Just checking back in – it’s been awhile. I too thought there was a mental health parity law… the two Bi-partison lawmakers… One was named Wellstrom I think cannot remember the other. However, I don’t believe it must have not gone through as clearly there is no parity. OR perhaps that’s why hospitals have joint replacement surgery as a same day surgery… It’s obviously not working…
Thanks for the reminder to check into this, @SueML and @hope4us still haven’t done it. Health insurance sign up will be soon, so I’ve got to sort this out for my daughter. I’m glad that Directions for living has a finance program that forgives alot of their charges for my daughter. So her care is covered, just seems weird to pay for health insurance that won’t cover mental health.
I’ve never heard of Directions for LIving… is that just in the state where you live?
I recently asked my husband’s doctor this very question. I explained how he does nothing and we have to walk on eggshells around him. The response I got was that, since he hasn’t signed an ROI (release of information) they can’t respond to me (which I expected) AND that anything I say is IRRELEVANT (which I find appalling). So, basically, they don’t give a rat’s patutti about those living in the same house and providing care and support to their patients. I’m supposed to shut up and be content with being a doormat.
I have been going through so much that I just lost faith in God. I became so angry with God because I feel that this is more than I can bare. Reading your words gave me comfort and encouragement to have faith in God again. Thank you.
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Do a search on this site for HIPAA, in particular [Severe Mental Illness, Family Members and HIPAA]. I highly recommend reading those links so you can know your rights. You absolutely CAN give information TO a medical provider. There is no guarantee what they do with that information, but I believe that many doctors/facilities will at least recognize that considering observations or additional information from the family could be in the best interest of the patient (and thus, their obligation to consider).