posted
I have been quoted $100 an hour and find this exorbitant. Is this the "going rate"? I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks!
Posts: 3 | From Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
mine is $350 an hour, in california
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I don't think it's a good idea to discuss rates like this on the message board. I will say though, I went to my PCP recently and my insurance company was billed $205. I saw the doctor for less than ten minutes.
My shortest in person LLMD appt. was 30 minutes with the doctor himself. If he charged what my PCP does, that would have been over $1200. I think our LLMD's are treating us right. And yes, they're expensive.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Six is right.. PCP's are more expensive than LLMD's in most cases.
$100 an hour is cheap for either one!!!
My PCP charges roughly $300 an hour. My LLMD was about $250.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- We have to consider the time they spend reviewing our cases, considering the options, etc. It's more than just "face" time.
I know it's nearly impossible for most patients but we also need to remember that most LLMD are not even able to get insurance companies to cover them - and they also have staff, rent, upkeep, continuing education, and their malpractice insurance is just sky high (no thanks to the IDSA which wants all LLMD to just disappear).
It's not their fault but the failure of our current mainstream medical model that has driven the LLMD out on their own if we are to be treated properly at all. It's not a situation either LLMD or patient wants, but the overhead with running an office must be covered. And - if a LLMD is excellent - they are worth a reasonable fee.
For any typical doctor, with insurance coverage, they often get far more than $100. for a short appointment with you - even if they are ineffective.
Many MDs are paid MUCH more that by insurance companies in bonuses to NOT diagnose lyme. Really. Sad but true. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It may not help now but remember that LLMDs fees are tax-deductible as a medical expense, as are travel costs and lodging for that appointment (if a certain distance away). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I don't know why I didn't think to list my appointment fees and travel costs on my taxes! Too late for this year, but thanks so much for that info!
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- About IRS tax deductions. Each year, there are some changes to medical allowances. So just make sure to consult the proper year's tax code when figuring that out.
If a MD prescribes specific supplements to treat a medical condition, those can also be deducted.
You would need a note from that doctor stating which supplements are REQUIRED for you to treat a specific medical condition (and you should not have to say what that condition is).
ND and Acupuncture appointments are also considered.
Not from this past year, so do check for any changes but - this tells you what's been in recent years:
You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, ``natural medicines,'' etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. Otherwise, these items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health, and are not for medical care.
Yes! So keep track of your treatments. The costs of acupuncture and prescribed herbal medicine are indeed deductible medical expenses.
What is a medical expense?
Acupuncture falls under the definition of a medical expense which is: ``the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body.
They include the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes.''
What expenses can you include?
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS:_You can include the amount you pay for acupuncture for you, your spouse, children and dependents.
PRESCRIBED HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS:_Nutritional supplements, vitamins, Chinese herbal supplements and other natural medicines that are prescribed by an acupuncturist or physician as treatment for a specific medical condition that is diagnosed by an acupuncturist or medical practitioner are tax deductible.
TRANSPORTATION TO ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENT:_The standard mileage rate allowed for out-of-pocket expenses for a car when you use it for medical reasons is 14 cents a mile for 2004.
Bus, taxi, train and plane fares primarily for and essential to medical care are also included. How much of the expenses are included?
You can deduct only the amount of your total medical and dental expenses for the year that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
quote:Originally posted by MamaMelvis: I don't know why I didn't think to list my appointment fees and travel costs on my taxes! Too late for this year, but thanks so much for that info! [/QB]
Meals too if you are at least 100 miles away (or is it 50). Check with your accountant.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Do you know this for a fact? Have any credible sources? Just curious.
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: -
Many MDs are paid MUCH more that by insurance companies in bonuses to NOT diagnose lyme. Really. Sad but true. -
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
It's not what is the hourly rate a LLMD charges that's important. It's how crazy expensive per hour it costs a PATIENT as insurance doesn't cover much. I look at things from my financial perspective because I have to if I want to survive. Sad, but true.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
The problem with discussing it is, here we say what we pay, then in another post we say, "I see Dr. X".
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- seekhelp,
Sorry, I do not have documentation for my remark about how many doctors are paid to NOT diagnose lyme. However, I have read that from several different trusting and verifiable sources over time. I would never make such a remark lightly.
Hopefully, someone can come along with some links to document the sources of that information. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Seek.. Have you tried getting your insurance to reimburse you for part of the cost?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Lymetoo, yes I have submitted the bills, but unfortunately my insurance has dramatically cut back on out-of-network reimbursement. They pay off a 'Medicare' schedule, which is peanuts. Also, phone consults aren't covered at all. I know that's common for everyone.
Don't get me wrong. I appreciate I have insurance and don't forget that. I guess my point is so many say here LLMDs are a great deal when you break down cost per hour for them. When you look at cost per hour for US out-of-pocket, it's ridiculous. It's just the way it is. I'm not disputing they have expenses to cover like other medical professionals.
Another thought I have is no LLMD or regular doctor truly spends time to look through all records sent to them. Anyone who believes this is fooling themselves. Money is not made by wasting time reviewing a patient's records in that detail. I think more time is spent at an initial consult, but afterwards oh well.
Keebler, I don't doubt what you say. I just wondered if there was proof. It's a bold statement. The IDSA has no problem making bold statements though!
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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I look at things from my financial perspective because I have to if I want to survive. Sad, but true.
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