Friggin'@#$#@@@@@@-

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Registered: 04-28-2007
Friggin'@#$#@@@@@@-
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Wed, 05-02-2007 - 9:30pm

So after looking for an OT office for months that would deal with both boys' issues the one we found and love IS CLOSING!!!!!! Everyone including the therapists only received two weeks notice. I am beside myself. I was paying out of pocket as it was, but apparently the red tape and beurocracy of medicaid and changes in Peachcare (Georgia's children's insurance) has made it impossible for the clinic to stay open This is the 2nd clinic to close in the county in 6 months, and yes the 2nd I've been to as well. So now we have to begin the search again; I had such a better insight into Cian and his sensory needs and motor deficits in just the last few weeks with this OT-she's great with him. And Liam's OT was big into the Engine program and social skills....it just was too perfect I guess....sigh!

I am hoping Cian's therapist will begin her own small practice (she's talking about converting her playroom at home into a sensory/motor room, and I am seeing where else Liam's therapist goes. What a way to enter the summer. I haven't told the boys yet; I'm hoping we can quietly slip away for a few weeks and then reintroduce it once the dust settles.

Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2007
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 9:45pm
Dee,
I am so frustrated for you! You spend so much energy, time and money and you want the right match for your kid and then this happens. UGH! I went through a similar experience trying to find OT for my son last year.
I hope the OT's are able to get their clinics going.
Since I am also on the "other side"(I am a PT, but I work with mostly adults) I can give you this perspective. The hospital system I work for said that the NC medicaid ( and therefore often commercial insurances following suit) pay so poorly for treatment of a child that in order for us to keep our pediatric outpt. clinic open for therapy, they consider it a write off. What private practice clinic can handle that? In my area the only people who can make it work are home health practices, because they don't have the overhead (and therefore also the benefit from) a clinic or people like your OT's who do it out of a room in their house.
You'll be in my thoughts.
Kara
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Registered: 04-28-2007
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 10:03pm

Thanks kara,

Yeah, I know medicaid just plain sucks in terms of payment for pediatric services. Liam's on the waiver list and once funds are available they'll still only cover 2 hours a month of PT/OT ?speech combined.

The clinic was allowing me to pay the medicaid rate as it was; a hefty chunk of change to us(over $120 per week for both boys), but I know in terms of keeping the clinc solvent...well I'm not all that surprised. I guess the owner was trying to make it work and just couldn't do it anymore. I'll try to find a good enough substitute for now and chase both OT's up in a few weeks to see if they have gotten their own businesses off the ground yet.

My girlfriend used to work in the billing deopt of a large PT clinic and she has told me over and over..."dump the hmo, get a ppo." Come open season watch me, lol!!

Dee

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Registered: 11-28-2006
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 12:32am

Damb Health Care Systems!!!! That burns me, 2 hours a month????

GRRRRRRRR

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 7:51am

ah geez! that stinks! poor kiddos. I hope you're able to follow the therapists, sounds like you were making good progress.

Betsy

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 8:56am

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Registered: 12-22-2003
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 9:14am

(((((Dee)))))& Kara-

Now you know why my DH the PT won't take a job where part of his salary/bonus structure is production based and the vast majority of the patients are Medicaid. Honestly, I think the entire Medicaid system is why he started specializing in Workers Comp.

Of course, since two of the target states we hoping to relocate to are NC and GA, you BOTH make me nervous! ;-)

Amy

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Avatar for nutmegspice
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 10:14am

Bleepin' aye....Dee

How frustrating! I really hope that your therapist does open her own practise. That would be awesome...

Crossing my fingers for you!

Chrystee

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