I'm glad to hear you got an appointment with an LLMD. A month wait isn't bad. I had to wait five months to see my current doctor!

It is unfortunately not uncommon for Lyme doctors to not take insurance. There are various reasons but I can't think of them all now (maybe someone else will come along with a more intact brain than I have today). But, $350 for a first visit really isn't bad. A first visit is usually an hour or so and my PCP, who recently stopped taking my insurance, charges about $100 for a ten to fifteen minute appointment!

Just because the office doesn't accept insurance directly doesn't mean that you'll have to end up paying the whole thing in the long run. You'll have to pay up front for the visit but you can submit a claim to your insurance company after the appointment and most likely get reimbursed some percentage of the cost. I do this and I get 70% reimbursed so I only end up having to pay 30% of the cost of each visit.

If you cannot manage to pay the $350 at the time of the visit I would call the office and ask if it's possible to set up a payment plan. Don't wait until the appointment and ask when you go there. And, if you can't make payments on it, see if there's any way you can get the money together. Credit cards? Family? Friends? It's your health and it's important.

I hope everything works out and the visit goes well!

--Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost
 

Sounds like your have your panties in an uproar.

I don't blame you at all. That IS a lot of money.

Maybe when you get feeling better you can help us change the situation so that ALL doctors will take Lyme patients, none of the current LLMD's will be over burdened with thousands of sick patients and in fear of being shut down and ALL insurances will pay the bill.

Till the time that happens... we are all stuck having to fight not only this nasty stinking disease.. but political garbage as well. Sorry..

Do you have out-of-network coverage?

Both LLMDs that my kids have gone to require payment at the time of the visit and are out-of-network. Both take credit cards.

I have out-of-network coverage, so I submit the bill to insurance. Our OON coverage is 70% of a reasonable cost. So, our insurance reimburses us for approximately 50% of the cost of the visit.

Good luck!

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Most LLMD's are not an insurance provider. they were removed from insurance provider lists a long time ago.

A month wait is not bad.

Some blood work requires that you are off antibiotics for 14 days prior. So don't forget to ask the doctors office when you call to check on a payment plan.

Also check with your insurance to see if you can get a waiver for your out of network expences.

Our llmd is out of state but the insurance has agreed to include him as part of our network. They agree because there were no doctors in our area qualified to treat us. We just have to have each appointment approved individually.

Best of luck as you figure out how to juggle this. I can definately relate to the financial strain!

SC