PM me if you want to know who to stay away from
Posted by piper (Member # 25946) on :
PM sent
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Condolences.
And a mean face for your (previous?) LLMD.
And some inappropriate language.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I had that happen to me - saw a famous LLMD and had a bad experience - and when I complained, they gave me my money back. I was impressed.
Posted by migs (Member # 16496) on :
I don't think we should be impressed by doctors that prey on our desperation.
Let's face it. Some LLMDs are heroes and others thieves. Some help us because they are strong and refuse to turn the other way but others are predators. Doctors can be lowlifes just like anyone else. If your LLMDs are asking you to spend thousands of dollars on herbal crap, get a new LLMD or order your meds online.
Posted by migs (Member # 16496) on :
I mean how much is Dr K in Wa?
[ 08-19-2011, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I believe they charge a lot more than other doctors because they are at high risk of being dragged into court and having their license revoked. Look at Dr. J. He is a wonderful caring ped and he has been battling the government for a very long time. I doubt there is insurance to cover these risks.
But I have never been happy with the LLMD/LLND s I have seen, so I know what you are talking about. I have made an appointment with my fourth one and I am extremely apprehensive.
The last one I saw is famous. I traveled thousands of miles, stayed two nights in a hotel in the inner city . . . just the stress of the trip made me sicker, not to mention the expense.
Then he gave me Mepron/zithro and nothing else. Told me not to take any supplements, not even artemesinin. At the 3 months phone consult I asked where he was going and he would not tell me anything -said just continue with what he previously gave me.
So at 5 months, I cancelled the appointment, went to the GP and began my own treatment AGAIN. The truth is I get better treatment advice on this forum! I really do. I learned everything here.
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Can I ask how are you getting the prescriptions? I would love to self treat. I have absolutely no faith in any of these docs. Maybe they do deserve to be in court, for ripping people off.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
TF and lou4656 on why LLMD's charge more and don't take insurance:
QUOTE:
Yes, it is typical that a lyme doctor does not accept insurance. The cost of the first visit is often extremely high.
You pay for the visits and the Igenex blood tests at the time of the visit. You can put the charges on a credit card. That's what everyone does.
You can then submit a claim to your insurance company and see how much they reimburse you. Generally, it is not much.
Why the lyme doctors do this is most likely because they have to in order to make any money. I never was in business as a doctor, but it makes sense that they can't make any money, and in fact will lose money, if they take insurance and treat lyme patients.
You see, the first visit with a lyme patient often takes 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours of the doctor's time. Yet, insurance will reimburse him very little for this.
Lyme is complex to diagnose and treat, but the insurance companies don't treat a lyme patient as needing any more time than the patient that comes in with the flu.
That's why insurance taking doctors can only spend 10 minutes with each patient. Did you ever notice that that is, on average, how much time they give you? If they want to make money and not lose money, that is what it comes down to.
Medicare reimbursement is even lower than regular insurance reimbursement, so many doctors are no longer taking Medicare patients. They have to in self defense. This is eventually going to become a crisis in this country. Many doctors (not lyme doctors) limit the number of Medicare patients they will accept into their practice since they lose money on every one they take.
The first visit with a lyme doctor will probably have you in the office for about 3 hours. That includes the interview with the doctor and the doctor's staff's time--the blood draw for Igenex, and the paperwork before the interview.
The doctor has to factor the cost of his staff's time into the charge for your first visit and all other visits.
Another consideration from the doctor's point of view is likely the insurance company oversight of his treatment.
My second lyme doctor took insurance. He said to me at my first appointment, "I'd put you on IV but the insurance company would give me a fit." Therefore, he put me on oral medications. I didn't understand what he was talking about at the time. But, now, looking back, I do.
So, that tells you that if the doctor takes insurance, he is not free to treat the lyme patient the way he wants to treat. If he doesn't take insurance, then he can treat the patient in the best way he knows and not worry about whether or not the insurance company agrees to pay for it.
In general, insurance companies will fight the lyme doctor if he tries to put the patient on IV for more than 30 days. The patient who needs IV needs it for much longer than 30 days. 30 days does nothing.
Also, some insurance companies fight the doctors on the high doses of antibiotics that the lyme patient needs, and the combos of antibiotics that the lyme patients need. The lyme doctor can raise red flags in the insurance company office for these meds and can get hauled up on charges with his state medical board and ultimately lose his license to practice medicine.
