posted
OK - I am new here... I have been reading a ton and have the typical story - my husband misdiagnosed for 4 years and very ill. Finally found an LLMD in NY who was $1080, IGenex is $810, Urine test are $200, prescriptions are $180, supplements are $450 and that's just to start...
Now my bank account is in the negative, had to use my mom's credit card for Igenex.
I can recover from this financially (hopefully) by submitting to my insurance for out of network claims, but I live paycheck to paycheck.
My question is I know there must be alot of people out there that would not have the means to fork out this kind of money.
I know this was a rather expensive LLMD, but it was our 4th and I had no choice but to go to the BEST.
So.... in that case what happens when "our" people need help to pay for treatment??
P.S. I have a very LONG story, but a year ago my husband was on 3 months of DOXY IV which was covered by our insurance by some leap of faith because as I understand it normally would not be. Those 3 months cost around $12,000. Then we ran into major complications and then went to the "3rd LLMD" who told us you DO NOT have Lyme, then it just goes on and on from there.
I am asking because I am baffled, speechless, dumbfounded by this disease.. are there any other words?? yes many more....
[ 04-30-2010, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: sandyk ]
Posts: 159 | From Toms River, NJ | Registered: Nov 2008
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
As one lyme doctor said, "Lyme is a rich man's disease."
So true. And, so very, very sad.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Does anyone know of any groups that raise funds for needy families to get treatment??
Posts: 159 | From Toms River, NJ | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
There SHOULD be.. but I'm not aware of any.
Buy your supplements online instead of from the dr, keep testing to a minimum when possible and let the dr know you are really tight on funds.
Sometimes all of the above helps!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96173 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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RDaywillcome
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21454
posted
If you really have lyme disease, I can't imagine a llmd charging out of pocket. Most insurances cover lyme disease.
For anyone that is paying out of pocket...really needs to look into things closer.
If you do have a diagnosis of lyme disease, most insurance companies pay. Good Luck and keep researching!
Posts: 1738 | From over the rainbow | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
I am not so much asking for myself but for others.
We do have Lyme and are getting treatment from an LLMD who does not accept insurance although we can submit it for out of network benefits.
But... i thought that was one of the main issues.. most all LLMD's do not take insurance. I also thought most insurance companies won't pay for extended courses of ABX because it is out of IFSA guidelines..
thanks..
Posts: 159 | From Toms River, NJ | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- [ RDaywillcome, You must be very lucky because it is very rare to find a LLMD whom insurance will cover. Maybe you can send Sandy the name of your LLMD if you are in her area.]
Most insurances DO NOT cover lyme disease, especially for the LLMD appointments which are usually at least an hour long (or more for the first appointment).
Sorry. But don't give up. Ask all your area lyme support groups for suggestions and you might find a doctor who is covered by insurance. There are few out there.
If you find a lyme friendly doctor who can be your back-up support, the meds can be ordered through them and insurance may be more likely to cover.
Oral abx are usually covered for lyme. For other tick-borne infections, that gets more complicated. For IVs, sometimes up to 28 days may be covered but many go with orals.
Your local lyme support groups are where you will have more luck finding who and who is not covered by insurance and who you might get as your back up team.
Doxycycline is relatively cheap. Just don't give up. There's always a way.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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MDW005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22706
posted
With some insurance companies they won't pay a dime if you have a clinic dx. They want to see it on paper that you have lyme in your blood testings.
-------------------- God's promises mean you always have something wonderful to look forward to. Posts: 2150 | From Georgia | Registered: Oct 2009
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BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
I am in the same boat and i am a 30 yr old single woman living on my own. My insurance does not even cover or reinburse for ANYTHING out of network. I even have to pay for most of the cost of my medicines. I'm just going into debt for now. What can I do? Health is the most important thing.
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Not all insurance policies are the same. Since my LLMD is out of network, my ins company will reinburse me 60% of my appt. The majority of my labs have been paid and most of my meds. Who knows when and if at some point they will decided to stop paying. It happens all the time!
So all I can say is that if it comes to that, I will max out credit cards, take out loans or sale the house, because without your health what do you have!
It is really sad and shameful that it even has to come to that!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I've been infected with Lyme and Co. since birth. (I'm 31) I've been in treatment for two years come next month.
I do not have insurance. Of any kind.
I have to pay out-of-pocket for my dr, my labs, and all my supps. Most of my scripts, too.
However, I have been able to get a few of the more costly oral prescriptions through the drug manufacturer.
Technically speaking there is NO WAY financially we have been able to not go any further into debt from this.
But we haven't. I have the BEST kind of insurance possible... I'm a born-again child of God, joint heirs with Christ. My Heavenly Father has provided again, and again, and again!
It's not easy for those without health ins, especially since those who don't have health ins typically can't AFFORD health ins, so they definitely can't afford lyme treatment.
I praise God for what He's done for my family through our Lyme docs and meds. I will just keeping trusting in the Lord and praying and we'll be fine...somehow.
SmurfyMom hubby and both kids infected too.
Posts: 155 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I am a single mom with three young adult children. We are all sick. Our insurance covered our tests and meds, by llmd, through our family doctor until two of us got IVs.
Now everything is suspect. I had to change llmd to one who is much closer to home and a lot less expensive,
But we got lucky because a friend who works in a home health care group took our story to their boss. This group is now working with Dr. Burriscano to meet the needs of lymies.
They have all meds., nursing and supplies that llmds subscribe. I am checking to see if they will get our supplements too. They will bill your insurance.
Dr. B is even coming to town to do an educational seminar so we can try to reach some local docs and psych providers.
Somehow we got the cost of this mess to under $3000 a month. Still outrageous but way better than the $12000 before. This has really helped with my stress level. Still in big debt but I can see the light now.
My llmd will treat on a sliding scale. Guess we just got really lucky it all fell into place. Perhaps more llmds would consider the pay as you can?
Posts: 303 | From green bay, wi | Registered: Mar 2009
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