Rattle the TINCUP: What is the going rate for an LLMD appt?

WHEN WILL THE LYME-ACTIVISTS TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE MONEY-SUCKERS?

Lymeindunkirk:

"WOW, you all have gotten off dirt cheap. I feel even more like a first class fool. How about $1300.00 for the first visit NOT including blood work and IGENEX bills every two weeks(for three months until I left) that were about $800-$900.00. Then $650.00 for every visit not including blood work? I guess I was right. Dr. B in Colmar, PA was charging way way too much!

My doc now charges $150.00 a visit plus supplements if I choose to purchase them. Thank god not all of them are out to make a fortune but do care about making people well."

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This is topic What is the going rate for an LLMD appt? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on 04 July, 2005 06:18 PM :

I'm in the process of switching LLMD's and was wondering what is the going rate to see an LLMD? I've had Igenex testing done but not for co-infections?

Anyone have a range of what I should be paying?

Posted by Biting Back (Member # 6018) on 04 July, 2005 06:21 PM :

I believe it's in the $420 range for an office visit with an LLMD in the midwest.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on 04 July, 2005 06:25 PM :

My LLMD charges around $400 for a two hour initial appointment. Then around $135 for follow-ups of about 45 minutes.

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on 04 July, 2005 08:55 PM :

The LLMDs I was going to see charge btwn $400-$700 for the 1st visit. Some also charge for 25 min phone calls $125 btwn visits.

If you're lucky they make take insurance, but that's more the exception, not the rule.

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on 04 July, 2005 08:59 PM :

Here, usually the initial apt. is about $250 because it includes blood testing.

Afterwards, the cost is usually about $75--$100. With Phone consultations being about $45.

Posted by Squeegee (Member # 7219) on 04 July, 2005 09:05 PM :

My LLMD charges $350 for initial visit (about an hour and a half) and $190 for subsequent visits (about half an hour).

The LLNP he referred me to charges $130 for the initial visit and $75 for subsequent visits. (I don't know the length of time for these visits as I have my first appointment with her later this month.)



Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on 04 July, 2005 09:10 PM :

I paid 235.00 for the first visit but I already had all the blood tests done. It is usually alot more and includes the blood tests.

Regular visits are 85.00

My insurance won't pay for these out of network visits but do pay for meds from this LLMD.

Posted by no2lyme (Member # 6978) on 04 July, 2005 10:09 PM :

I guess I need to move. Here I pay $600 for initial visit. Every appt after that is $300. Then Igenex seems to average $300 every 6-8 weeks.

Although that is with Dr. S, Dr. G in Palo Alto I see as well but she is less for a longer appt.



Posted by Jellybelly (Member # 7142) on 04 July, 2005 10:27 PM :

Wow! I guess, I'm lucky sort of. I am seeing my first LLMD tomorrow and he charges $170.00 hr. He said the first appt, could take up to 4 hours. I'm going to try to make it quick, I have medical history all written down so I can rattle it off real fast, like 15 minutes worth and he won't have to write anything down.

I'll let you know what my lab results are tomorrow.

Posted by ICEiam (Member # 7519) on 04 July, 2005 11:23 PM :

We paid $350.00 for first visit and then it is supposed to be $190 for every visit after that, and $75.00 for a 15 min phone consultation if you live more than 100 miles from the doctor. Daughter has had 2 phone consultations and talked to LLMD on phone a total of 6 times and he has never charged her for any of these. She has her 3rd reg appointment with him in August, I plan on paying for that one.........I think. He has given her meds twice also at no charge. He is a great person and a wonderful Doctor. We have great respect and are very grateful for such a kind man for a Doctor. We took my 3 year old granddaughter to him in May and he also did a follow up appt. on my daughter at the same time and didn't charge us. He referred the little one to see Dr. J in CT. then he will work with Dr. J on her follow up appointments as he has been to CT to work with Dr. J. Now the next trip to CT the LLMD there charges $780.00 for first appt. I nearly passed out!!! Plus we have to fly clear across the US. SHEESH!!

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ICEY

IDAHO LYME SUPPORT GROUP
ICEiam@xxxxxxx

[This message has been edited by ICEiam (edited 04 July 2005).]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on 04 July, 2005 11:52 PM :

ICE...did you find a dr in Idaho??
Posted by RuthH (Member # 7430) on 05 July, 2005 12:03 AM :


quote:Originally posted by tickalert:
what is the going rate to see an LLMD?


Hi, I don't know where you're located, but I can tell you the LLMD I see in PA charges $57 for each monthly visit. I had my Igenex testing done prior to finding him, so that was already taken care of. He only orders bi-monthly blood tests to track my kidneys & liver functions & my white cell count. I have that done where I live. He just gives me the orders to have it done. Ruth H

[This message has been edited by RuthH (edited 05 July 2005).]

Posted by pippy (Member # 6005) on 05 July, 2005 12:56 AM :

you are really lucky to have Dr. S if you like this doc its worth it.
Wanna give me your place?

