Cost of doctors appointment without insurance? Social anxiety disorder.?

Question by Manda.Pandah: Cost of doctors appointment without insurance? Social anxiety disorder.?
I am wanting to go to the doctor for social anxiety disorder. I am wondering how much it would cost in the US (I’m in Oklahoma) to go to the doctor for this reason without insurance. Also, what would they do (treatment/drug options)?
I do not have a job, I just take care of a little girl for a couple and I make around $ 75/week. Would a walk in clinic prescribe those things or would I need to see a specialist? I am about to have my first child and I would really like to get my anxiety under control so I can properly take care of her.

Best answer:

Answer by Kate
A lot of doctors will not even see you if you don’t have health insurance, especially specialists because they are so expensive to see. The bill for my psychiatrist before my insurance picks it up is something like $ 500. Do you not have insurance because you can’t afford it? Have you applied for Medicaid? If you are below a certain income level then you will probably qualify for Medicaid, which is a government-funded insurance program for people who can’t afford health insurance.

Here is a web page about Medicaid eligibility, from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

http://www.cms.gov/MedicaidEligibility/

In general, if you qualify for food stamps and/or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, formerly AFDC, Aid for Families with Dependent Children) then you probably also qualify for Medicaid. You can also look for a low-cost clinic in your area that may be willing to take you without insurance coverage.

Generally when you see a doctor for social anxiety they will ask you about your symptoms, how they feel, when they happen, etc. and once they make a diagnosis then they might prescribe you an antidepressant medication like Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, etc. Antidepressants like these (SSRIs) are also good at treating various anxiety disorders, so they may help relieve your symptoms. Therapy is usually a better treatment option for social anxiety IMO, but it is also expensive if you don’t have insurance so it doesn’t seem like a choice for you right now.

Good luck!

EDIT: Here is your “pie in the sky”:

http://www.okhca.org/

The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority page.

And here is a “how to apply” page for SoonerCare, Medicaid through the state of Oklahoma:

http://www.okhca.org/individuals.aspx?id=92&menu=40&parts=11601

Since you are pregnant, you qualify for Medicare and will continue to be eligible throughout the first year of your child’s life. Although in being pregnant, that means that you should not take antidepressant drugs to treat your anxiety. These drugs are not good for developing babies and can transfer into breastmilk. You should aim to breastfeed for the first 6 months, not only is it better for the baby but it’s cheaper for you!

I do not know if SoonerCare covers mental health visits, but if it does then you may be able to see a therapist in your community for low cost who can help you learn coping strategies to deal with your social anxiety. This kind of therapy is more effective than medication anyway, if you can afford it, so that’s good news. 🙂

Congrats on the new baby!

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