Has Anyone Received Info on This?

*Beth* · Jun 04, 2020 at 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoiecat

Well I just got confirmation from Cigna again that they stopped covering telehealth as of 5/31. My T said they told him it was extended but they again told me know based on my particular version of Cigna. Not sure what that will mean for me. I guess I will find out this afternoon at my next appointment. (or no appointment because I will not be going if it is not covered)

Did you find out?

zoiecat · Jun 04, 2020 at 04:08 PM

I called Cigna again after my T said we keep getting conflicting info. I finally got someone at Cigna that knew what they were talking about. They confirmed that Mental Health does have permanent telehealth appointments. I also asked my T how long he expected to be doing telehealth sessions. He said he likes his office but he has to consider if he is going to continue paying rent for something he is not using. He said he feels as long as telehealth is available he should do it. He said he doesn't know if he will ever go back to in person but he hinted that if he does it may not be until January or after they get a vaccine and better testing options. That really sucks for me because I hate doing EMDR over video. If he doesn't go back to in person I may have to find someone else.

*Beth* · Jun 04, 2020 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoiecat

I called Cigna again after my T said we keep getting conflicting info. I finally got someone at Cigna that knew what they were talking about. They confirmed that Mental Health does have permanent telehealth appointments. I also asked my T how long he expected to be doing telehealth sessions. He said he likes his office but he has to consider if he is going to continue paying rent for something he is not using. He said he feels as long as telehealth is available he should do it. He said he doesn't know if he will ever go back to in person but he hinted that if he does it may not be until January or after they get a vaccine and better testing options. That really sucks for me because I hate doing EMDR over video. If he doesn't go back to in person I may have to find someone else.

Good that your insurance is paying. But I hear you on the telehealth sessions. It's disheartening to hear that he might stay with telehealth.

nottrustin · Jun 04, 2020 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoiecat

I called Cigna again after my T said we keep getting conflicting info. I finally got someone at Cigna that knew what they were talking about. They confirmed that Mental Health does have permanent telehealth appointments. I also asked my T how long he expected to be doing telehealth sessions. He said he likes his office but he has to consider if he is going to continue paying rent for something he is not using. He said he feels as long as telehealth is available he should do it. He said he doesn't know if he will ever go back to in person but he hinted that if he does it may not be until January or after they get a vaccine and better testing options. That really sucks for me because I hate doing EMDR over video. If he doesn't go back to in person I may have to find someone else.

Sorry you are dealing with this.

I was surprised you were told Cigna would not cover teletherapy anymore. I have Cigna and one of the things that at and I like is they have covered video sessions for a few years. They didn't cover phone sessions but the covered videos.

*Beth* · Jun 04, 2020 at 10:16 PM

I found out today that teletherapy will continue until there's a vaccine or...I don't know...something causes the virus to depart from the earth. My therapist said that if she had to do teletherapy indefinitely she would retire. So I'm relieved, at least, that she does want to return to IRL sessions. That said, I doubt I'll see her in office before at least the beginning of 2021.

Mountaindewed · Jun 11, 2020 at 05:44 PM

My therapist told me today that the office still doesn’t have a definite date but they are trying to figure out how to open. First they have to sanitize the place and figure out how to deal with people in the waiting room. Then doctors have to go back first. Then people who really can’t do video sessions need to go back first. An example my therapist gave me was a domestic abuse situation. My therapist said she would probably do one day at the office. She said some insurances would cover video sessions until the end of the month and some were covering until the end of the year. She said she’s possibly going to open by the end of the summer.

She she said she doesn’t have anyone who’s in emergency need of in person sessions. So she said she’d schedule me first since I have been having such an incredibly hard time with the online ones and they have been affecting me so badly.

*Beth* · Jun 11, 2020 at 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

My therapist told me today that the office still doesn’t have a definite date but they are trying to figure out how to open. First they have to sanitize the place and figure out how to deal with people in the waiting room. Then doctors have to go back first. Then people who really can’t do video sessions need to go back first. An example my therapist gave me was a domestic abuse situation. My therapist said she would probably do one day at the office. She said some insurances would cover video sessions until the end of the month and some were covering until the end of the year. She said she’s possibly going to open by the end of the summer.

She she said she doesn’t have anyone who’s in emergency need of in person sessions. So she said she’d schedule me first since I have been having such an incredibly hard time with the online ones and they have been affecting me so badly.

I just cannot understand why everything is open (except events where huge crowds would gather), but medical offices are still closed. The whole thing seems backwards to me.

LonesomeTonight · Jun 11, 2020 at 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

I just cannot understand why everything is open (except events where huge crowds would gather), but medical offices are still closed. The whole thing seems backwards to me.

Medical offices here are open (my H had an orthopedist appointment in person last week, though his follow-up next week is via telehealth), but my T is choosing to hold off on seeing clients in person. He said it's what a therapist list-serv and I think another professional organization he's in are advising right now.

A regular medical doctor's office is also better set up for regular sanitizing. Like, having the disposable paper on exam tables, for example, and things that are easily wiped down. Many T offices have, say, fabric couches and chairs, which would be difficult to sanitize (my T has mentioned the need to sanitize as a concern, though most of his furniture is leather).

Plus right now masks are required to be worn indoors in my state. Not a big deal for an orthopedist appointment, but I'd think it would be more of an issue for therapy, where you want to see facial expressions. And I tend to cry in therapy, so how would that work with a mask? I wouldn't be able to blow my nose. So I understand his decision.

Mountaindewed · Jun 11, 2020 at 06:40 PM

Most places in my state are open. Except therapy. My plastic surgeon is even open. But yeah, I was told that the masks and being able to see emotions is one of the main issues they aren’t opening.

*Beth* · Jun 11, 2020 at 09:24 PM

My therapist and my pdoc are in a building that is a medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic. The clinic is closed and will only do video medicine. California was the first state to shut down and we've been extremely cautious. Our stats have stayed pretty low, all along. But now everything has reopened except venues for large crowds - and medical offices (except hospitals)! I cannot understand where the logic is.

Travelinglady · Jun 14, 2020 at 07:33 AM

I just assumed these sessions would be paid for like regular sessions, so the same insurance coverage would continue. Wow! (I have Medicare and BC/BS .)

SlumberKitty · Jun 15, 2020 at 12:50 PM

My T told me on Saturday that she was seeing clients again in person with masks and six feet apart, so we scheduled in person for the end of the month. Unless something unforeseen happens, then I'll get to see her soon.

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Has Anyone Received Info on This?

My Support Forums

Mountaindewed Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Jun 2016 Location: Where the sidewalk ends Posts: 36,123 (SuperPoster!) 7 8,737 hugs given	Jun 11, 2020 at 06:40 PM #49 Most places in my state are open. Except therapy. My plastic surgeon is even open. But yeah, I was told that the masks and being able to see emotions is one of the main issues they aren’t opening. __________________ Ridin' with Biden
	Reply With Quote

Travelinglady Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Sep 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 47,983 (SuperPoster!) 13 22.9k hugs given	Jun 14, 2020 at 07:33 AM #51 I just assumed these sessions would be paid for like regular sessions, so the same insurance coverage would continue. Wow! (I have Medicare and BC/BS .)
	Reply With Quote

SlumberKitty Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Jul 2018 Location: CA Posts: 27,329 (SuperPoster!) 5 117.7k hugs given	Jun 15, 2020 at 12:50 PM #52 My T told me on Saturday that she was seeing clients again in person with masks and six feet apart, so we scheduled in person for the end of the month. Unless something unforeseen happens, then I'll get to see her soon. __________________ Dum Spiro Spero IC XC NIKA
	Reply With Quote