Guest guest Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I don't comment a lot because I haven't done much yet (still trying to learn more about what to do). But I saw this post on another list and thought it may be of interest. Can't speak to the content, but thought I would pass it along. >>In the winter issue of Spectrum Magazine there is a letter to the editor. Here is the text of the letter: To the Editor: I found your last edition covering " biomedical intervention " very interesting. I have a son who has autism and biomedical intervention has been an issue of interest to many parents. As a " desperate " mother who will try anything to " cure " autism, I had taken my son to CARE Clinic's outreach clinic at the end of May 2008 when they did a workshop in Tampa. When I inquired in advance, the representative said that the cost of the blood test would be free (covered) if I had PPO insurance. She said it would cost $2,000 if I use BlueCross, however, it will be free if I had Aetna PPO. At that time, I had Aetna HMO so I quickly changed it to PPO so that my son's blood test would be covered and cost me nothing. To make a long story short – I had no clue how much CARE Clinics charged for the blood test until I looked at my claim activity in September – lines and lines of claims, totaling $82,000. I almost fell from my chair. By the time I knew that, Aetna already had paid $63,000 out of that invoice. Quickly I called CARE's founder, Kazuko. What she explained to me was that they bill Aetna (and other insurers) so that treatments they are planning to do (which are not covered) are paid. There were days of services where I never even went there. I reported that to Aetna after I consulted with an attorney. I am just fed up with people who try to take advantage of desperate parents. Yes, if parents want to try chelation or oxygen therapy, that decision is made by the parents. Hopefully it will cure autism, but I do not want to be part of this crime. $63,000 should cover how many chelation treatments? How many oxygen chamber hours? Now I know why our insurance premiums go up every year, because of practitioners like CARE Clinics who get millions of dollars. $63,000 for a blood test is a pretty expensive lesson to learn. The money may not have come out of my pocket, but indirectly it did. Part of that money probably went to the aggressive advertising campaign in your magazine. I am tired of doctors and people who are taking advantage of us. I am really sick and tired of that. Kimiko Inoue >> > > > > Hello all. I have been taking my 5 1/2 yr old son (HFA) to Dr. > > Caldwell in Conroe for biomedical intervention for about a year. He > > has made strides, but is on a lot of supplements. I'm considering > > taking him to Thoughtful House for another opinion. I know many of you > > have gone there and I'd like any input/opinion you'd care to share. > > Thanks! > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I feel a desire to share my thoughts on this alleged issue at Care Clinics regarding insurance. I believe that everything has two sides and that it's important to investigate issues such as this before making judgement. Having gone through autism I have learned that I don't appreciate people judging me or my son at first glance. Much of what I do is judged and misunderstood. Only my true close friends who have an accurate account of what I've been through have the facts. So when it comes to Care Clinics or any other situation I think it important to not jump to conclusions based off of an internet post. We've been to Care Clinics and I believe the intentions and quality of care to be exactly what our kids need. My first instinct when I read these posts floating around the web was that it will certainly take time to work through insurance issues and autism treatment. This will be a process and I'm not one to judge the complexity of this situation based off of a few posts floating around. I'm most disheartened when I see divide within our community. Let's remember that we all have the same desires for our children. I'm sure if we investigated insurance coverage for cancer clinics a few decades ago, there was also a transistion process. Stay open friends, and let's stand united so that our kids get what they need. We're an injured community. Wow lots of anger out there. Our kids cannot get well with anger in our hearts. > > > > > > Hello all. I have been taking my 5 1/2 yr old son (HFA) to Dr. > > > Caldwell in Conroe for biomedical intervention for about a year. > He > > > has made strides, but is on a lot of supplements. I'm considering > > > taking him to Thoughtful House for another opinion. I know many > of you > > > have gone there and I'd like any input/opinion you'd care to > share. > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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