bi polar and I can relate. It makes me so mad to even think about it
1 person likes this
@Castlerock34 (2259)
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
12 Nov 15
@Lolaze That sounds about right. That is how mine was too. I mean what if something happens in the meantime god forbid but the healthcare professionals really need to think about the people who they are screwing over
@yukimori (10142)
• United States
12 Nov 15
@Castlerock34 That's a great point that @Lolaze might be able to bring up--if they've improperly discharged her and denied her necessary treatment, it's totally possible they could be liable if something happens because of that.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157463)
• United States
12 Nov 15
It sounds like you are best out of there because she is not committed to helping you. However as Yuki says it sounds very unethical.
1 person likes this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
14 Nov 15
I am trying to get what is called case management services through two different places, but currently we are arguing because they say I'm too high functioning...despite not being able to live on my own, having been told by doctors I'm not supposed to work, and having psychotic episodes.
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
13 Nov 15
That is disgraceful, if your insurance was still giving cover they should not be allowed to do that.
Can you lodge an official complaint?