That has happened to many lyme doctors. So, the best way for them to operate is to make you the person who deals with the insurance and pays what the insurance refuses to pay. Now, that way, you can get good lyme treatment.
In my experience, my first two lyme doctors took insurance and they could not get me well. I spent 2 years, which I now consider wasted, with these doctors. Then, I switched to a lyme doc who did not take insurance and got cured in one year.
In general, not even talking lyme doctors now, the best doctors don't take insurance. We have learned this in my family. So, my husband's internist does not take insurance, neither does his psychiatrist (hardly any of them take insurance), and neither does my endocrinologist.
I heard a doctor say on the radio about 10-15 years ago that he now had to see twice as many patients as he used to in order to make the same money. That is how insurance controls the health care in this country.
Not talking lyme doctors now--when you go to a non-insurance taking doctor, he generally will spend at least 1/2 hour with you if not more at each visit. He can talk leisurely with you, listen to you without interrupting, and teach you things because he doesn't have to watch the clock so that he doesn't lose money on you.
My husband's internist (doesn't treat lyme) told us that his brother (also a doctor) has a rule in his practice that if the patient takes more than 3 medications, he cannot be his patient.
That is how he limits his practice to the easy to treat patients who will not take much of his time. All this is to keep the doctor from losing money. They lose money if they spend more than 10 minutes with you. They have done the math, figuring all of their overhead and staff salaries, and that is what it comes down to every time.
My husband's doctor (doesn't take insurance, doesn't treat lyme) told us that he is losing money treating the old fashioned way--spending time with the patient, as much as the patient needs, and educating the patient. So,he has to try a new business model to make a decent living. He refuses to give up practicing medicine the way he believes is right.
He is moving to a membership only practice. To see him, you pay a high membership fee up front at the beginning of the year.
So, just know that there is a major upheaval going on in the world of doctors in private practice. They are really scrambling to make a living, having to run faster and faster on the treadmill set up by insurance company reimbursement schedules, just to make a decent living. That is why many Americans are no longer going into medicine and many, many people from foreign countries are filling the doctor vacancies in the U.S.
About 10 years ago I talked with a man who quit his medical practice due to insurance companies dictating to him how he would treat patients. So, this is being told to me by many, many doctors over at least the last 10 years.
So, get to a good lyme doctor and pay for his expertise. Don't let insurance concerns get in the way of you getting your health back. These doctors are legit. No rip off. Good for you for wanting to understand what is going on.
--------
Posts: 3682 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007 | IP: Logged | lou4656 Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts) Member # 10300
Icon 1 posted 23 February, 2011 12:03 PM Profile for lou4656 Send New Private Message Edit/Delete Post Reply With Quote Here is a post from Tracy in 2008:
"Why LLMD's would not accept insurance, nor be a prefered medical provider for any insurer.
#1. The Dr's must sign a contract with the insurer that says they will "Treat within the Standard of Care", and are basically under the watch of the insurance company.
If not they can be immediately removed from the panel and subjet to PEER/other Dr review.
2. This opens their charts/records to routine audits by insurance companies & other Dr's that work for the insurance company.
3. This subjects ALL the physicians billings to review.
4. Most complaints to State Medical Boards- DO come from insurance companies-- as they see all the claims, and costs. Especially those that vary from the norm.
i.e. Going to 15-20 doctors on a Dx hunt is fine, but get Dx with Lyme and your benefits can be limited.
5. Reimbursement for a standard office visit follow-up comtemplates appx 5-7 minutes of time. Most LLMD take 5-10 times longer per visit.
6. Insurance companies push a lot of extra paper work on physicians to justify Dx and treatment-- especially for any type of chronic care.
Last- the insurance company will only pay what they pay for reasonable and customary care- which is about $90-170 per visit."
Basically, LLMDs treat outside of the recommended guidelines, which makes them a target from medical review boards. And, LLMDs spend from 1-2 hours with their patients for the first appointment, and will get paid by the insurance companies $100-200 per visit.
Most lyme patients do whatever they can to pay for doctor visits. I put thousands on credit cards that I am still paying on two years later. Some people have even sold their homes to pay for treatment. But for me it was worth every penny, because I am healthy today.
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
"Cash only" doctors are all fine and dandy, but we cannot afford them, period. We don't have credit cards and we aren't even making our monthly bills.
