I think I need to see a doctor but am afraid to use my company's insurance?!
Question: Not a medical doctor, a shrink. I just don't want them knowing what's going on. I don't want them to think I'm unstable or something. I was thinking of saving up some of my own money and paying for it that way.
Answers: Not a medical doctor, a shrink. I just don't want them knowing what's going on. I don't want them to think I'm unstable or something. I was thinking of saving up some of my own money and paying for it that way.
Shrinks are not cheap my friend. You are paying for insurance, I would use it. My guess is that if you are at a point where you are considering a shrink someone at work has noticed that you are in some way not yourself. People will only think you are unstable if you let things go to the point that you are ill and become dysfunctional at home or at work.
Your company is not privy to the nitty gritty of what goes on with the shrink. When the shrink bills your insurance there will be a code for the diagnosis but thats it. The personal stuff you tell them will not be up for review. There are special federal laws that are designed to make sure private health information is only shared with those in the absolute need to know. Psychotherapy notes are even more closely protected and in some cases cannot be given up without a court order.
I'm a psychiatrist. When I reported to my new duty station I had to apply for credentials and I had to put down that I had been treated for depression and still take medication. I got credentials with no problems. I deployed with the Navy last year and will probably go again. Having a diagnosis in no way impaired my ability to do those things and in no way undermined my credibility with my co-workers, as evidenced by the fact that I had so many people that came referred specifically to me that I couldn't see them all. If I had not gotten help in the first place, my depression would have effected my ability to care for patients-that definitely would have caught people's attention. Please try to put your worries about this aside-being healthy is more important and your functioning will ultimately determine how your company views you.
Even though your insurance is through your company it is private to you. No one but you should have access to it and your info remains confidential. If your company has access to your private data through insurance, they are violating privacy acts.
Your company won't know that you consulted a psychiatrist. Especially if your family doctor recommends it, go for it. However, if you leave the job and buy your own insurance in the next year or so, it's possible that any emotional problem could be considered a "pre-existing condition" and not covered for some period of time.
the other solution, possibly would be that at the next election you vote for the candidate that is in favor of a universal health care. that way when you need to see a doctor you get to make an appointment worry free.