FNP prescribing a C-II for a family member?

elkpark · Dec 29, 2009

Who prescribed the Adderall you ran out of? Why would you not go back to that person, with whom you already have a professional relationship?

BSNtoPharmD · Dec 29, 2009

Who prescribed the Adderall you ran out of? Why would you not go back to that person, with whom you already have a professional relationship?

The psychiatrist who prescribed it no longer practices at the agency I received the Rx. In fact, I have no idea where she is now, I've tried tracking her down but can't find her!

Now that the psych no longer works there, for me to get an appointment with another person at the same agency, I am now considered a "NEW" patient and there's a very long waiting time for so-called "new patients". Despite a very good number of providers per 100,000, Massachusetts has absolutely horrible access to healthcare and pretty soon it's going to be this way in every state I'm afraid

allnurses Guide · Dec 29, 2009

I believe in MA that it is forbidden to write an Rx for any kind of a controlled substance for a family member. I'm surprised to hear you only have to wait 3 weeks to see a psychiatrist or psych NP-my patients (I am in MA also) have a 6-10 week wait. If I can be very frank here, if a new patient came to me in your situation, I would not consider it an emergency, and would certainly need more than 5 minutes to do a history and evaluation. If a patient waits til they run out of refills and then expects an immediate appointment, they cannot always be accomodated. There has to be certain amount of planning and responsibility on the patient's part. I'm not saying that is what has happened in your situation, but that is why providers may not be willing (or able) to fit in a new patient whom they have never seen before and may never see again, for a non-emergent situation. If your psych provider left without notifying you, then that practice should accomodate you and at least write you an Rx for enough med til you can see another provider. Does your school have a health services dept.? Perhaps you could get your records faxed to them from your previous provider and they would be willing to write a script. How about your primary care provider, who at least knows you? You also may want to double check with BCBS about not being valid out of state. I believe it is, as I had BCBS up until last September and I was able to use it out of state.

It's very frustrating to have to wait. I don't think that's unique to MA. We do have a huge shortage of mental health providers, and it's just as frustrating to providers as it is to patients. I hope you are able to get your medication, and can establish a relationship with a new provider shortly.

BSNtoPharmD · Dec 29, 2009

I believe in MA that it is forbidden to write an Rx for any kind of a controlled substance for a family member. I'm surprised to hear you only have to wait 3 weeks to see a psychiatrist or psych NP-my patients (I am in MA also) have a 6-10 week wait. If I can be very frank here, if a new patient came to me in your situation, I would not consider it an emergency, and would certainly need more than 5 minutes to do a history and evaluation. If a patient waits til they run out of refills and then expects an immediate appointment, they cannot always be accomodated. There has to be certain amount of planning and responsibility on the patient's part. I'm not saying that is what has happened in your situation, but that is why providers may not be willing (or able) to fit in a new patient whom they have never seen before and may never see again, for a non-emergent situation. If your psych provider left without notifying you, then that practice should accomodate you and at least write you an Rx for enough med til you can see another provider. Does your school have a health services dept.? Perhaps you could get your records faxed to them from your previous provider and they would be willing to write a script. How about your primary care provider, who at least knows you? You also may want to double check with BCBS about not being valid out of state. I believe it is, as I had BCBS up until last September and I was able to use it out of state.
It's very frustrating to have to wait. I don't think that's unique to MA. We do have a huge shortage of mental health providers, and it's just as frustrating to providers as it is to patients. I hope you are able to get your medication, and can establish a relationship with a new provider shortly.

Most of the places I called around to had a wait time that was quite a bit longer than three weeks (heck some weren't even taking new patients), but three weeks was the shortest wait I could find of all of them.

I agree the shortage of mental health care providers is frighteningly low, all around the country. When I lived in Arizona the waiting rooms seemed much less crowded and I was usually able to get re-fill scripts within a week of calling. I think it's because AZ is more stringent with their medicaid services and they don't require insurance for all citizens, like MA does. One of my nursing instructors once said, "you want quality, access and reasonable cost...but you can only pick two".

I did make it sound like I wasn't very proactive and as if I let the Rx run out. The two weeks before school let out were very hectic and after finding out my psychiatrist back home wasn't available anymore, I didn't call around to find another one because I erroneously convinced myself I was "too busy" studying to make a few phone calls!

BSNtoPharmD · Dec 29, 2009

BTW, thanks for the thorough and thoughtful reply, BCgradnurse. Boston College is an excellent school and it sure sounds like you're the cream of the crop :)

allnurses Guide · Dec 29, 2009

Why can't you just go to any physician? Surely anyone can write you a script and not just a mental health professional, if you take your old one in?