Spectrum Magazine / CARE Clinics: Message to Readers - Cris Italia

[Guest guest]

Message

to Readers

Cris Italia

In our last issue (Winter ’09) in our readers letter section

one reader expressed concern about CARE Clinics. This section is used for

reader feedback, commentary or suggestions only. The reader’s opinion was

their own and did not represent the views of Spectrum Magazine, it’s

management or editorial staff. Spectrum magazine is in no way in agreement with

this opinion. In response to our reader’s claims, CARE Clinics has

asked to address our readership. Below is a letter written by CARE Clinics

founder Kazuko Curtin. If you have any further questions feel free to contact

Editor-In-Chief Cris Italia at citalia(@)spectrumpublications.com. For more

information on CARE Clinics visit their website at www.mycareclinics.com or

e-mail info(@)mycareclinics.com.

- Spectrum Staff

False claims in

reader's letter on “biomedical scams”.

To the

Editor:

The letter on “Biomedical Scams” from Ms. Kimiko Inoue in the most

recent edition of your Letters section makes claims that range from being

completely false to merely inaccurate. I feel I must respond, not only so that

other caring parents are not discouraged from exploring viable treatment

options for their autistic children, but also to defend my good name. I

am frustrated that a parent, who, by her own admission, was

“desperate,” would go so far as to fabricate pieces of a story, neglect

to explain how events truly unfolded, and then boldly claim she (and her

insurance company) were taken advantage of. She just finished testing for both

her son and herself but never came to CARE Clinics for the treatment.

At CARE Clinics we are careful to explain our protocol and procedures from the

beginning. As part of this, we go over the probable expenses for a particular

treatment regime, and how they could end up being different based on actual

patient evaluation and testing results. We explicitly state that the only

time we can truly know the scope of treatment required for an individual

patient is after these tests are completed. Regardless, all charges related to

any of our patients fall in the range dictated by MAG Mutual Physician’s

Fee and Coding guide 2008. This is a study of fees charged by physicians, HMOs,

insurance company fee guides, EOBs, and hospitals throughout the United States.

This is put together by industry insiders who have worked at all the

major insurance companies.

There were several elements of Ms. Inoue’s story that were false.

First, the bill for services was 1/3 of what she claimed. Also the

testing was for both her son and herself. We do over 45 tests as an initial

screening for new patients including infection panels, virus bacteria, yeast,

fungal, amino acids, minerals, immune functions, biochemistry, heavy metals,

genomic testing, oxidative stress, more and more. Incidentally, the line items

on this bill included expensive genomic testing that by itself, if done in a

hospital, would have cost more than the total of what she accused us of billing

her insurance agency in the first place! Second, there were no charges

for procedures that were not performed. Our children could have many and serious

biomedical issues so without holistic approach, recovery could be limited.

Autism is a serious disease just like other difficult ones.

Now for part of the sad, but true, untold story. Not only did we bill much less

than the writer claimed, we never charged her any co-pays, we waived the fee

for her initial consultation (which she then requested to do a second time

since she had forgotten what was initially discussed), and in the end, the

writer refused to proceed with the recommended treatment for her child! Does

that really sound like we took advantage of her? If one takes the time and

effort to listen to doctors and other care givers who just want to help your

loved one and then turns around and vilifies the same people for no reason in a

public forum, then that really is an act of “desperation.” And,

unfortunately, one that doesn’t benefit the loved one in any way.

A final word: if a parent feels the need to vent their personal frustrations

with having a child affected by autism, I would think they should instead use

those energies to focus on helping their child recover rather than finding ways

to lash out at professional organizations, like ours, that are dedicated to

helping children just like theirs. CARE Clinics bills insurance companies

properly which many clinics choose not to do. At CARE Clinics we believe that

autistic children have the right to their treatments and recovery process, and

insurance companies should accept autism treatments as they do with any other

biomedical disease.

Kazuko Grace

Curtin

Founder and CEO

of CARE Clinics

Kazuko Grace Curtin

The Founder and CEO

Austin Clinic

4201 Bee Caves Rd, B200, Austin,

TX 78746

office

Direct fax line

Tampa Clinic

12690 Telecom Drive, Tampa, FL

33637

office

fax

kazuko@...

www.mycareclinics.com

E-MAIL