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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anneke06 on December 31, 2007, at 13:00:17
I'm wondering if those of you with long-term therapists (longer than two years) are paying them more than when you first started. It occured to me that I'm still paying my therapist of 3 1/2 years the same rate as when I started...I would assume that a new client might be paying more. Any thoughts?
Posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 13:10:48
In reply to therapist rate hikes, posted by anneke06 on December 31, 2007, at 13:00:17
I insisted many years ago on paying my therapist more, since it had been years since I started. He said ok and raised my rates by $20, from $90 to $110.
I've since discovered that he gets much less per hour for insurance work, and that other therapists in the area charge ten to twenty dollars less than I'm paying.
So at this point, if he asked me to pay more I might just decide I don't need therapy anymore. I feel like I've compensated him highly for a long long time.
Posted by raisinb on December 31, 2007, at 13:31:52
In reply to Re: therapist rate hikes, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 13:10:48
Dinah's right. Mine is in a practice that has a deal with my insurance--$63 a session, and I live in a high-priced metro area.
(I'm not so good about opening mail, so when I finally checked and found this out, I felt a little guilty for the--oh, say eighty or so times I'd accused her of persuading me to stay just for money.)
Funny how every little detail can bring up one's issues :)
Posted by DAisym on December 31, 2007, at 15:27:26
In reply to Re: therapist rate hikes, posted by raisinb on December 31, 2007, at 13:31:52
I've been thinking about this lately too. I've been in therapy 4 1/2 years without a rate hike, but then again, I go 4xs a week and pay full fee - no insurance cuts, because my company has a reimbursement policy. I figure in some ways I'm getting a "volume" discount - plus I'm awfully reliable unless I'm traveling for work. We did come to an agreement about phone calls a while ago - I pay for phone therapy sessions. If I call him and it is a 5-minute, touch base, things are fine check in, then I don't. But if we spend time talking, then I do. It makes me feel better.
And...this is the business part of the work that no one really likes. I think it is up to the therapist to bring it up, to discuss rates and billing, etc. in a way that doesn't depersonalize the work. That is a tall order, because, of course, we all get our feelings hurt: "you mean you don't work with me just because I'm the gosh darn best patient you ever had?" -- Eat? What do you mean eat? You have to eat? pish-posh...
This is a tough subject.
Posted by Poet on January 1, 2008, at 13:39:33
In reply to therapist rate hikes, posted by anneke06 on December 31, 2007, at 13:00:17
Hi anneke06,
I've seen my therapist for five years and when the insurance coverage runs out I've always paid her $60 per session. She's never said to pay her more or that we need to talk about it, though you'd think she'd want a raise for putting up with me.
Poet
Posted by annierose on January 1, 2008, at 14:43:06
In reply to therapist rate hikes, posted by anneke06 on December 31, 2007, at 13:00:17
Unlike a lot of other posters on this subject, my therapist does raise my rate $5.00 each year. Although the increase is small, it is hurtful each year when it happens. The hurt comes from several places. First off, back to what Daisy wrote sort-of, "you mean you want more money to work with me?". Secondly, I do go three times a week --- doesn't that count for something like a quantity discout? So that $5.00, now equals $15.00 per week, $60.00 per month and approximately $700 per year (considering weeks off for our vacations).
And the most hurtful part of the rate increase comes from her participation in a national web site for therapists. It's a place that people can search to find a therapist in their area. Her rate on that site is less than she is charging me. I did mention this to her. She said she would get that changed. When it finally got changed, it is still less than what I am charged.
This is a sore point with me. Having said that, I am a business person and I do understand that her rent and expenses do probably increase each year.
Posted by anneke06 on January 1, 2008, at 19:15:47
In reply to therapist rate hikes, posted by anneke06 on December 31, 2007, at 13:00:17
Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!
Posted by Dinah on January 1, 2008, at 23:11:15
In reply to Re: therapist rate hikes, posted by annierose on January 1, 2008, at 14:43:06
I think that's the part that bothers me, too. I know that I'm paying more than his other clients, although I see him more often and reliably.
I also know he'd be delighted to get the fee he charges me from everyone, so it's not precisely that he needs more from me to put up with me or anything. It's more that he knows he can get it from me.
I remember once I had thought there was some possibility of insurance paying for my sessions with him and he mused sadly that he'd have to take less money if I used insurance. At my shocked glance he quit complaining, but...
Posted by muffled on January 1, 2008, at 23:15:23
In reply to Re: therapist rate hikes » annierose, posted by Dinah on January 1, 2008, at 23:11:15
mebbe you should revisit this topic with him dinah....?
I dunno.
Tough call.
But if its bugging you....
:-(
M
Posted by Dinah on January 2, 2008, at 7:38:41
In reply to Re: therapist rate hikes » Dinah, posted by muffled on January 1, 2008, at 23:15:23
Sometimes you have to take the bitter with the better. In my heart I know this really has nothing to do with me. It's who he is. If I accept him, I have to accept this.
Doesn't mean it doesn't rankle from time to time, but relationships are like that.
This is the end of the thread.
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