Hi all,
I’m considering going to S.A.F.E sometime in the near future, but I’m wondering…what makes S.A.F.E. different/better than other treatment programs? I’ve been in treatment at a trauma program before, and it was helpful, but I still self-injure. I have taken a year off school to deal with my problems, and I truly want to and need to heal, but I just want to make sure that S.A.F.E. is the best choice. Has anyone had problems with insurance paying for the program? I don’t think my insurance will cover it. Any advice? I very much appreciate any suggestions anyone can give me. How do I know that this will work? I know it is really up to me and my determination, but I just cannot seem to stop self-injuring, no matter how desperately I want to at times. It is getting in the way of achieving my dreams. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Alex
Hi Alex-
I have been home from SAFE for a few weeks now-and I have to say the fight that it took for me to get there-was worth every second of it.
Ive been hospitalized seven times, in group home programs, outpatient programs, and they all were pointless in comparison to SAFE. SAFE saved my life. As far as insurance goes..SAFE walks you through all of that-they look into it for you-I was told that my insurance wouldnt cover anything because I am from NY and my ins. has no out of network benefits. but I fought hard to figure out any way that I could to get there-they will tell you the private pay rate for the program at which I laughed cause Im not made of money… but I wanted to appeal the denial but the only way I could get the denial is by flying to Texas and to be evaluated and have them call my insurance company. So that they could deny me, so that I could fly back home and appeal and one day hopefully go back. AMAZINGLY enough I flew to Texas.. went to the program, they eval’ed me and called my insurance company and they APPROVED SIX DAYS of treatment, and from there they approved five more and then two more. and then I wound up paying privately for five days. Even though I didnt get to stay for thirty days, I worked the program, I just knew that SAFE was the right thing for me.. and I fought tooth and nail to get there and to stay there.. and it was the BEST thing I have EVER done for myself-I never thought that a program could have such an impact on me as SAFE has. Everyone that I came into contact with was so caring and genuinely listened and gave amazing feedback. The program IS INTENSE and hard but its SO worth every tear that I shed while I was there. DONT give up fighting to get there… its totally worth it.
if you have any questions email me cassandrakirwan@yahoo.com
best of luck
Cassie