Aa
Neuro has Retired! :-(
My dear old neuro (age 80) has suddenly retired from practice, as his cancer came back and really whacked him. I see him Monday to get my meds squared away for the rest of the year. Dammit! I really liked and trusted this guy! A good neuro who listens is hard to find!
I have an appointment to see a new neuro on the 18th. He was recommended to me by a friend we usually have dinner with on Friday nights, who just happens to be a neuropsych. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. It's gonna be a little weird, though with the insurance - new neuro doesn't deal with insurance at all, so I have to pay $$ up front, file a claim, and see how much I get back.
I need to get a baseline physiotherapy evaluation, as I've fallen 6 times in the last 18 months (haven't hurt myself, and I usually catch the counter, a chair, or DH's arm), just because one leg or the other doesn't get the message to move. I need a swallow study, as I'm having more and more difficulty with that. I need a baseline cognitive study, because I'm having trouble with that, too, or I'm just getting old.
OK, rant over...
I have an appointment to see a new neuro on the 18th. He was recommended to me by a friend we usually have dinner with on Friday nights, who just happens to be a neuropsych. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. It's gonna be a little weird, though with the insurance - new neuro doesn't deal with insurance at all, so I have to pay $$ up front, file a claim, and see how much I get back.
I need to get a baseline physiotherapy evaluation, as I've fallen 6 times in the last 18 months (haven't hurt myself, and I usually catch the counter, a chair, or DH's arm), just because one leg or the other doesn't get the message to move. I need a swallow study, as I'm having more and more difficulty with that. I need a baseline cognitive study, because I'm having trouble with that, too, or I'm just getting old.
OK, rant over...
So sorry to hear this!!! My neuro is 63 ish and says he has no plans to retire but his age scares me as he has been my adovacate, compassionate listener and active neuro from day one. I think I know I know how you feel, although I haven't heard those words yet.
I do hope your new neuro is good and though possibly expensive out of pocket fees may be a strain, it sounds like a good work-up. Hopefully, you'll have good luck like Kyle!
Hang in there!!!
Hugs!!!!
Ren
I do hope your new neuro is good and though possibly expensive out of pocket fees may be a strain, it sounds like a good work-up. Hopefully, you'll have good luck like Kyle!
Hang in there!!!
Hugs!!!!
Ren
that sure stinks to have lost this neuro, but I guess at 80 he deserves the retirement and chance to fight his own health. Stinks about the financial side of this new doctor and I hope if you decided to stick with this doc you can figure out an efficient method for insurance reimbursement.
A good neuro is priceless, but I hope it doesn't break the bank for you to see this one.
good luck!
L
A good neuro is priceless, but I hope it doesn't break the bank for you to see this one.
good luck!
L
Hi GG- I'm of the opinion that in most cases you get what you pay for :-)
When I set up the first appointment with my neuro, I was told flat out, "No insurance. Bring $1,000." So I paid $1,000 out of pocket for the first appointment. Once they had my money, they happily submitted a claim on my behalf. I got about $750 back.
Since that first appointment they have fled all my claims for me and billed me for the difference. They have even gone so far as to file a claim for Rituxan treatment in advance, to make sure the insurer paid before I owed the doc $22,000!
Beyond the book keeping help, my neuro is a gift from God :-) So it may be worth your time and money to go see the new neuro, decide if you like him/her, and then worry about the insurance. Docs know that if they really want to get paid the need to play some version of the insurance game!
Good luck on the 18th.
Kyle
When I set up the first appointment with my neuro, I was told flat out, "No insurance. Bring $1,000." So I paid $1,000 out of pocket for the first appointment. Once they had my money, they happily submitted a claim on my behalf. I got about $750 back.
Since that first appointment they have fled all my claims for me and billed me for the difference. They have even gone so far as to file a claim for Rituxan treatment in advance, to make sure the insurer paid before I owed the doc $22,000!
Beyond the book keeping help, my neuro is a gift from God :-) So it may be worth your time and money to go see the new neuro, decide if you like him/her, and then worry about the insurance. Docs know that if they really want to get paid the need to play some version of the insurance game!
Good luck on the 18th.
Kyle
I am so sorry.
Alex
Alex
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hey babe,
So sorry to hear about your neuro and i hope the new one works out well for you! um not sure about insurance but it sounds like at best you'll pay 20% and at worst you'll have to pay the lot, gosh why isn't anything ever simple any more.
Hope the new guy is a good substitute!
Cheers.........JJ
So sorry to hear about your neuro and i hope the new one works out well for you! um not sure about insurance but it sounds like at best you'll pay 20% and at worst you'll have to pay the lot, gosh why isn't anything ever simple any more.
Hope the new guy is a good substitute!
Cheers.........JJ
I meant out of network was covered anywhere from 0% to 80% depending on the service provided.
I had a PPO for my last insurance and depending on what service it was, it covered 0% - 80%.
Yeah, I know I won't get everything he charges. But I've read online reviews for him, and they're really positive. I'm on a PPO plan (not an HMO), and their out-of-network rules are a little less stringent.
We'll see what happens...
We'll see what happens...
That is too bad GG.
I think you might want to rethink seeing this new Neuro. I have been to a PC that didn't do insurance at all at t was a bad experience all the way around. First off you end up waiting forever to get a refund from the insurance company (if you get any at all that is). Then you also end up paying more than you should because the insurance company will base you refund on usual payment amount for the service, not on what you actually paid.
Dennis
I think you might want to rethink seeing this new Neuro. I have been to a PC that didn't do insurance at all at t was a bad experience all the way around. First off you end up waiting forever to get a refund from the insurance company (if you get any at all that is). Then you also end up paying more than you should because the insurance company will base you refund on usual payment amount for the service, not on what you actually paid.
Dennis
New neuro doesn't deal with insurance AT ALL? I've heard of some who don't participate in certain insurances, but I have NEVER heard of a doctor who doesn't deal with insurance AT ALL.
Does your retiring neuro or his office have any recommendations? An associate maybe?
Does your retiring neuro or his office have any recommendations? An associate maybe?
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