Is my Lyme Doctor Taking Financial Advantage of Me?

Hi all,

I see Dr. D in Marlboro, NJ.  She is a holistic doctor in her approach, but really treats with natural remedies.  She and her son both had chronic LD, so you would think she would be very forgiving financially for her patients.  She charges 350/hour per visit, the supplements, herbs, etc. costs me anywhere from 400-700 dollars each time I see her, if not more, and she charges 250/hour for email responses.  Does this sound like she is taking financial advantage of her patients?  Is this normal?

I believe she is part of ILADS and is an LLMD, but IMHO, LLYM and ILADS training does not mean jack sh** to me...I've seen several LLMDs and ILADs trained doctors who still treat very tunnel-visioned and are narrow in their approach to healing

I've seen those prices for LLMD's, so I don't believe anyone can say it's 'excessive' in that manner. Is it expensive? Oh yeah!! But we also have to remember the risk they are taking when they try to treat us using ILADS treatment standards - and the pressure is ramping up quickly!!! They put themselves on the line with every patient they see. Many have lost their license to practice medicine or have had to move out of state or agree to have a monitor (very expensive!!!) to watch over every single prescription and chart simply because they don't follow IDSA treatment standards.

The reference I made to pressure ramping up is due to the new "Lyme Corps" that the CDC has developed. "At the end of her talk, Dr. Nelson described a program called Lyme Corps, a CDC-sponsored, interdisciplinary program consisting of medical students, public health students, and residents from the University of Vermont."
/uvmmedicineblog.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/joining-lyme-corps-to-raise-awareness-in-vermont/

"Lyme Corps participants currently work in collaboration with the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health to educate health care providers and community members about Lyme disease. Activities range from giving presentations in classes and communities, distributing information to outdoor-type clubs, attending farmers’ markets, and writing articles for local publications. These activities will continue throughout the summer and potentially into the fall across the state.
/learn.uvm.edu/blog-health/lyme-disease-awareness-in-vermont

And another eye opening article about this: www.healthsci.jmu.edu/pa/features/lymecorps.html

But you have to see the value in their experience and expertise too. If you don't believe you aren't getting the care you should, that's a different story, but based solely on price, while she's expensive, no, she's not "taking advantage" of her patients.

I do agree with Reminder in that you could try to save some money by getting your supplements and herbs from another source. As long as they are carefully matched to make sure that you are still getting exactly what she's prescribing and not anything other than that, then there shouldn't be a problem.

For example, my doc sells my adrenal meds, bile salts, and tryptophan that I need to use. She has openly stated that if I can find a better price, she would encourage me to buy them there (but to tell her where I get them so she can pass the info along to others). I have searched and can't find any better price on the adrenal meds and bile salts, but I save almost half on the tryptophan if I buy it elsewhere.

I feel taken advantage of by the first LLMD. I went to the practice 2 years ago because I thought I had Lyme...but they didn't test me for it. I was diagnosed with and treated for "adrenal fatigue." I know more now, and it's obvious that my presenting symptoms should have prompted testing...I recently saw a receipt from them... I was charged $40 for a small sample pack of 10 homeopathic pills. Ridiculous price. I'm especially annoyed now that I have been diagnosed with Lyme 2 years later.
I'm currently seeing an osteopath/ functional medicine doc who is much less expensive. I'm receiving attentive, personalized care from her. I'm much happier and will most likely continue to work with her.

I've decided to write a letter to the first practice to let them know
that they missed it.

I want to make it clear that I could never, ever afford those prices. I know that prices like that keep many people from getting help from a LL doc, but is it a rip off or is it justified? All I know is that it's not that out of line with other LLMD's and doctors that don't accept insurance.

Dave if you are not happy with Dr D, you could try Dr. M in the city, would be convenient for you during work weeks. You could bring all the work you have had done and files with you so it's not necessary to repeat.

There is always Dr. Z and Dr. O in Shrewsbury or Dr. E in Jackson...