Can the costs get any higher?

[jkv44]

Hi all!

Just had an appt yesterday with the doctor. It went well and put me on another antibiotic in addition to what I'm taking.

Some days are good but the financial part of it is hell. I have to go once every two weeks to have my blood checked etc.

I just got another prescription and hope to god that my primanry will write so I can get it through my insurance coverage.

It just seems so unfar that after my doctor couldn't fiind the lyme,,,I have to pay out of pocket to a great doctor who does.
I might have to get a part time job to help pay for the meds. I'm not sure doing what. Maybe I can do in home day care after getting home from teaching.

Anyone every feel this way? JKV

[JackieCalifornia]

I'd rather have to keep driving my old car and wearing my old clothes and not eat out or take vacations, so that I can pay for my doctors and meds -- because as soon as the insurance co. or the government has the responsibility for all the costs, then they will start limiting what treatments we can have.  

In an area of medicine like Lyme where there are so many controversies about treatment, it frightens me more than I can tell you that the government will, if the proposed health care plan is passed, only 'evidence-based medicine' will be permitted:  that means the IDSA/CDC guidelines win, and the LLMDs (who now treat us and risk investigation for overprescribing) could be flatly forbidden to treat us according to their understanding and practice experience.

Does it aggravate me to pay so much for doctors and meds?  You bet.  But once Uncle Sam starts paying the piper, Uncle Sam gets to call the tune.  The efficiency of the post office and the compassion of the IRS is what we'll get.  There are ways other than turning health care over the government to lower costs, but it's all been turned into a political power trip.  Personally, I don't want Nancy Pelosi as my doctor.

If you think arguing with your insurance company is hard, wait till you are arguing with the government.  It will be a one-way conversation, because you will have no other choices.

[gorbybelle]

It makes me soooo angry that we have to pay so much for our treatment - maybe we should keep all receipts and one day will be able to claim it all back! - we might be well and rich - wishful thinking.......

[patsy10]

Fortunately my insurance has covered this recently.  I had to pay out of pocket though and drive out of state when it first started.  This is why I ended up stopping treatment before I was well.