@MaterS - you should call your state healthcare ombudsman and make a formal privacy complaint.
@lifeisfinite if you plan to pay your own way in the future including not using insurance, I highly suggest that you try to negotiate a cash discount but you would most likely have to pay as you go. It isn’t unusual for a physician/therapist/hospital to reduce the cost in order not to have to mess with billing insurance, then patient and possibly working out a payment plan. It is more time for them and costs them more. Negotiating a cash discount is worth a try.
@OP -
What happens if you are not cleared for your sport? Your parents will find out if you lose your scholarship.
Believe me, I understand where you are coming from. There are many things my parents went to their graves never knowing about me, some of which involved me paying for my own medical care during and after college, but none affected my mental health or my ability to remain in school, which I paid for entirely by myself. However, these are different times and, again, I urge you to consider talking to them. I had a bf who is bipolar and he could not have functioned in life (he was in his 20’s when diagnosed) if not for his parents’ help and involvement. You want to get ahead of this situation. Talk to the therapist first and see what your actual diagnosis is and then make a plan.
Good luck.
if I’m not cleared I won’t lose the scholarship, people aren’t cleared for injuries all the time and are fine as long as they intend to play when fit. we’re in offseason training so it doesn’t matter. my parents cannot and will not know, I can’t stress that enough. thanks for the help
I am still surprised that you answered the mental health questionnaire in the way you did. I hope the net result is that you get the help that you want. Perhaps the football staff will direct you to help. Paying yourself can be very expensive, even with sliding scale. I am hoping there is someone at school who can see you, first- no info goes to your parents if not in the insurance system. Good luck!
I answered it the way I did because I know I need help and I’ve needed it for a long time but I don’t think I have it in me to straight up ask for it. thank you for the well wishes and if a moderator could close this thread I would appreciate it
just wanted to add Best of luck to you, and I hope this gets better for you - with help, it usually does.
Good for you for seeking help. I’m sorry you can’t talk to your parents but please speak to someone you can trust about what’s going on.
I thought I would update you all. I reached out for help thru my trainers and team doc and they are getting me set up with the help I need. I will admit that I wasn’t completely honest and a little dismissive and held back on how bad things were which I regret doing, but they are helping me out. it is completely confidential, and if I need medication then I will deal with that later. I want to thank everyone again for all the help. it was hard and a little embarrassing honestly telling someone else my issues face-to-face which was probably why I was sortof dismissive, but I honestly want to change for the better now and want the help.
I wish all of you well.