If this is our only chance of getting well I might as well give up any and all hope.
Guess I'll be making "kool-aid" for dinner...
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Ugh this is the most depressing situation ever. Sorry for posting a downer like this.
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
Sometimes reality IS a downer....No need to apologize!
Posted by Elaine G (Member # 20735) on :
Good post, Lymetoo.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
My PCP is considering going into the private physican business too. His patients were asked to complete a short phone survey about 3 mths ago. I said YES and gave them the number (option of 3) that I would pay per year to keep this Internal medical doctor.
I will pay a upfront, forget primary insurance and Medicare crap to continue seeing this doctor. Insurance companies are not doctors or medical providers.
But these insurance companies have their noses stuck so far into the physican and patient business that they have hang true medical tx out to dry.
I need major medical coverage if I would need surgery or have cancer or open heart surgery. But I don't need medical private or gov insurance in my primary care.
I can't blame good doctors for dropping the system. The system sucks and is only going to get worse with what's coming.
Of course I feel fortunate to have this doctor. He was lyme literate enough to call it possible Lyme disease from day 10 of illness. He switched to Lyme Disease dx as my primary and everything else is secondary to this chronic illness about 10 yrs ago.
I just happen to be one of those patients that hasn't found the "cure" from PCP early and even a LLMD added 3yrs into it.
When they(someone with a brain) truly understand this illness, it's DNA and our DNA, will many others have a chance at a "cure". I believe that day will come.
As many will tell you.....health and well being is PRICELESS. Look at it this way, insurance and Big Pharma and the higher powers have all decided how they are going to treat and pay for cancer.
Not much change there in 60 yrs and hundreds of thousands of people are still dying each year from cancer. Look at the money being thrown at research and cure of the big C. I certaintly don't trust the system to "cure" me if I get the big C. I think many insurance companies pay 100% for cancer tx?
Do you think the big C is a money making big dollar business? No doubt!
Pam
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
quote:Originally posted by migs: I don't think we should be impressed by doctors that prey on our desperation.
I was not impressed with the doctor, I was impressed that he was willing to return my money when I complained.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Tough one... I can see it from both sides though. As someone mentioned Lyme is a complicated disease often takes a long time to diagnose and then treat and even then not all achieved the desired outcome. And b/c of this by the time a Lyme patient arrived at their LLMD's office they have drained their life's savings, lost their jobs, homes, etc.. so how do you get blood from stone?
But on the other side the LLMDs still have to make money somehow, they got bills to pay too. And if they accept insurance they would not be able to stay in business long. 2 years ago my PCP sent us a letter (he's a family friend) explaining why he could no longer accept our health insurance. The way he broke it down... basically he would be $17 in the red each time he saw us!
So I don't think we can put the blame entirely on the LLMDs. It's our healthcare system that is completely messed up! Don't get me started on that or I'll give myself high blood pressure!
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
I love my LLMD. I finally feel like I am going to get my life back as I've had glimpses of almost perfect health.
If one can't afford it, then I agree, this forum is the best place to teach yourself. I have learned much from this forum in order to determine whether my LLMD was actually treating me correctly or not.
My primary doctor is good too, he just wasn't an LLMD.
Whether it's a primary, LLMD or any doctor, we must insist we get the most for our money and our time. And, yes, I know this isn't easy when we are sick.
Posted by nellybean (Member # 26774) on :
I am so so thankful for my LLMD. I feel blessed with the doctor I have. I pray everyone who needs a good LLMD, gets one.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by nellybean:
I am so so thankful for my LLMD. I feel blessed with the doctor I have. I pray everyone who needs a good LLMD, gets one.
- Amen to that!! Same here.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i think ppl have to be really careful at self-txing from info here
many who post here-myself included-are foggy and sick with lyme. memories are bad and sometimes judgement is impaired.
i think it is really important to find an llmd you trust and stick with them long enough for them to make a difference
if you cant afford an llmd then maybe a non-lyme advocate can research for you
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
quote:Originally posted by lpkayak: i think ppl have to be really careful at self-txing from info here
many who post here-myself included-are foggy and sick with lyme. memories are bad and sometimes judgement is impaired.
Isn't that the truth!! I get nervous when people self-treat too!!
