bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
I'm curious how much people are paying for lyme treatment to their LL, outside of medications.
What does a visit to a lyme literate MD or ND cost?
Is there a standard, or is the range pretty wide?
Do they bill insurance or not?
How often do you schedule your visits?
Do visits include extra treatments such as IV's or do you just get consultation and blood workups?
What else do you wish your LL could or would provide.
Does the cost tend to correlate with the excellence of service or not?
(Such as a doctor who sees you for 11 minutes vs one who sits with you for two hours and personally returns phone calls.)
In your opinion, what qualities are most important in a good LLMD or LLMD?
Please don't mention doctor names or even initials here, although you might mention the area if you choose to.
I'm interested in feedback from both US and internationally, for comparison.
Answers may help people know what questions to ask when selecting a practitioner.
Thanks!
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Around here it is about $700-1,000 for the first hour-long visit, half that for subsequent half-hour visits. No insurance taken. In my opinion, this is beyond insane.
(Please, nobody list me all the reasons they 'have' to charge this much. I've heard them all before, and do not fully buy it.)
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
My LLMD charges 750.00 for the initial visit and 275.00-350.00 for the rest. He spent 3 hours with me on the initial visit and I definitely felt like I got my money's worth! He does not accept or file insurance but gives me the necessary, completed forms to send in for reimbursement.
I travel 5 hours one way to see my LLMD and usually we stay overnight in a hotel so those costs also have to be figured in as well.
The office staff is very helpful but can be slow sometimes in responding to emails or phone calls. My LLMD listens to his patients, takes time to answer all questions, and is a compassionate and caring person.
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Mine was $595 cash or check only for the first visit which was scheduled for 4 hrs but lasted 6 hrs.
Subsequent visits are $185 cash or check only which are sched for 1-1 1/2 hrs, but my second visit today lasted for 3 1/2 hrs. I will be scheduled every 4 weeks until stable, then less ofen.
I submit the receipts to my insurance co. but my policy does not cover office visits.
I am taking alot of supplements too besides the 3 antibiotics.
My policy also does not pay much of all the labwork that is required. One bill/receipt I submitted was for $475 and I got a check for $21 back!
Horrible for what I pay for health insurance monthly.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
I can easily imagine a three hour intake, with history and blood draws.
What do you do for a four to six hour appointment?
Are you sitting waiting for lab results? Is the doctor seeing several patients at once during this time?
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
bejoy, are you preparing a survey results for these questions?
or do you just plan on having folks leave their comments here and NO SUMMARY.
1 short comment; during my 3 hrs 1st appt..there was NO IDLE TIME; paperwork galore, exam and Q/A, plus taking of all my endless blood samples, and signing forms for all these tests using my credit card!
example, tincup did this survey and results were:
STATISTICS ... LYME POLL by Tincup posted March 8, 2005, Lyme Disease Survey Responses, FINAL RESULTS shown below! February 27, 2005 - March 9, 2005
1. How many doctors did you have to see before being properly diagnosed? 112 responses Average number of doctors consulted before being diagnosed - 14 Answers ranged from 1- 120 different doctors
2. Have you had problems getting insurance to pay for doctors or treatment? 87 responses? Yes- 63 No- 24
3. Have you lost income because of Lyme disease? 106 responses Yes- 99 No- 7
4. How much does it cost you (average) per month for Lyme related expenses? 61 responded Average cost per month per patient- $4,472.49 Low- $500.00 High- $21,492.00
5. How many different medications do you take per day? 77 responded Average - 14 different medications per day Low- 3 High- 25
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posted
What does a visit to a lyme literate MD or ND cost?
* My first one was $350 initial, $125 per half hour thereafter. My new one takes my insurance: $5.00 for up to an hour.My daughter's first was $450 for initial, $210 for half hour. She is now seeing my new one, so $5.00
Is there a standard, or is the range pretty wide?
Do they bill insurance or not?
*Old ones, no. New one yes
How often do you schedule your visits?
* All were dependent on how things were going-2 weeks to 2 months.
Does the cost tend to correlate with the excellence of se
*ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Kris
Posts: 520 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Hi bejoy,
No, I wasn't sitting waiting for anything for that 6 hrs. I was filling out papers, listening to teaching that the nurse does about diet, exercise, etc.
Then she did vital signs, wt, ht. The Dr was with another patient when I was with the nurse.
She did an EKG and the Dr interpreted it. The entire rest of the time I spent talking with the Dr and he examined me. He did not rush at all.
He then drew my blood. He gave me copies of my EKG and some studies I requested showing that LD is not cured with short term antibiotics.
We discussed many things. I have a post here called:
"My wonderful LLMD's advice/what to do/take & other good info from my appt"
I brought it to the top of the booard just now so you could read it.
In that post I discuss what my appt was like.
I really like my LLMD and his wife, the nurse. They are genuinely caring. They both have LD along with their 2 sons, although they are all doing well now.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
My family has two LLMDs - initial appt for both was $750, about 2-3 hours each. Follow up visits range from $150 for a 30 min phone appt to $295 for an office visit.
Posts: 263 | From Capital Region, NY, USA | Registered: Jun 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Had my first LLMD visit today.
He charged me $160 for the office visit, and $40 for a probiotic.
Now, I have to go out and get the blood work done, so I don't know what that will run.
At the moment, we're without insurance coverage, so I'm sweating that a bit, hoping we;ll have coverage within the next week or so so I can get that done.
I'll see him again in 6 weeks for a follow up.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
where's bejoy? i left a question or 2 for you please to answer... thanks
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posted
Thank goodness one of mine takes insurance! They do alternative care only, no abx.
