For the past few years I've been seeing Dr. C in NY, since he accepted my insurance. However, last month I was informed that he was no longer going to accept it; all patients would have to pay out of pocket. Since I live on disability, I can't afford it.
Does anyone know of a LLMD in NY that will accept Medicare? Or even in a bordering state that would accept NY Medicare? I live in the Albany area, but am willing to travel several hours to get there.
Thank you so much in advance.
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Welcome to Lymenet!
PM sent with some suggestions for other states. You will have to call the doctors' offices to ask if the information is current about insurance.
You need to be evaluated and treated by a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). Non LLMDs have no clue about this horrible disease or its complex treatment!
A LLMD is one who has treated Lyme disease and the co-infections which come with it for many years and has gotten patients well. A good one will follow Dr. B's Guidelines, the "gold standard" for Lyme treatment.
[ 04-19-2016, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: hopingandpraying ]
Posted by nicolenyc (Member # 43985) on :
I got the same kiss off letter from dr c, not even offering... 'in three months we will stop participating with your insurance' or 'here is the name of a physician you may wish to consider' or even 'here are three months of refills while you find a new llmd'. Nothing. Just - get out now!
He really prefers famous clients and now he's actively chasing that billionaire in the UK whose whole family has lyme.
I've been reading everything about and looking into all local area llmds and it seems statistically the ones who don't take insurance charge lots of money for treatment have a better success rate. The findings seem to point to if you have $$$ you get better and more effective care.
If you are disabled and poor you must look elsewhere, so there are more 'remedies' out there than stars in the sky from light machines to Chinese herbs, pacifications to make us feel better? Maybe. Success with alternative treatment? Many say yes.
We have no definitive parameters of success because the cloud of mystery and dogma works to maintain confusion and lack of clarity which keeps people in the dark and paying out.
As far as IV treatment or any proactive llmd care without cash - forget it.
The political difficulties and super secrecies seems to root back to money. Doctors might claim persecution from the insurance and medical industry but all the while they can (and do) charge a fortune. Yet it's the patients who suffer and get told 'its out of our hands'. I don't buy it anymore.
[ 04-23-2016, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: faithful777 ]
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Scroll down for financial help, etc., available from several sources.
The Lyme Test Access Program (Lyme-TAP) is a nationwide patient assistance program to provide assistance for initial Lyme-related lab tests to patients who demonstrate true financial need. I think coverage is up to 75%. View on www.lymetap.com