Hubby has been seeing the same PCP for a year now. He personally knows our LLMD. Due to the recent court case with Dr J in NC hubby's doc has decided that neither he or his partner will use the Lyme diagnosis for any patients in the future.
This doc does not even prescribe antibiotics. He is into alternative medicine -- colloidal silver, HBOT and even more experiemental things. And he is still worried about the insurance companies and medical boards.
To me this is just another indicator of how broken our health care system is.
Just curious, does your PCP use the Lyme diagnosis when coding your office visit?
Bea Seibert
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
Bea, good question! I don't know offhand myself? I never see the code; how do you know what they use?
Bea, we have quite a few lawyers on here, at least 6 that I'm aware of with 1 joining today.
Wonder if you could add more onto your subject line and get LAWYERS attention? !
The damage has sure been done by Jemsek's and Jones' health dept. hearings! Who suffers ... all of us chronic lyme patients. Bettyg Posted by serendipity (Member # 8474) on :
Bea,
My LLMD thinks lyme is involved in many or most chronic illnesses.
Although I have a positive lyme western blot, he has not used the lyme diagnisis in his records or for billing purposes for the reasons you mentioned. He also does not use long term antibiotics
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
I am certain my LLMD does not report Lyme. He takes the diagnosis you received from another doctor. He also makes a distinction between Lyme and Bartonella. Since my daughter only tested pos for bart, he doesn't have to report her as a lyme patient.
WHATEVER...as long as we get the treatment we need.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
You can see it on the superbill they print out at your visit and very often on orders for PT or labwork.
Bea, I don't know what my Primary uses; I'll check next time I go in. I think he might... though he doesn't treat me for Lyme.
Initially, I was diagnosed as demyelinating disease until every thing else was ruled out. Even in 1993 the LLMD didn't want to flag Lyme until they were sure.
Once I had a definative diagnosis all my LLMDs have all used it as well as any other codes necessary.
I am on medicare and they don't pay for much and certainly no meds so it may not be the same as with real insurance.
Posted by NP40 (Member # 6711) on :
Our doc used to report lyme cases to the state. He said they'd constantly come back with "Are you sure it's not CFS or fibro-myalgia ?" He finally gave up and quit reporting.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
quote:Originally posted by cave76: 5. I ask for fingerprints on everyone in the office. JUST KIDDING!
I can think of at least one instance where I wished I did do that! Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Betty,
Don't need a lawyer right now for this issue. Hubby's PCP will continue to treat him -- he is just not willing to use Lyme as a diagnosis code anymore. And yes, he is certain that hubby has Lyme.
Actually the doc told us he believes Lyme is a bioweapon -- I think he actually believes the book, "Lab 257". Don't think I have ever met another doc who really believes the U.S. military created Lyme disease.
Trueblue is correct about the diagnostic code for Lyme. This may not seem like a big deal unless a person is trying to get disability or Social Security -- then it becomes very important to know what the docs have actually diagnosed you with.
Hubby has already fought those battles, but we do have an insurance rating issue because in the past a doc incorrectly diagnosed hubby with congenital hemophilia -- still looking for a lawyer to get that mess straightened out.
Cave 76,
Very good suggestions. I think you must be even more meticulous with your record keeping than hubby and I are!!!
Bea Seibert
Posted by TNhayley (Member # 8249) on :
For the poll part ... count one doc for me. H
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