I either have Meniere’s or MAV.
I am having trouble finding a doc to give help me with a diagnosis.
I have heard Dr. Hain does phone consults. Would anyone recommend him?
TIA
Andrea
I think many here would recommend him - I would. I did a phone consult with him last week after seeing two other Drs closer to home. I sent him all of my reports and for me it was really a second opinion and refining a treatment plan.
When they told me it would be $350 upfront for the first phone consult I became a little leery. Most reputable physicians will a least bill through insurance. The woman on the phone did not sound professional and I just got an over all first impression of a money racket. Again, my personal first opinion. Obviously a doctor needs to earn an income but when patients are desperate they become easy prey. I am desperate and need some real advise. Thus, why I felt lead to inquire here.
ttfn
Andrea
Andrea,
I am under the care of Dr. Hain. He is the only doctor who has helped me. I did a phone consultation first back in December. I then, went to see him In January for an exam. I would recommend him. He is very nice. My physical therapist recommended him. She actually studied under a pt in his office. I would definitely go for it. He is very nice and knows his stuff! Good luck.
- Nance
Andrea, I too was a little surprised by the fee amount. I think if you go in person, they can submit it to your insurance company but over the phone the insurance company will not pay. Ben
Hi Andrea,
Hain is one of the best out there. I live in Australia so understand you’re mouth hitting the floor at $350 for a consult. I personally can never understand why US doctors charge so much money like that. I could see $150 but $350? It’s insane but that’s the US medical system for you. Here in Sydney it costs about $140 to see Prof Halmagyi and the med system reimburses about $80 of it. I just don’t know how Americans that are really strapped for cash can ever afford to get proper treatment. Hope Obama changes things for you guys over there.
Scott 8)
— Begin quote from “scott”
Hi Andrea,
Hain is one of the best out there. I live in Australia so understand you’re mouth hitting the floor at $350 for a consult. I personally can never understand why US doctors charge so much money like that. I could see $150 but $350? It’s insane but that’s the US medical system for you. Here in Sydney it costs about $140 to see Prof Halmagyi and the med system reimburses about $80 of it. I just don’t know how Americans that are really strapped for cash can ever afford to get proper treatment. Hope Obama changes things for you guys over there.
Scott 8)
— End quote
Over here in Sweden a doctors visit costs about 140 SEK = $17 USD or $25.5 AUD. 
Then again, the help is poor for rare diseases…
I guess the docs need some $$$$$$ in order to care
— Begin quote from “9kidsus”
I either have Meniere’s or MAV.
I am having trouble finding a doc to give help me with a diagnosis.
I have heard Dr. Hain does phone consults. Would anyone recommend him?
TIA
Andrea
— End quote
I would highly recommend that you get the book “Heal Your Headache” and read it and try the things that are recommended in the book.
It has helped me as much as anything I have done over the last 9 months and it gives a lot of information on triggers and the things that will help . Plus it talks about the different medications that are out there to help treat this if the intial things that are recommended do not work. You have to be disciplined in following the advice given in the book as far as diet and life style changes. It takes a little time but it is worth trying IMO.
I think most people here would agree that getting plenty of rest, reducing triggers and reducing stress are very important .
Done! Just ordered it 2 day shipping on Amazon!
Thanks for the tip.
Andrea
It is not uncommon for an initial consultation to cost that much, especially for a well-known doctor such as Hain. He has a good reputation on this board, so I wouldn’t feel worried that he is ripping you off (although I do find it odd that the receptionist didn’t inquire about your health insurance.) When I first saw my neuro-doc, his fee was high too, but thankfully my health insurance covered nearly all of it. Now when I see him for an appt. the cost is less, so I suspect initial consultation are just traditionally more expensive because more time is put into trying to diagnose you/begin a treatment.
Its very rare to find an insurance company who will cover a “phone consult”, I believe thats why Hain’s office is “cash only” for them. Totally different if you were to be seen in his office.
— Begin quote from “9kidsus”
When they told me it would be $350 upfront for the first phone consult I became a little leery.
— End quote
If you want to see a money racket, you should see what a “migraine specialist” charges in Pittsburgh. 700 bucks.
And he’ll even give you a bogus diagnosis for that 700.
350 is cheap to me. Did they tell you how much time you get with him on the phone?
Heather
— Begin quote from “Heather”
— Begin quote from “9kidsus”
When they told me it would be $350 upfront for the first phone consult I became a little leery.
— End quote
If you want to see a money racket, you should see what a “migraine specialist” charges in Pittsburgh. 700 bucks.
And he’ll even give you a bogus diagnosis for that 700.
350 is cheap to me. Did they tell you how much time you get with him on the phone?
Heather
— End quote
Heather - would be curious to know more about this, as I live in the area.
The thing to remember in all of this is - do your research. University medical centers are most reputable and have good doctors, even if they may charge high amounts. Check any “specialists” credentials. See if he/she has done any research that you can read. Find out on this board which doctors people have seen and their experiences. Get referrals through your health provider.
The $350 is for 1 hr. The first 10 he will read your chart then the last 50 min is on the phone. As per outlined on his web-site as I have not actually experienced my appt. yet.
Andrea
700 bucks
There’s something seriously wrong with a system that charges that kind of money to seek treatment for migraine. Unbelievable.
S
— Begin quote from “scott”
700 bucks
There’s something seriously wrong with a system that charges that kind of money to seek treatment for migraine. Unbelievable.
S
— End quote
Guess I am lucky to have insurance that has covered 95% of mine!
— Begin quote from “9kidsus”
The thing to remember in all of this is - do your research. University medical centers are most reputable and have good doctors, even if they may charge high amounts. Check any “specialists” credentials. See if he/she has done any research that you can read. Find out on this board which doctors people have seen and their experiences. Get referrals through your health provider.
— End quote
UPMC is where the “specialist” is. I beg to differ that university medical centers are “most reputable.”
Some of the most incompetent doctors I have ever met are at university medical centers.
I have never found any that equal the quality of my Doctors at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale. No one has even come close.
I wish I was back in Scottsdale, that’s for sure.
Heather
— Begin quote from “scott”
700 bucks
There’s something seriously wrong with a system that charges that kind of money to seek treatment for migraine. Unbelievable.
— End quote
And for 700 bucks he’ll tell you to simply take magnesium.
As if people don’t already know magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system . . . .
Nothing like paying a goofball to tell you what you already know, but does nothing to solve the problem.
Heather
How much magnesium/day is recommended for migraines?