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
In many countries there is not even one LLMD. What else can you do than self treat?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
lala...i said they have to be careful. i have been dealing with lyme over 30 yrs and when i started even the llmds didnt know what was going on-but they knew something was and they did their best to help us
we had to do a lot on our own too
we had to cooperate with the doc...think scientifically...be aware of variables...it is/was very hard and complicated
it still is...but today many llmds have a plan(some available to the public)
and there are books written on protocols
so yes...it is more possible to help yourself.
but what i say stands. often newbies get better with a tx and are sure they know the answer. they havent been around as long as some of us who got better...and then got worse again.
they havent seen so many "cures" come down the pike just to be proven not a cure soon after.
there still is no for sure test no for sure cure and that is why an llmd with lots of experience is your best bet
if you have to self tx then you have to. but you really have to be careful because so much is not known
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i feel like i hijacked this thread . i didnt mean to. maybe we should start another.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I want to clarify that I do not get my own prescriptions. My GP gives them to me. He is not connected to any insurance companies. Everyone pays cash and then submits their claim on their own. As my deductable is 10K I have no claims. He does not have to answer to anyone or fear scrutiny.
This physician is a medical marijuana prescriber. I have no interest in marijuana although he has asked me several times. He knows nothing about lyme other than what I have told him on my visits. He believes I am a rarity. I wonder if half his marijuana patients are actually sick with lyme.
But thank God he is available and I found him. Otherwise I would be ordering drugs from the other side of the world. This is because the nearest LLMD is over 500 miles away making treatment that much harder, more stressful and expensive. Traveling like that when I am sick, just makes me sicker. I had a complete collapse last time.
I see the GP this week and will ask for LDN. More than likely he will try to give me pot instead as the the mechanism for boosting the immune system is the same - endorphins.
We are in a sick world and survival is difficult. We do what we need to do.
Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on :
I have an LLMD who does ART. He accepts insurance.
Posted by migs (Member # 16496) on :
Many people keep their lives together by self-treating.
I see the point being made but if we continually see discussions about mold, teasel root, and Marshall Protocol, then surely it is a complete free for all here.
What is more helpful?
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I've had alot of advice from MDs that has been purely "experimental". None of them know exactly what to do to "cure" us. We are not suffering from a "straightforward" illness.
What happens when you can't work, can't get disability, & can't pay for insurance? We all are different & have different manifestations of this complex illness. Sometimes we have to experiment & self-treat.
If they prohibit our access to herbs & supplements - we will really be in trouble.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you listen, professionals or not, in the case of lyme, you are being a laboratory rat anyway.
Not following your gut but following what others (professionals or not) think is good for you, is the worst in my opinion.
It makes you lose control on what to do, which decisions to make in your every day life.
You need to decide everything, from food, life stlye, what to buy, who to listen, what to take, which brand, how much to sleep, how to clean your environment of EMRs, of toxins, mold, which products to use in your washing, bath, make up etc.
You got to feel you have some control in order to feel you can do a step up in your health. This is my experience, at least.
No single person on earth can do these daily, hourly choices in your life. Only you. If you start to lose contact with your own gut feelings because of 'noise' from outside, you lose the lyme war, in my opinion.
I don't have lyme for more than 2 years. I always followed my gut and that's where I am. I also got professional wonderful help in the beginning of my lyme journey, to whom I'm deeply grateful.
But I tell you one thing: the same professinals that helped me out of lyme, once they are confronted with the danger of losing their license or helping a patient, they may chose their licenses and abandon you.
It happened with both practioners. They dropped my daughter when I most needed them (with FSME in the brain) because they must send the patient to hospitals.
I would NEVER send my daughter to a normal hospital with a life threatning infection. they will not even allow me to give her Vit D or Vit C. I will never send her there for treating a tick born infection, after all they have done (they did nothing to help me out of lyme).
So what? If I had been the passive patient, never self treating, she could be today dead, paralised, with some permanent damage. The years of self treatment left me with the tools, or courage to treat her all by myself at home.
After that event, I'm even more advocate of self treating first, then getting help if necessary.
Of course, one's brain has to be functioning at a certain level. B
ut no one can tell me that letting any other person treat me despite my feelings of their path being wrong, is the best for me and my family.
I heard them about vaccinations, about amalgams in my mouth, about absence of cavitations in my jaws, about not having lyme disease, not having babesiosis etc. All from medical professionals that I trusted once.
Not anymore. I go to get help, when I can't find out the solution myself.
If you see the amount of people that die EVERY HOUR from drug PRESCRIBED medicines, you will think twice about letting yourself be guided by medical professionals.
