Four Years Later, I Have Health Insurance

It has been about four years since I have had health insurance of any kind. Following a psychotic episode in 2017, I made the difficult decision to drop out of my PhD program in order to take care of me. Since I was no longer a student and only working part-time jobs, healthcare was unfortunately placed on the back burner. Paying for health insurance out-of-pocket was just not affordable for me. About four years ago, I volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama and learned of a community mental health center in my area where I could receive therapy and medication management at a very low cost. I very much appreciate what they were able to do for me in the interim during my time of struggle. However, unsatisfied with the service and in desperate need of medication, I am in the market for something else. And, now that I have graduated from a different academic program and am employed full time in my field, the first thing I am doing is taking back my health, beginning with my mental health.

I started doing online searches for providers who accept my insurance, but the list is just too long. So instead, on Tuesday of this week I asked a classmate who also has bipolar disorder where she received services when she still lived here. She gave me the name of a therapist (which I don’t think I need at this time) and a nurse practitioner. Strangely enough, upon hearing the name of the NP, I recalled that an old coworker of mine saw the same person and highly recommended her as well. That was really all I needed to give this place a try. While I am not seeing that particular NP for my intake appointment this coming Monday, I am still so excited to get back on track. I am already impressed with how quickly they return my calls and with how soon they were able to schedule my first appointment. I will definitely let y’all know how that goes!

Signed,

Lai (Bipolar I)