I can't get in to see him he's that in demand!
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on 05 July, 2005 12:53 PM :

My visits are $100.00. I was appalled by the LLMD who wanted $750/cash + lab test costs for a 1 hour initial consultation. I think that is downright rude. My MD charges me the same as he charges his patients who are being treated for Infectious Diseases other than Lyme. That's the way it should be, in my opinion.
Posted by pattiecake (Member # 6424) on 05 July, 2005 01:00 PM :

My doctor charges 250.00 for the initial 1.5 hour visit. Then I paid 190.00 to Igenex and then a 150.00 follow up office visit.
pc
Posted by duramater (Member # 6480) on 05 July, 2005 01:06 PM :

My LLMD charges $350/hour, thus a two hour initial consult is $700, a 30 min follow up is $175 as are 30 minute consults by phone.

Needless to say, I rely heavily on my PCP...

Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on 05 July, 2005 07:43 PM :

WOW, you all have gotten off dirt cheap. I feel even more like a first class fool. How about $1300.00 for the first visit NOT including blood work and IGENEX bills every two weeks(for three months until I left) that were about $800-$900.00. Then $650.00 for every visit not including blood work? I guess I was right. Dr. B in Colmar, PA was charging way way too much!

My doc now charges $150.00 a visit plus supplements if I choose to purchase them. Thank god not all of them are out to make a fortune but do care about making people well.

Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on 06 July, 2005 10:57 AM :

My initial appt with Dr B here in CO was $400.00-not including blood work. My follow ups range from $75.00 to $100.00 depending on how much time he has to spend with me. I don't get charged for phone consultations.

Nancy

Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on 06 July, 2005 12:32 PM :

My initial visit was $255. I think there was a venipuncture charge in there.

Subsequent visits are $85 unless blood is drawn and then it's $105.

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on 06 July, 2005 01:18 PM :

When I changed my llmd, I was able to have the initial fee waived. I had all the records mailed from the first llmd, so no data had to be collected. We go as a family group so the cost per person is low and get a cash discount.
Posted by no2lyme (Member # 6978) on 06 July, 2005 09:31 PM :

Pippy - I love Dr. S, just saw him today. Although I hear a cha ching sound when I walk in, he is worth it.

Keep calling, keep emailing fax them...one day someone will have a cancellation and they will think of you.

It took close to 9 months to get to see im. don't give up!

Posted by Mishelly00 (Member # 5897) on 25 October, 2005 12:20 AM :

I know this is an old post but OH MY GOD!! I was doing a search for something else and this Post came up. I can't believe how lucky I am to have found my doc. My doctor takes my insurance I have been seeing her for over a year and I only have to pay my co-payments of $20.00. I had no Idea everyone pays that much. I had to file bankcruptcy and am completely broke from not working. I don't know how all of you pay that. Why do all the doctors charge so much.?? Now I am confused!! I live in Mass and go to a doctor in Maine but now I am confused why my visits are covered. God I don't want to jinx myself(knock on wood).
Posted by smiles132002 (Member # 7949) on 25 October, 2005 12:55 AM :

my doc in menlo park, ca charges $425 for the initial visit which is over an hour and does NOT include testing. For a 20-30 minute appt it's $225 but most of my appts have to be longer since we go over blood work (which is not covered in the visit) and those are $325 for 30-45 minutes. Phone calls lasting more than 10 minutes can range from $225-425. My doc does not accept any insurance however she was able to talk to my kaiser doc and get my meds covered-for now atleast. However, kaiser does not reinburse me for ne of the appts with LLMD doc. Luckily i have only had to do one igenex test but i'm sure that i will need to have more testing done in the near future! This totally sucks we should be able to have insurance cover all this-i mean seriously this is why we pay for medical insurance to be INSURED-for situations like this. Good luck everyone!
Posted by Boomerang (Member # 7979) on 25 October, 2005 01:17 AM :

$590 for doctor in Missouri. Included lab tests.

Insurance paid half of it, because we used an non approved physician....
Posted by ebrischoux (Member # 7281) on 25 October, 2005 06:37 PM :

Paid 650.00 for initial exam and 275.00 for any follow ups. Havent heard from ins. co. yet to see if they will cover these costs.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on 25 October, 2005 07:04 PM :

$575 for initial 1 hour appt with Dr. P. in Wilton, CT.
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on 25 October, 2005 08:21 PM :

I think I paid $300 for initial 90-minute visit with NJ LLMD. Plus Igenex tests.

Subsequent visits have run about $120.

(Wow, I'm so glad I took the advice of people here and didn't go see Dr. B. in Colmar, PA! [Eek!] )

Andie
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on 25 October, 2005 09:30 PM :

My LLMD in upstate NY charges about $400 for the initial appointment (about an hour) and then it's between $150 and $200 for 15-minute to half-hour follow-ups.

--Annie
Posted by karieo (Member # 7831) on 26 October, 2005 01:35 AM :

My wonderful Dr. G. in Palo Alto charges about $255 for my appointments. The Western Blot cost me $180 from IGeneX (both tests), and the test for co-infections was darned expensive. About $550 if I remember correctly, which I may not. We are blessed--our insurance covers most of it, like 70%. Dr. G has seen me since her days in general practice. She began to specialize about the time I needed her intense focus on both women's medicine and Lyme. Did I read somewhere that she sometimes practices with a doctor in SF?

Good luck to all of us as we deal with insurance coverage, deductibles and limits.
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