Of course, in the beginning, we all need help. But the more you learn, the more you self treat, the best control in your health and life you get. My opinion.
In case you have no money, no insurance, what to do? You self treat, in the best way you can.
In case no one wants to treat you? Like my doctors didn't, when my daughter got sick? I treated her. In case they deny your diagnosis? You self treat!
Some people give up and suicide. Many. I would self treat.
You will make mistakes, certainly. But don't think your doctors won't. Their mistakes are done usually with drugs that really can and DO kill. Your mistakes will be done with herbs and supplements, far less dangerous.
Know that the life expectancy for medical professionals in the USA is about 1 year less than the normal population. Guess what? They follow their own advice!
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
The big Pharma is trying (and succeeding) to take herbs and supplements off the market, together with alternative treatments in the whole Western hemisphere.
What is MOST of the medical profession doing against that? NOTHING. They are quiet.
The more preventative care there is, the less patients doctors will have. The less alternative treatments people have, the more patients doctors will have.
That alone tells a lot, doesn't it?
Posted by smurfette (Member # 33464) on :
Brussels.. Your post scared me!
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
If you don't like the medical situation we are in, look at who caused it. And it isn't our doctors.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I actually like my LLMD. SHe is caring and smart. She isn't the most experienced with lyme and I often come in requesting to try things that I learned about on here or from others (Example..the Labcorp/Focus test for WA1/Duncani..or my 6 pills of Malarone.)
I do worry she isn't experienced enough to get me to 100% (I'm almost there most days..but still have some nagging things.)
I know who my backup will be..the famous Dr. H. But I worry he won't be accepting new patients by the time I switch to him. (I'm giving myself until next spring).
Posted by Terminator (Member # 27328) on :
migs - whats wrong with talking about molds? im pretty sure this is a serious issue for many of us.
lymeboy - just get a doctor somewhere to get you a port. then you're on your way to self-treating a la burrascano
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
If you feel pressured to buy them there... then there's a problem.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Lou, what caused the medical situation we are in?
Not the doctors? Not the medical schools? Not the pharma business?
Why are ALMOST ALL of them quiet about the fact that most supplements and herbs will be taken off our access??
These are the ONLY things left that we can do by ourselves for PREVENTING to be sick. We are losing that and our wonderful medical professionals are saying nothing in our favor.
Which medical organization is going against that trend?
Some doctors are good, and are not happy with that. My own lyme doctor isn't, all the naturopaths I know are terribly worried.
But the majority of the conventional medical professionals just say nothing.
Why is the conventional medical profession never focusing on prevention, and only prescribing drugs to alleviate symptoms? Drugs that rarely if EVER cure any chronic condition???
That they have no clue where are chronic diseases coming from, like a tsunami on them and us...
What are the causes? They say, unknown. Meaning, no real treatment possible.
Would you give your child with a tick born life threatening infection to be treated by normal hospitals?
When she was sick with a huge knee due to lyme arthritis, I asked if they could give her Vit C. They didn't want.
Would I give her to these hospitals to treat a viral disease so bad as FSME?
No way!!
Do I blame all doctors? Nope.
But I won't give my daughter to a normal hospital, where NO ONE believe in nutrition, toxins, heavy metals, supplements or herbs, not even chronic lyme. What treatment should I expect?
Are they really innocent, most of the medical professionals ? Do you REALLY think so?
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
There is a belief in America that only professionals know what they are doing.
Well, see what banksters did to your country and to at least half of the planet? They are REALLY professionals.
Would you EVER trust a bankster again?
I remember a doctor from a university hospital in Belgium telling me the following: if you continue treating yourself with herbs that can be dangerous, no one will ever want to treat you!
He REALLY said that!
As though drugs are not dangerous.
In the USA, it seems doctors are the 3rd cause of death. Take a look at this article:
Deaths caused by the medical system comes after cancer and cardiac diaseses! Yes, number 3!
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
America's Healthcare System is the Third Leading Cause of Death
Barbara Starfield, M.D. (2000)
Summary by Kah Ying Choo
This Journal of the American Medical Association article illuminates the failure of the U.S. medical system in providing decent medical care for Americans.
In spite of the rising health care costs that provide the illusion of improving health care, the American people do not enjoy good health, compared with their counterparts in the industrialized nations.