It makes a world of difference, taking insurance, and I wish more LLMDs could.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Who are you all seeing? You can PM if you wish. Costs of appointments are a factor I would say most other patients would find valuable when selecting from the Lyme list. Let me know.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Thanks for some of the reports. Keep them coming. So far it's clear that most of the physicians are very compassionate and responsive. This is important!
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
Having a knowledgeable physician who actually knows what he is doing. -PRICELE$$
*The doctor is one of the most prominent LLMDs in the country.
Posts: 371 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2008
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Betty, yes, I will do a summary. I'm collecting this information mainly to help people know how to find a good practitioner, and what to expect.
I get so many questions and requests for referrals from friends and family around the country who know I have struggled with lyme.
They are shocked when they are new to lyme and don't understand why the LL charges so much.
I want to have a base line of what is "usual" and what people get for their money.
Thanks for everybody's input. Please keep it coming.
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Bejoy, e-mail me. I'm going to send you my latest documentation. I've been told you're a trustworthy source. This should help you greatly in handling other patients requests for information.
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
re: Having a knowledgeable physician who actually knows what he is doing. -PRICELE$$
It's not always about how much you pay that makes your physician "priceless"...
I've heard of many who charge high rates but they are not necessarily better than others who charge less. I have seen that this is the case, personally.
Some people have the impression that if they just keep throwing money at this illness - it will go away. It doesn't always work like that.
Thanks for the info guys! I was surprised that the average was around $4000 a month! How long can one maintain this?
I haven't been spending anywhere near that. I've been ill for over 12 years. How could most people afford that?
What are the rest of us supposed to do after the money runs out?
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Sparkle7, great comments and questions. I too can't fathom how so many here can shell out so many $$$ monthly! I had a good job and I can't do that. I know health is priceless, but these LLMDs aren't offering money-back guarantees. It's frightening.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Ultimately, we need healthcare coverage. Many folks don't have huge sums to spend, or their funds become depleted. We are going to need to turn the insurance coverage thing around.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I suspect ugagal and I see the same doctor, based on the $750 consult and followup fees. However, I am also charged a $2000/month oversight fee (for monitoring and ordering IV meds). I do get one office visit and an infusion for "free" with that. It was sort of sneaky, as no one told me about until after my first appt and $5000 worth of labs. Then the office manager called with that little surprise! Regardless, my doctor is THE MAN and I will pay whatever, though I'll probably have to resort to a life of crime to pay the bills
-------------------- IV graduate. As of 1/10, oral Omnicef, Minocyline, Mycobutin, Levaquin, and Flagyl. Lyrica and a bunch of supplements. Posts: 123 | From Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2009
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
$100 per visit--and insurance covers it. A good doc as far as I can tell. PM me for info.
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Being "Priceless" has NOTHING to do with the actual price- it has to do with the quality of the physician and the knowledge he has of this disease.
Obviously throwing money at this disease does not work-- if it did, my daughter would no longer be suffering, she would be cured!
We have been to other LLMDs, many who were on our insurance plan, yet they exhausted their resources w/ my daughter and said that her case was "too complex".
Our current doctor has helped my daughter in so many ways. So, yes, he is priceless. My daughters health is priceless.
I'm sure you regard certain doctors who have helped you priceless to your care.
Posts: 371 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Pediatric lyme specialist: 1st visit $875 plus $600 in labs, no insurance taken but was able to submit out of network.
Lyme Neurologist: 1st visit $750 no insurance taken but submitted out of network, blood work covered.
Naturopath: 1st visit $200 insurance taken and covered, supplements almost $100 not covered.
Lyme specialist follow ups run about $250 a visit, again submitted as out of network.
Personally, it is a lot of money, but I think they are worth it -- very knowledgable and wonderful staff.
So far all medications and IVs have been covered by insurance (only paid small deductible) -- we are extremely fortunate and we do count our blessings everyday.
Posts: 51 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I haven't seen any doctor I would consider priceless, yet. I guess it's been my own research that is what I would consider as priceless...
I've been researching this for over 12 years.
I think it would be difficult for me to have insurance cover my case since I have had no lab tests that definitively say that I have Lyme. I had a clinical diagnosis.
I actually calculated what the costs of having insurance would have been vs. what I paid out of pocket while having no insurance & I actually saved money by not having insurance.
I don't think the insurance I had would have covered most of my medical costs since I went to some alternative medical offices. Some doctors also charge differently if you tell them you don't have insurance.
I was also able to barter for some services by offering graphic design in exchange for medical services.
I had 6 or 8 sessions of physical therapy when I was diagnosed as having fibromyalgia & my insurance informed me that I had reached my lifetime limit of physical therapy. The therapy was a joke in any case...
I was on Oxford which was supposed to be a "good" plan. I didn't have dental, either. It took the "specialist" 7 minutes to diagnose I had fibromyalgia & that was that. (This is when I had insurance.) I took me 9 years to get a Lyme diagnosis...
My health insurance was over $300 a month & this was back in 2000. I wish I didn't have to go through this big run around with all of this but I seemed to be one of those people who fall through the cracks.
It's been really devastating. Everything I've worked for has eroded away due to being ill.
I stuck it out for as long as I could doing the drug & supplement route but I couldn't afford it. I didn't feel the the drugs were working for me so I started trusting more alternative methods like the Cowden protocol, etc.
It's difficult when you have had Lyme for so many years, undiagnosed. It makes it harder to trust the standard route of abx. I didn't feel I was getting any improvement that way.
I hope this isn't hijacking your thread, bejoy. Let's just say that over the years I've spent 10s of thousands. I've been to many doctors.
I don't know if I would be able to get insurance now at a reasonable cost - since I probably would have a "pre-existing" condition.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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