I know that I live in Maryland and trravel to NJ to my LLMD. Most do not take insurance. I have been to doctors that were between 150-300 each visit. That was very hard to pay and since I was the worst one I went. My whole family has it.
I found this new doctor from freinds that also live in MD and travel to NJ. Once the intial visit of 300 and 500 for the test (igenex) best lab in the country I have never teated positive due to the fact od having it so long but they found it. Anyway after your first intial visit each visit after that is only $95.00 which is unheard of in the Lyme community!! Now we all three can afford to be treated.
You will have worse symptoms from taking meds because they kill off the Lyme which turns to toxins in our systems. I don't think 30 days is enough anyway. Regular Physicians don't have a clue so I agree that you need to see a LLMD.
I know my doctor you have to pay up front but they give you all the paper work to turn into your insurance co which the others never did either.
I know this is a scary thing to go through but coming here was a good idea. Alot of people on here are knowledgable and it is nice to know were are not alone!! I wish you much luck.

There is an LLMD in Maryland that is taking new patients that accepts certain insurance plans. I'll send you a PM with more info :)

I live in MD and my LLMD takes some ins but not mine. I submit to my ins directly and they reimburse me at the out of network rate. It depends on your ins.

My family doctors have been very helpful in treatment. Was fortunate in that. And lots of self help.

A well informed family practitioner that is qualified to treat LD will take insurance.

My primary doc was also an infectious disease specialist at a well known Baltimore hospital. After a course of amox and doxy he told me I had 'lyme induced depression' and 'no active disease' and prescribed an antidepressant. I did find a LLMD in Germantown MD who is accepting my insurance and so far has been excellent, I'm convinced he will cure my lyme eventually. (I don't plan on returning to my primary doc).
Thanks for the input everyone.

Unfortunately, all health insurance is not created equal. The difference between what one company pays vs. another can be dramatic.

Unfortunately, because of all the controversy surrounding the treatment of Lyme disease, most LLMDs have stopped accepting insurance as it is far too difficult for them to get reimbursed.

Although I am in Maryland, I went to see an LLMD in New York City. I had to submit proof of payment and the standard claim form to my insurance company to obtain any reimbursement.

One positive thing is that insurance companies accept a standard claim form (Form 1500). You can obtain a copy of the form at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/OWCP-1500.pdf in PDF format. Using Adobe Reader, you can actually fill the form out, save it to your computer, and print it. The address to which you mail the form should be on your insurance card with some indication that it is the address for Providers to submit claims.

Don't hold out hope, however, that you will receive anything near the amount you paid for the visit. My bill was over $700, but the insurance company only reimbursed me at the rate they would pay any out of network physician which was less than $200.

In dealing with labs you will learn that some will submit your bill directly to the insurance and await reimbursement before charging you the difference, other will charge you up forn are still willing to submit the necessary form and invoice to your insurance company, and others simply expect you to handle work.

Whatever you do, contact the billing office of the lab as quickly as possible to see what help they are willing to give you in dealing with insurance. In talking to them, make absolutely sure that the rate they are trying to charge you is the same as the rate they would charge the insurance company directly as the insurance company oftens negotiates much lower rates.

If the lab expects you to pay the bill and handle the paperwork yourself, follow the same procedure I outlined above for physician visits. Submit your bill along with a Form 1500 to your insurance company. Make sure that the bill you submit provides an itemized list of all of the tests performed. Your claim will be denied automatically if you send a bill that only shows the total amount paid.

Unfortunately, some tests, such as those performed by Igenex, are not considered legitimate laboratory tests by most if not all insurance companies. No matter what, however, still submit claims for all of the tests performed as you might just be one of the lucky ones who is covered.

The bottom line is that you have to fight for every dollar. Don't wait for anyone else to spring to your aid or offer to help. I know it can be incredibly frustrating and time consuming; however, its your money that your taking. If you're like me, every one those dollars count.

I hope this helps!
Dave J

I found a LLMD in Montgomery county MD. Take all Insurance, or a lot i.e medicare, united etc.... But not just Lyme, he is an expert on all the diseases that are Tick borne. I will be happy to share if anyone need this info. I also Started seeing a nutritionist, who specializes in foreign, and natural herbs. Herbal treatment for Lyme Disease: Raw Garlic, Cayenne, Ginger, and Turmeric. I Highly recommend Altoids to be in reach at all time after starting this :) Someone showed me a great site with a lot of info. I will include some links that take you to a site with more infor than you may want on this Evil disease. Good Luck.
Michael


http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_8.html

http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_1.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_2.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_3.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_4.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_5.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_6.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_7.html
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_videos_8.html

I found a doctor in southern PA who takes my insurance, but I have to change my primary care to his office. It's just a lot of legwork to find someone who will take your insurance, but it seems to be worth it.

As far as herbs and natural remedies, My LLMD has said that they've been proven to HELP, but not to TREAT... just be careful!

I don't really have any advice, other than to agree with the advice of others. There are reasons as to why your symptoms got worse on the medications. Herxing is one reason.

I didn't get any money back from my initial visit to an LLMD and have gotten none back for all the other visits. But what my policy covers may well be different from what yours covers. I have an in network deductible and an out of network deductible, and then there's the issue of covered and non-covered expenses. It's can all be very confusing.

I would love to know of participating LLMD's in MD or nearby, as I live in Maryland too.

My current doctor is relatively inexpensive, compared to my former doctor. He charges $140/ half hour appointment, and does not accept insurance. I'm certain that it has to do with guarding himself from those who go after LLMDs. My doctor is published on the topic, and pretty well known in Lyme circles. He's quite good, but I'd love to have information on other doctors nearby who accept insurance. Please PM me if you have information. Thanks!

I go to an integrative dr in D.C. He is expensive (300 an appt) and he does not take insurance, but our insurance SAYS they will cover up to 50% after we meet our out of network deductible which is 500. I am thinking of changing drs. I am in VA but there don't really seem to be any good experienced drs here who are taking patients, or they are farther away from me than MD. Anyway for now I am not sorry I have this dr as he even taught at the ILADS conference last October, which gives me a lot of confidence that he is good and knows his stuff.

jwillover. There is a great LLMD (Dr "j"") who just moved to DC. He is the well spoken Doctor in Under our skin who was in NC then was chased out and moved to SC and now has moved to DC. I hve made great progress with him.

JulieGH. I've heard about this doctor and he does have an excellent reputation. My doctor (also featured in Under Our Skin) consults with him and did so for me at one point over using natural methods for fighting these TBD. I did look at his web site at one time and he doesn't accept insurance and is more expensive than my current doctor, far and away, but was totally up front about his fees, which I appreciated. I'm not sure if his fee schedule is as it was when he was in SC. His new site doesn't show fees.

I have an out of network deductible and an out of network out of pocket, and by the time I meet both of those, I see no money back for my expenses. They're both quite high.