Among thirteen countries including Japan, Sweden, France and Canada, the U.S. was ranked 12th, based on the measurement of 16 health indicators such as life expectancy, low-birth-weight averages and infant mortality.
In another comparison reported by the World Health Organization that used a different set of health indicators, the U.S. also fared poorly with a ranking of 15 among 25 industrialized nations.
Although many people attribute poor health to the bad habits of the American public, Starfield (2000) points out that the Americans do not lead an unhealthy lifestyle compared to their counterparts.
For example, only 28 percent of the male population in the U.S. smoked, thus making it the third best nation in the category of smoking among the 13 industrialized nations.
The U.S. population also achieved a high ranking (5th best) for alcohol consumption. In the category of men aged 50 to 70 years, the U.S. had the third lowest mean cholesterol concentrations among 13 industrialized nations.
Therefore, the perception that the American public�s poor health is a result of their negative health habits is false.
Even more significantly, the medical system has played a large role in undermining the health of Americans. According to several research studies in the last decade, a total of 225,000 Americans per year have died as a result of their medical treatments:
� 12,000 deaths per year due to unnecessary surgery
� 7000 deaths per year due to medication errors in hospitals
� 20,000 deaths per year due to other errors in hospitals
� 80,000 deaths per year due to infections in hospitals
� 106,000 deaths per year due to negative effects of drugs
Thus, America's healthcare-system-induced deaths are the third leading cause of the death in the U.S., after heart disease and cancer.
One of the key problems of the U.S. health system is that as many as 40 million people in the U.S. do not have access to healthcare.
The social and economic inequalities that are an integral part of American society are mirrored in the inequality of access to the health care system. Essentially, families of low socioeconomic status are cut off from receiving a decent level of health care.
By citing these statistics, Starfield (2000) highlights the need to examine the type of health care provided to the U.S. population. The traditional medical paradigm that emphasizes the use of prescription medicine and medical treatment has not only failed to improve the health of Americans, but also led to the decline in the overall well-being of Americans.
Starfield�s (2000) comparison of the medical systems of Japan and the U.S. captures the fundamental differences in the treatment approach. Unlike the U.S., Japan has the healthiest population among the industrialized nations.
Instead of relying on sophisticated technology and professional personnel for medical treatment as in the U.S., Japan uses its technology solely for diagnostic purposes. Furthermore, in Japan, family members, rather than hospital staff, are involved in caring for the patients.
The success of the Japanese medical system testifies to the dire need for Americans to alter their philosophical approach towards health and treatment.
In the blind reliance on drugs, surgery, technology and medical establishments, the American medical system has inflicted more harm than good on the U.S. population. Starfield�s (2000) article is invaluable in unveiling the catastrophic effects of the medical treatments provided to the American people.
In order to improve the medical system, American policymakers and the medical establishment need to adopt a comprehensive approach and critically examine the failure of the richest country in the world to provide decent health care for its people.
[ 09-17-2011, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Brussels ]
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
40 million people without access to health care in the USA.
Now they want to take your herbs and supplements away!
What are these 40 million people going to do?
Posted by JJ29 (Member # 5288) on :
Lymeboy, your mailbox is full.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i went to one doctor in fort worth. boy, really bad news. never went back.
Posted by JJ29 (Member # 5288) on :
Lymeboy, your mailbox is full.
Posted by hammond (Member # 32303) on :
Lymetoo-
While I don't always agree with your posts, your "why LLMD's charge more and don't take insurance" post should be required reading for new Lyme patients.
The specifics (time, insurance, office overhead) of operating a successful practice are crucial for people to understand the deeper levels of problems in our health care system. The best body worker I have ever had work on me (I 'm a carpenter and often have spinal/ muscle problems) does not take insurance. It is a dark reality but should be discussed more. My wife only accepts specific ins. (she is a healthcare provider.) Great post and awesome thread! To the top!
Posted by RZR (Member # 20953) on :
Anyone know who lymeboys's LLMD is?
Please PM me.
I want to make sure I don't see -12him/her, as I have wasted 2-1/2 years of my life and thousands of $$$$ already.
Thanks!
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
I was in such a bad place when I started this thread. I sometimes cannot believe the places my mind gets into when this thing gets hold of me. It's terribly frightening.
I still stand by my assertion that the doc that I was seeing is no good, and he could not possibly be getting folks well.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[rant]](graemlins/rant.gif)