posted
Well this certainly did turn into a heated debate...
I am hoping that Tracy read my respnse to hers....If you didnt, I want to repeat that this post WAS not about our LLMD....IT was about a price of another doctor completely.
Anyway, I only posted this because I was so mad about how much it was to be sick and be seen by a doctor...I was not bashing any doctor, especially not my own. This thread was not even about my doctor, or his price.
I wish everyone well and the best of care!!
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
I'd complain too Unexpected. You've received numerous responses from me. When you're sick and crippled, you're damn right I'm going to complain. I'll point the finger at "everyone" who is involved in this mess. It's then up to them to deal with how they want to respond to my feelings.
Always express your feelings when it is safe to do so. I'm not going to feel "oh boo hoo, I have to protect others from my feelings" just so I can stuff them and feel worse for being a coward.
Do yourself a favor though. Make sure you're working to change things if you do continue to point the finger. Otherwise it's a waste of time after awhile. Make things happen, write representatives, go to protests, write a book about the controversy. Hell, open a blog dedicated to a particular aspect of Lyme.
What goes around comes around. All will get an equal serving based on my observations. Do good things and good things will probably happen to ya. Do bad things, and bad things are probably going to happen to ya! Sounds like the IDSA to me.
-------------------- 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.
I have started to do soemthing about it. As much as I can from my bed. I have started documenting it, so please go to my YouTube page.....I am doing what I can. And you'll even get to see me when I was healthy and doing what I love best...performing!!!
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Jesus, you're good! I watched some videos. Amazing. And I don't normally say that. I think most things suck, and I'm blunt in my opinions! So I hope you get well, so you can perform more! Well, there are other reasons too, but, that would be nice!
Let me know what's going on with your diagnosis and where you're at. I know you're seeing the LLMD soon.
-- Mike
-------------------- 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.
posted
My new LLMD only charges $250 per consultation and each consult is 2.5 hrs long.....
Of course there is weekly blood work and IV treatment in here clinic is around $2,000 a week, it sounds like alot but if oyu think about it.
That is paying or the IV ABX, IV glutathione, IV antioxidants, IV bendadryl, extra fluids, and being able to see the LLMD any day of the week for a brief session if you want. Also the nuses care and clean your picc line as well. All of that is for 7 days a week of treatment, twice a day.
I figured it is going to cost around $27,000 to get well again for me...
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-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
This topic needs to be here and discussed, I agree!
I travel out of my way to see an LLMD who charges less per visit than the "closer" LLMD who's in the $800 range for an initial visit (not including bloodwork).
The advice I got from others was that I needed to decide who I could be with for the long haul. Both are excellent and highly recommended, BTW.
The market allows the one to charge more, his operating expenses are greater.
Bottom line, it's expensive to get sick, to have surgery, to get treated for any medical condition long term... carly.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
If nothing else, this post has made me realize just how lucky I am that my LLMD DOES take insurance. Even with insurance, we're spending thousands of dollars a year on medical bills. Getting me diagnosed, all the tests I had run, the specialists I've been sent to, and now IV antibiotics... I worry every day that my insurance will stop covering it.
Maybe I was looking at the wrong figures, but I think that my doctor only charges $65 for an office visit. Are some areas/cities just more expensive than others?
Posts: 306 | From Brownsville, PA | Registered: Jul 2007
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Shandy, Please dont leave the board. I think it is a good discussion. I hope you are doing ok. Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
It is so sad that so many people in the U.S cannot afford even basic healthcare. Sadder still is the fact that there are so many children without access to care.
I hope someday we'll realize how much we can learn from the successful healthcare programs in other countries.
Why can't we make it happen here? At the very least we must make sure we are well-informed before we enter that voting booth!
Posts: 345 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2008
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Shandy,
So sorry I haven't responded sooner, I very appreciate your clarification and all is well.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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I am so so so sorry for what you are going through. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I am keeping her in my prayers. This is just horrible.
It is ridiculous I know....the costs to be sick, to help your child. My son has Lyme, but not as bad as your little girl. I get scared everyday about my daughter (1 year) because my illness really started during my pregnancy with her.
I wish there was something I could do....I can just jeep you in my thoughts. I jsut cant imagine what you are going through. Lyme disease is hard enough for an adult, but for your baby to be going through this....I just cannot imagine.
WHat doc are you seeing? You can PM me if you'd like.
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Which PCP did you see that was willing to work with your LLMD? You can PM me if you wish. I'm always looking for good physicians willing to help patients who have an LLMD.
It's often "as" important as the LLMD having that support close to home.
-------------------- 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
Kayas, have you considered seeing an LLMD who is affordable? Did you know you have access to hundreds of other doctors, some of which are even closer to you? I've got a list a mile long and there are a lot of fantastic LLMD's who don't charge ungodly prices.
I mean I can't gaurantee anything, but you could try calling. I'd be willing to give you some names if you ever decide to transfer your care.
-------------------- 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.
My heart was breaking as I read your post. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
You sound like an amazing person (and an amazing mom.)
Jeanne
Posts: 345 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2008
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
Here's Marie McQuhay lyme story in utube.
Parents got no more money to treat her, they got into deep depression, lost their business, she's totally bed ridden, no insurance will cover her treatment for post-lyme, left to die without help, they lost everything.
This is inacceptable. It's more than outrageous.
Posts: 6200 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I want to reiterate what Metallic Blue said about other LLMDs being available.
Most LLMDs will provide insurance claim forms. There are a few that refuse to do anything to help patients get insurance coverage. I can't answer as to why that is.
If anybody's doctor refuses to help with the insurance process or does not follow through with promises, then you, as the patient, have the right to not use that doctor.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I am a patient of the LLMD referred by Tracy9, and I am EXTREMELY grateful he treats me.
If being a Lyme doc is so lucrative, how come there are so few? I live in a highly endemic area, and there are ZERO docs in my state who are LLMD's.
Just sayin', if being an LLMD was the road to riches, more docs would be on it!
Posts: 78 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jul 2006
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Actually I have a few + doctors in RI now who treat Lyme! Woo hoo! If anyone knows of others in RI who treat, let me know.
Also, you're seeing Dr. P right? Could you give me a summary of your experience with him, whether he's compassionate, knowledgable etc? Surprisingly for how awesome he is (I met him), I actually only have one or two patient reports on him.
-------------------- 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.
I also have seen one doc in RI who treats Lyme, Dr. G in Wickford. He is my in-state doc in case I go the IV route.
Though I am not well yet (1.5 years into treatment) I feel that Dr. P is the doc who has the best chance of getting me there.
I don't know what information you are looking for in a "review". PM me with questions if you would like.
Posts: 78 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Metallic Blue, please clean out your mailbox. Thanks!
Posts: 115 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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omgwtfbbq
Unregistered
posted
Try having a disease where there are three specialists in the country that take your insurance. One has over a year wait for a new patient appt. so it's not even an option.
I'm left with only one doc who is great, but his office is only open 3 part days a week so they are hard to get in contact with. Very frustrating but it's my only option, and it's a 1100 mile round trip plus $20 to $40 in tolls and $20 for parking. It's still MUCH cheaper to go see him than than the closer doctor that doesn't take insurance.
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