My son wants me to also go to therapy because I'm depressed. I guess he's worried about me. Does anybody on medicare know how it works? Does your PC Dr have to recommend someone? Does medicare or your supplemental cover it? I don't even know where to begin. Thanks for any advice.
I think that it depends on what kind of medicare supplement you have, @Chrissy Page . The way that ours works, is we have the Medicare Advantage card (Cigna Heathsprings for us) and it has my primary doctor's name on it. Any other doctor that I see has to be recommended by my primary doctor. Look on your card and see if it has that on it, too. I think that this is how it works everywhere; but I am not sure about that and it might be different from state to state, or with different providers. You should have a book about your supplement that will also tell you what is covered and what is not. If you do not have a book, see if there is a toll-free number on the back of your insurance card so you can call your provider and ask what is covered.
Thanks, Yvonne. Yes, I did get a book, just have to remember where I put it. I'll look for it tomorrow after the AC is working. It's too hot to even move now in my house.
It's sad to see this thread. You know, depression is one thing that I'm scared of because it is about mood. I always want to be happy everyday and it's really sad when I had difficulty recovering from disappointments and frustrations at times. But I am glad that I haven't been hit by depression yet although I was almost on the verge last year when I was suspended in the office for a costly mistake (which was not really my own fault but the mistake of my subordinate so they suspended me for 1 day). I wish you can do something about it, @Chrissy Page and from what I know, there are good doctors who can prescribe you effective therapy for depression and not just medication.
I hope so and thanks for understanding. People don't like to talk about depression ...it's depressing, lol. I've never ever considered therapy for anything so it will be a first for me. Have no idea what's involved but I'll see. I did go to grief counseling when my husband died that was provided by Hospice but that didn't help too much but at least it got me out of the house.
Go for it. Whether it is grief or depression from biological sources, a good therapist will point you in the right direction. It will also givve you a place to vent with someone who is objective and not judging you. If you find it isn't helping, you can always quit.
Yes, that's what my son said. I felt guilty about canceling, now they have to scramble and find someone else to watch 3 boys for 5 days while they go on a trip but he told me not to feel guilty and just get better. And I can come at Christmas when I don't have the extra pressure of taking care of 3 boys when I'm not feeling well. It will just be a fun trip.
I suppose it works for some Chrissy. Over here there is counselling for free - do you not have such organisations over there ?
I don't know about free, Patsy. I'd have to research all this as it's an area I've never really looked at closely. It would probably be a group setting because I can't imagine one on one therapy for free here. Might have to also qualify for low income. I'm always a little above that so I never qualify. I think it's rigged, lol.