New Job, New City, New Insurance Plan – Finding a Psychiatrist

Hi there! I’m starting a new job (and with it, a new insurance plan) in a few weeks. I need to find a psychiatrist and I know from previous experience that it’s a really long process (weeks, at minimum). I would also really prefer to be able to have this squared away before I start work because I’m going to need both support during that transition AND medication to manage my symptoms and my responsibilities. However, my coverage won’t start until I start my job, and it seems like my new plan will require a referral for any psychiatric appointment. Between the upfront costs of a new apartment, the move, student loans, and just life I’m really, really tight (read, totally insolvent) on finances at the moment so I can’t afford to go through this process out of pocket, and I’m not sure if any in-network providers would see me before my coverage starts anyway.

I’m wondering (1) if health plans/providers typically let you start reaching out to providers before your coverage starts, (2) whether plans provide any retroactive coverage when you start a new job, and (3) if you have any other advice for managing this situation – it’s really adding a lot of anxiety to an already stressful transition.

If important – my new plan will be Kaiser, in CA, but I’m not sure what plan specifically. I don’t currently have a psychiatrist, and my current plan (university-based) will not give me a referral to a psychiatrist in a new state.

submitted by /u/brknbutfun
[comments]