Getting an Adult ADD Diagnosis Without Insurance: SOLVED

Robos A Go Go

For a while now, I've felt that I might be suffering from Adult ADD, but since I didn't have insurance and felt comfortable enough living my life without knowing for certain I pushed the matter to the back of my mind and tried to forget it for the time being. Nowadays, however, I find myself thinking about the possibility more and more and wishing I could have the matter settled one way or another. If I do have it or something similar which I have mistaken for Adult ADD, then I'm doing myself a great disservice by letting the matter go unexamined. If I don't, then I'm letting a pretend illness excuse problems that I could perhaps handle myself without the aid of a psychiatrist. Either way, I feel I'm not doing myself any favors by leaving things alone.

So, what I'm wondering is how I could address things without insurance. Would it be advisable to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist without insurance? If so, how much should it cost me to get a diagnosis, and how much would medication cost if I was prescribed some? Would it be worth it?

In case it matters, I'm living near Boston right now. I realize I can get insurance through the state government, but from what I can tell they won't enroll you in MassHealth without proof of income in the form of pay stubs, unemployment checks, or whatever, and I haven't been able to find a job since moving here. If pursuing this matter without insurance would be too costly, then I could just wait until I've found employment, but if not then I'd rather get the ball rolling now.

Richard_Dastardly

Do you make too much money to go on medicaid?

Edit: Oh, I should read better

Robos A Go Go

Richard_Dastardly wrote: »

Do you make too much money to go on medicaid?

No, I'm not making any money right now, nor will I be making very much in the immediate future.

I only recently stopped being a dependent, so this is all pretty alien to me.

Richard_Dastardly

It seems a bit silly that you'd need employment to get on state aid, but... I suppose you could call some clinics or hospitals that offer psychiatric services and see whether or not they can work something out with you. The hospital I work for offers a temporary insurance funded by a charity, perhaps that's something you could look into.

VisionOfClarity

It's not state aid per say. You still pay but it's less than private and if you're really poor you can get it for near free. But you do have to be a resident and fit the income requirements and need to fill out some paperwork to prove this. Otherwise people who can afford private health insurance could easily lie and say they have no job and get the free/discounted health insurance.

Feral

Robos A Go Go wrote: »

I realize I can get insurance through the state government, but from what I can tell they won't enroll you in MassHealth without proof of income in the form of pay stubs, unemployment checks, or whatever, and I haven't been able to find a job since moving here.

How do you eat?

If your income is zero and you're living off of savings, then tell them your income is zero.

Don't go by "from what you can tell." Go into a county health department office and talk to somebody. Expect to wait around a while, but most counties have people who can help sort this out for you.

VisionOfClarity

Feral wrote: »

Robos A Go Go wrote: »

I realize I can get insurance through the state government, but from what I can tell they won't enroll you in MassHealth without proof of income in the form of pay stubs, unemployment checks, or whatever, and I haven't been able to find a job since moving here.

How do you eat?

If your income is zero and you're living off of savings, then tell them your income is zero.

Don't go by "from what you can tell." Go into a county health department office and talk to somebody. Expect to wait around a while, but most counties have people who can help sort this out for you.

You call or fill out the application. It's very difficult to get because in MA we're required to have health insurance. You have to prove you have no income because people have tried to take advantage of the free/low cost health care.

angrylinuxgeek

I think you need to analyze your priorities. You don't have a job and say you won't for awhile. Is it really important to spend money on getting diagnosed with "adult ADD"?

RUNN1NGMAN

angrylinuxgeek wrote: »

I think you need to analyze your priorities. You don't have a job and say you won't for awhile. Is it really important to spend money on getting diagnosed with "adult ADD"?

If the reason he can't find a job is the ADD, then yes.

OP, you need to call MassHealth and talk to someone, because I don't really think you have an accurate understanding of the program.

Robos A Go Go

angrylinuxgeek wrote: »

I think you need to analyze your priorities. You don't have a job and say you won't for awhile. Is it really important to spend money on getting diagnosed with "adult ADD"?

I'm not exactly destitute, and my parents are helping me out for the time being.

I am wary of paying out the nose for peace of mind and some meds, however, which is why I'm inquiring about the cost in the first place.

But yeah, I'll call MassHealth up.

Rend

angrylinuxgeek wrote: »

I think you need to analyze your priorities. You don't have a job and say you won't for awhile. Is it really important to spend money on getting diagnosed with "adult ADD"?

"Adult ADD" can be a very real force in day-to-day activities. Impaired working memory is nothing to sneeze at.

Hardtarget

....

If you were able to write that OP in 5 minutes or less than you do not have ADD

(also can't you just go to a GP and pay the fee for them to examine you?)

ceres

Well, I don't actually know anything about adult ADD.

I live in PA, not MA, so prices may be different there, but I can give you an idea of what it might cost for a psychiatrist around here, at least.

I had to see a psychiatrist for a one-off session a couple months ago. I knew I wouldn't be working with insurance, so I called around.. the places I called were all in the $175/hr ballpark.

Basically, do what I did and call around to some psychiatrists in your area. When you talk to them, start by telling them what you're actually looking to accomplish with your appointment. Ask what their fees are if you don't have insurance, and if they work on a sliding scale. If they aren't comfortable diagnosing your particular case (many have areas of specialty), see if they know of a psychiatrist in the community who might. Most will appreciate that it's important to try to catch a few on the phone anyway to find the right one for you. When you find one who you feel can meet your mental health and financial needs, be prepared to bring a check with the proper amount to your session.

Robos A Go Go

Apparently I misread the MassHealth page and they'll sign me up once I fill out my forms and gather the necessary documents. Boy, do I feel stupid!