I just want to scream!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NYC area
Posts: 856
I just want to scream!
My son's been trying to get into a specific IOP program since mid-March. He has gotten the runaround from then until last week. Monday last week they said, ok, we'll call you tomorrow and schedule your intake. Naturally they didn't call (again). But also same day he got a June 1 commitment from another IOP. So today he was confirming directions to the "other" IOP for his intake oh and BTW, they told him they don't take his insurance (yet I know they do because I checked) and started giving him prices that he sure can't afford (starting with $125 today for the intake appointment, which he does not have). So he called back the first IOP, which had been giving him a runaround, and now he has a confirmed appointment for 2.5 weeks from now, but they said people often no-show or cancel, so he will likely get in sooner. BUT I am positive THAT IOP is NOT in his insurance, and the one that says they're NOT, in fact IS. But they do have a sliding scale fee schedule, I believe.
This is insane. If he had any other illness, the PCP doctor's office manager would set him up for treatment with a specialist. If you have substance abuse, you get abused just trying to find treatment!
Then he just called me and now he's got a call into a THIRD IOP that advertises it takes medicaid (which he does not have) and private pay on a sliding scale. Hell, he makes so little money maybe he'll get a good deal on the sliding scale. At this point I am so frustrated. He is TRYING SO DAMN HARD and yet another disappointment.
This is insane. If he had any other illness, the PCP doctor's office manager would set him up for treatment with a specialist. If you have substance abuse, you get abused just trying to find treatment!
Then he just called me and now he's got a call into a THIRD IOP that advertises it takes medicaid (which he does not have) and private pay on a sliding scale. Hell, he makes so little money maybe he'll get a good deal on the sliding scale. At this point I am so frustrated. He is TRYING SO DAMN HARD and yet another disappointment.
Nature Girl
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
Maybe he could call the Salvation Army and ask them. They have very good long term programs that are free and they may be able to suggest an IOP that would work for him.
I know it`s frustrating, I went through all this with my son and in the end every program he went to was free or covered through social services (we are in Canada).
Good luck, I hope he finds help soon.
I know it`s frustrating, I went through all this with my son and in the end every program he went to was free or covered through social services (we are in Canada).
Good luck, I hope he finds help soon.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 468
Jenna - MAN do I understand. These places have got to realize that when an addict is ready to go, you must act right then. Putting it off for two weeks could be a case of life or death. And an addict can quickly change his mind in that time.
My AH is currently looking into sober living options. One place told me we have to fill out a form, wait for everything to be processed, come by for an interview, etc and the entire process can take two weeks. I wanted to respond with "HA! You don't get it do you?" But I didn't...
My AH is currently looking into sober living options. One place told me we have to fill out a form, wait for everything to be processed, come by for an interview, etc and the entire process can take two weeks. I wanted to respond with "HA! You don't get it do you?" But I didn't...
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 468
Also... Local places require significant funds up front. Sorry, but my AH's active addiction has STOLEN all that I have plus some, so not sure how you'd like me to come up with $1k to secure him a spot. And if AH just happens upon money during active addiction I can tell you what he won't be putting it toward, and that's treatment.
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 90
I'm not sure how much help any of this will be, since I don't really know the backstory, but...
I went to rehab to stabilize and avoid suicide. It was inpatient. BUT, the people in that inpatient program got preferred placement into their IOP. At the inpatient intake, you basically just had to show up and tell them it was definitely an emergency. Cooperative people were on to IOP as soon as they were detoxed, or in three days if they came in sober. (But it was up to the psychiatrists.)
As far as insurance and which programs are covered - after a really frustrating couple of hours of solid confusing phone calls, I called the number on my insurance card. They connected me with a patient advocate who gave me a list of all of the covered programs within a certain distance and their phone numbers. I sat down with that list and started calling. I did end up having to pay a good bit up front. I called and got my credit line extended on my credit card, just told them it was for medical bills. HORRIBLE financial decision, but it was the only option I had at the time.
Every time, I had to explain that yes, it was an emergency situation. But, a few hours later, I found somewhere.
I understand that suicide and addiction are different, but they're treated in the same places. In fact, I had the option of joining the IOP. I hope maybe some of this might help.
I hope you guys get this worked out soon! Sending love your way!
I went to rehab to stabilize and avoid suicide. It was inpatient. BUT, the people in that inpatient program got preferred placement into their IOP. At the inpatient intake, you basically just had to show up and tell them it was definitely an emergency. Cooperative people were on to IOP as soon as they were detoxed, or in three days if they came in sober. (But it was up to the psychiatrists.)
As far as insurance and which programs are covered - after a really frustrating couple of hours of solid confusing phone calls, I called the number on my insurance card. They connected me with a patient advocate who gave me a list of all of the covered programs within a certain distance and their phone numbers. I sat down with that list and started calling. I did end up having to pay a good bit up front. I called and got my credit line extended on my credit card, just told them it was for medical bills. HORRIBLE financial decision, but it was the only option I had at the time.
Every time, I had to explain that yes, it was an emergency situation. But, a few hours later, I found somewhere.
I understand that suicide and addiction are different, but they're treated in the same places. In fact, I had the option of joining the IOP. I hope maybe some of this might help.
I hope you guys get this worked out soon! Sending love your way!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NYC area
Posts: 856
Thank you all for reading my rant and your helpful responses!!
My son attended detox/inpatient at Place A one year ago, and they released him to IOP at PlaceB. He completed IOP at Place B several months ago. Had a brief slip and now wants to get back to IOP to get the reinforcement. So I'd have thought both A and B would prioritize him since he'd previously been in each of their programs. Sigh. It'll work out, and in the meantime his sponsor has been terrific. Last night he came home full of enthusiasm about the Just For Today reading they'd done together. There was a spark to his personality and he looked (dare I say it?) happy.
My son attended detox/inpatient at Place A one year ago, and they released him to IOP at PlaceB. He completed IOP at Place B several months ago. Had a brief slip and now wants to get back to IOP to get the reinforcement. So I'd have thought both A and B would prioritize him since he'd previously been in each of their programs. Sigh. It'll work out, and in the meantime his sponsor has been terrific. Last night he came home full of enthusiasm about the Just For Today reading they'd done together. There was a spark to his personality and he looked (dare I say it?) happy.
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