Distraught...HELP!!!

Okay, I live in Mascoutah Illinois (about 10 minutes from Scott Air Force Base) and I am having a hell of a time trying to find a psychiatrist that is LOCAL or at least within 50 miles that I can see so that I can taken off HOLD status. I have been trying to find someone for the past month and a half now but am getting no where here. Cities around me are Ofallon, Collinsville, Caseyville, Troy, Swansea, Shilouh, Belleville, Highland, Lebanon, I can't think of any others...oh and I am willing to drive to any city in St. Louis but here's the catch. I have MEDICAID (or PUBLIC AID) so things maybe a bit more complicated. Please, if anyone has any help to offer...FEEL FREE because it is greatly appreciated. PS the counties are St. Clair, Madison (the counties closest to me), and St. Louis ANYONE THAT ACCEPTS ILLINOIS PUBLIC AID!!! Thanks a mil;)

Sorry to hear that you can't find anyone. I could not find anyone either so I had to pay out of pocket for my psych. exam. I hope you find someone soon. Off the subject but who are you going through for the surgery?

My surgeon is Dr. Vivek Prachand at the University of Chicago. He was WONDERFUL when I met with him. I've had my consult and gone to all the pre-op classes and prep courses but this is the only hold up. Okay so how much did it roughly cost you to go to the psych? I really need to get this taken care of...like ASAP. Good luck to you.

I would be distraught too. I paid for mine out of pocket and paid approx $200. but that was for two appointments and the 1000 question profile she did. I would start making some calls and check into the cost. Can you call Medicaid and have them refer you to someone local? What about your surgeon? Have you told his office the problem you are having locating a psychiatrist? I think there are a few people here on the IL board that have used Medicaid. I sure hope they can direct you to someone. Hang in there, it will happen. ((Hugs)) Christina

Thanks hon! I have been trying to call so many psychiatrists today and found that there is no one that accepts Medicaid but I also found some confusion. I have been told the psychiatrist that evaluated me that I was having problems but he just told me to try to google down here. I could go there and do it but they are saying that I would have to come there every week and that is just impossible with my 3 boys in school. By the way, I am having my surgery done in Chicago (U of C Hospital) and I live in a small town, Mascoutah, which is a 4.5 hour drive. I will do what I have to but I hope to find someone here even if I have to pay out-of-pocket. Thanks for the encouragement. Cherie

Well im in southern IL in the carbondale area and I can tell you there NOone around here ot do the exam with the medical card because I have looked. I hope you find one though.

Yep you are definitely right about that one Sandra. Thanks for your comment. By the way, did you ever find anyone and how much did it cost? Cherie

No I havent. Actually my consult isnt til May1st in chicago. I was just trying to line things up to see if I could get it all done in my area instead of traveling. But from what I have heard are out of pocket there are around 200.00 dont quote my though.I hope you find one. I would think in your area there would be several but I guess thats our luck huh?!

A psychologist would be alot cheaper if its accepted ( this is what I did) My coworker paid a bit ovr $200 for hers & it was in Maryville. Why dont you call Newstart in St L & have them send you the list of wt loss friendly psych's that they refer to?

That is so ironic because someone gave me a telephone number to someone in Maryville two days ago. I am not sure what the doctor's name is or anythign else for that matter but I do remember it being in Maryville. Thanks for your help, I will call Newstart and see what they say. Thanks again