posted
Hi, I am a doctor P patient in CT. I would like to know if all of you are required to see him every month? That seems way out of control and very expensive. $275.00 a pop. Has anyone worked out something like every couple of months? His secretary is hot and cold; one day helpful, the next rude and I am not interested in parley with her. Please advise.
posted
Same situation here. Unfortunately, due to the scrutiny of LLMD's, that's his policy.
Posts: 184 | From CT | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Hi, i am going through the same thing right now and am very upset. I PMed you with some details. originally I posted it, but I was very upset at the time and I don't think it is right to post all of that information now that my head is clearer.
Does anybody have any input? Are many of the docs doing this now because they are under such scrutiny?
[ 21. August 2006, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: luvdogs ]
Posts: 589 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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As far as the LLMD scrutiny goes, I am not so sure that monthly required visits are a great idea. One of the first things non-LLMD's point to is the cost of LLMD visits, and say that they have "built a cottage industry" and are in it only for the money. This may fuel that.
On the other hand, he is a great guy. Smart, caring, and a walking encyclopedia of every Lyme study ever published.
This is a tough choice for us, his patients.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
Only had to see him monthly for awhile to make sure on right protacals and that I was following thru with probiotics etc. and to go over blood work (he makes sure blood values remain good. )
He is cautious, due to scrutiny, as well as making sure first and foremost to "do no harm".
After a few months went longer between appts.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I have been seeing him for years, and he has just now started this from what I can see. He has hinted at it and sometimes it is difficult to get refill, but just today it was outlined clearly for me. No more every 3 months. Every month and that's how it is for all his patients according to his receptionist.
I think its a new thing for him. He has always been very cautious, but things are tightening up even more it seems.
I am very disappointed bc he is an incredible doctor. I just can't afford this - energy, time and money-wise. It will make my health worse in the long run.
[ 22. August 2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: luvdogs ]
Posts: 589 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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"I think its a new thing for him. He has always been very cautious, but things are tightening up even more it seems.
I am very disappointed bc he is an incredible doctor. I just can't afford this - energy, time and money-wise. It will make my health worse in the long run." _____________
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Well, maybe I could have -- but not by much .
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
And what prices would you expect in an area where a 'tear down' house is worth half a mil just for the lot?
and I'm surprised you don't have to pay extra for the %$#7XX deer and ticks.
I'm glad I don't have to go to that area anymore....
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I have my first appointment with Dr. P next month. It will be a 2-hour ride each way (from RI) but I feel I have nowhere else to turn.
Please, if anyone has further information, provide us with updates.
I cannot manage a 4-hour round trip drive by myself at this time, so my husband is taking the day off to accompany me. This will not be cool once a month.
The $275 is managable for me, but I can see how it could be a hardship for many.
I am thinking that if I want to stay under his care, that I may have to hire a car service??!!??
Any ideas? TIA
Posts: 78 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents (it's all the brain cells i have left!)
I have been seeing Dr P for a little less than a year. I am not sure how his prices compare to those of other LLMDs but my guess is that it is probably in the ball park of others in this area.
He hasnt told me that he requires monthly visits but I do go for blood work once a month. There have been a few months where I have seen him once a month and there have been other periods of time where he just refilled the prescription over the phone.
I have not seen other LLMDs but my experience with Dr. P has been very good. He is not only intelligent and very knowledgeable, but he is also a good listener. I have an appt with him this week so I am sure I will learn about any new policies he has.
I am fortunate that my insurance covers like 60% of the cost of out of network doctors because I do think that $275/month is another big expense.
Thing is, this whole damn disease is not only hard physically and mentally, but it is also a very expensive disease. That said, I would give up all the money I've got if someone could just get me all better!
-David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Don't blame the doctors for requiring monthly visits. They see other docs getting raked over the coals, even losing their licenses, for things that are routine for doctors in other specialties, so they are covering their arses.
Unfortunately, our choice is to either see our docs more often than we would like, or risk not having access to them at all.
-------------------- Suzanne Shaps STAND UP FOR LYME Texas (www.standupforlyme.org) (Please email all correspondence related to protecting Texas LLMDs to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]) Posts: 977 | From Austin, TX, USA | Registered: May 2004
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I'm a patient of Dr. B. who is retiring. I made an appointment to Dr. P. in Oct. I need to know if he's really good because I also went to Dr. C. in N.Y. and I'm not sure what to do.
I just know I need a good doc.
Lymehead
-------------------- RI Posts: 440 | From New York | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Yes, he is top of the line. He is a brilliant and very nice. I really really liked him but I had to discontinue with him bc it is too hard to see him once a month (financially and physically). I am not sure what they say about Dr. C., but I would ask around.
PM me if you have more specific questions.
Posts: 589 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
Anyone know how long the wait is to get an appointment with DR. P?
Thanks Nancy
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
UP
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Perhaps you have noticed that the state of CT is trying to take out the only Lyme pediatrician currently practicing. Now do you understand why other doctors in that state would become more cautious?
People need to understand that lyme politics and the govt position on this disease will affect them personally. And then become activists.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
My niece was in to see Dr. P. this past Friday, and asked him, at my request, about the every month appointments. He told her that he does not require everyone to come every month, just those on certain medications. He also requires monthly visits when first starting out with him so he can gauge progress.
Hope this helps those who want to continue seeing him........
Nancy
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Is that monthly for everyone - including those who fly from out of state? (probably many of us). Yikes - that will be tough. Where is the best airport to fly in to?
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
Hi folks. I have seem several lyme literate docs, one in New York, three in Connecticut, including pediatric one, one in North Carolina (we relocated) and am now looking at seeing one in MO. I currently live in Alabama.
When I saw Dr. P in CT, I lived in Danbury, CT.
Dr. P is a wonderful human being. He knows everthing there is to know about lyme and conducts his own research. He could not possibly be kinder, or SAFER with his treatment protocol. I never had a doctor check for safety the way he does. He will not hurt you or let a medication hurt you.
You will not go wrong with Dr. P. If you have an emergency call, he will call you back to talk to you at home.
Very nice man, and knows his stuff. You are in good hands.
Mary
Posts: 1034 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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