posted
Wow! I thought my problems was finding one.
I probably have no chance with a state subsidized insurance.
Posts: 105 | From Mass | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
What's the deal?
Expert care requires careful attention. Each LLMD's office usually has an outline of what the costs cover. Ask for that.
But it's also important to consider the cost of operating an office - just their being there means they have to pay all sorts of bills, too. Often LLMDs have to be on their own in order to offer the necessary care (since the IDSA has cut out good care for lyme). Therefore, there is no medical group to share some of the operating costs as with many other doctors in the mainstream jungle.
Sometimes, the fee will cover an extensive appointment of several hours, review of records, patient education and, perhaps, some tests.
Compare the doctor's experience, his methods, his success rate and what is covered. You either determine it to be within your means or not - and, if so, ask at your local support group for others who have had success with this particular doctor.
All that will help determine if this may be a good fit or not.
Yes, that is a lot. Still, an expert in any other field of medicine will likely charge comparable fees for time and evaluation AND you still would not have someone with the experience and knowledge of a LLMD.
It's not so much that LLMD appointments are so high but that the patients and LLMDs are excluded from insurance benefits. You can thank the IDSA for that.
It's no news that most LLMDs do not take insurance because the insurance companies simply will not reimburse for the extended appointment times that are necessary.
There are a few LLMDs who do take some insurances and that LLMD seems to do so. It may well be that Blue Cross will not fairly reimburse LLMDs or that there is some other reason.
Call that LLMD's office manager and ask them why not Blue Cross. You will get a far more specific answer from them than from here as Blue Cross coverage can vary from region to region and even doctor to doctor.
posted
east and west coasts are the most expensive....
keebler did a great job of explaining things...
IP: Logged |
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Thank you ISDA.
Whats the point of having insurance if your sick and they wont see you?
Why not just exterminate us allready.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
yeah, i just got my appointments all screwed up and missed my lyme appointment.
cost -- 150 for missed appointment.
wow, and me on retirement income. that hurts. they called and reminded me but somehow it just didn't register...i mean right over my head. i said oh yeah fine, i've got it, but i marked it on the wrong month!!!
gads...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
wow randi. Im like that and Im a good 30 years from retirement.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
That's actually quite a normal price for a first appointment. Keep in mind that first appts. are about 3-4 hours long and include all your blood testing and everything. Anywhere from $600-$1,200 for first appointments is common. You can usually submit to your insurance for out of network coverage and get atleast part of that reimbursed.
IP: Logged |
posted
can you pm me with the name if they are in ny, pa, nj or ct? they take my ins WOW! and I have been to several llmds, and none took ins. i would be interested. thanks.
Posts: 262 | From nj | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I understand the rationale behind the high prices.
Let's not forget "liability insurance." It must be extremely high for these doctors.
I do blame the IDSA/CDC/Insurance Co/Politicians....
But we are a captive audience.
AND it still stinks regardless why...
I personally would like to see a little pro-bono work LOL
Posts: 105 | From Mass | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
I kept mine down by taking my recent labs and he
did not have to do those. While I am saving for the
next visit. I removed over 400. off the first
visit by having done this. Something that might help.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think those off insurance tend to treat more aggressively too.
Posts: 743 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Mine is $950 for the first appt. BUT he does take Medicare; I've spent well over $1,000 on my first two visits but now that I just got Medicare, it's only $29.00 for a follow up. And he is very, very good.
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
| IP: Logged |
posted
i am seeing more and more how broke the system is the longer i am in tx.
keebler makes a good point for the dr./lyme practitioner side. but, who makes a good point for the patients side/ our story??
my LLMD is not going to consider our premium of over $750/mo that we pay to HAVE ins. for our family in the first place.
hubby is "self employed" and i have been unable to work since last aug. my income loss is significant.
we pay for private coverage trying to do the right thing. not lying, not trying to use govt progams. etc.
then, when we DO have to really use this policy we start handing out $$ hand over fist all over again in january....$500 rx deductabile on each of us for "non-preferred"..ok so there is 1k in jan. for me and my son.
then $2500 ded/ per person for medical...ok...i met that by feb.
now having another surj that will still cost us about 600 and thats nearing ins finally paying 100%.
praying nobody gets any illness that would max our 5mil limit.
i found out recently our rx rider has limit of 5k for "brand only" prescriptions allowed per yr. so had to change mepron.
LLMD was confused when i told this at last appt aobut rx limit and cost of mepron $910 for 1 mo.
that + ins. premium+ deductable+co-ins+ all other rx's+ supplements
and now add in LLMD's going to cash only
thinking that rate of tx success chimes in with ability to obtain needed care for lyme and co for appropriate length of time....and the cost of being unable to do so....despite having insurance you pay through the nose for and even with "good" job....despite the loss of my income still have hubby's
there has to be a better solution. I understand the Dr's need to make profit. But, how can a pt. unable to work and barely function be the expense??
just fustrated i guess
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am Canadian so not only is there no hope of my new LLMD taking insurance but I have to pay in US dollars. And a 90 minute drive, a two hour ferry ride, then a two hour drive, hotels and so on, and all in USD. I will be bankrupt before I am healthy. My new LLMD first visit is $550usd for the first time then $200 thereafter.
Posts: 234 | From BC Canada | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic