Changes and more...*

When my divorce became final, lots of things changed.   I had moved into an apartment a few months before so my address changed.   We had separated our finances, so my bill paying and various accounts changed.   I updated to just a cell phone (no land line) so my phone service changed.  Cable, auto and life insurance, social circles...so many changes!!

Beginning on July 1, my health insurance changed...For the first time in 35 years, I was on my own for medical insurance.   Fortunately, I was eligible for good insurance with my job, but it was another reminder that I was alone. 

I am blessed in many ways, rarely getting sick, taking medications to control blood pressure and cholesterol but other than that, no major medical expenses.  Until June 19, I was able to pay for my counseling through our medical savings account.   But, beginning on July 1, I was responsible for the sessions.   At one point, I realized that I might need to cut back from every two weeks for therapy to every three weeks.  It wasn't a terrible thing, because I was definitely getting better, but it was a little scary.  

Recently, I found out that my counseling fees may be partially covered by my insurance through work.    I have mentioned more than once, that my counselor has been a big part of my healing.   However, it does not come cheap.   Even cancelling at the last minute can cost the same as a full appointment.   It has been worth the money to me, but if there was a way to have some relief, who am I to pass it up?

I contacted Anthem and asked them the process for getting this reimbursement.   My counselor does not file insurance so she provided me with the necessary paperwork, codes, and fees charged to date so I could file a claim.  

Enter Shelby, my customer service rep with Anthem.   She was very kind, and although she could locate my counselor, she could not determine if she was in or out of network at that moment.   So, she politely told me what the policy stated for in and out of network.  In a nutshell, as expensive as my counseling is, there was no way I was going to reach the "out of pocket" limit for the year.   That's right...in network was close to $3000/annual and out of network a mere $5000/annual.  Basically, this meant once I got to these out of pocket limits, I could be reimbursed.   I was fairly certain my counselor would be out of network, so I thanked Shelby for her assistance and then hung up the phone and put my head on my desk.  I may have banged it a bit...

I am in a good place, let me make that clear!  The reason I am in a good place is because of the support of many family and friends and my counselor.   To be quite honest, I probably could have managed on some level without the counselor, but I'm not sure how long I could have done it.  Or just how long it would have taken me to come out of the sadness and funk...Go back to my earlier blog to see about that!    Very slowly, I have changed from weekly to every 2 weeks and recently, every 3 weeks.   Now, I'm thinking I may change to going monthly, but sometimes, that scares me.   I am not suicidal, I am not going to "go postal" and shoot up my workplace, but I do get anxious now and then...for a variety of reasons.   I have medication for the occasional anxiety, and I have a prescription for an anti-depressant, which I have not filled.   I already take 4 pills a day and I really didn't want to add another one.   Plus, I don't think of myself as depressed.  I'd much rather have a counselor, a hands on person, helping out.  I am a strong believer in medication as I do believe mental illness needs care, but for me, I need my counselor!
 

Let me say that you should not let cost get in the way of getting a counselor.   There are sliding scales (income vs. fees), shorter sessions (30 minutes vs 60 minutes), and other creative financing for treatment.   Don't battle your issues alone.   

With that being said, my mind goes to the hundreds of thousands of people who do not have insurance or good benefits or income for mental health treatment.   Is it any wonder why we have a population of people who are homeless, drug addicted, or violent, trying to survive?   We have to do something about mental illness and find a way to support those who suffer. 

Recently, I made a donation to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).   I am blessed...I am good...I can help others.   I hope we can make a change!

*This morning, Wednesday, is the tail end of a wicked virus I have had for a couple of days.   I realized during the past couple of days, my mental health is just part of me.  Being at "death's door" these past couple of days, physically struggling to get out of bed, and taking care of myself was a challenge.   But through it all, I had many texts, phone calls, and offers to drop off anything I needed at my door.   I don't get sick often, thankfully, and this virus kicked my butt, but once again, I realized that I'm not alone...I had many people just a call away.   It was my first sickness since being divorced and yeah, it wasn't easy, but I survived!   2019...don't even think I can't handle it!!