Question:
My Dr.(Rabkin) charges an addl $3,000 + medical fees. Is this normal?

We cannot afford $3,000 and I had thought my insurance was going to cover everything(except for co-pays). The Dr.'s assistant said that these fees are for "program expenses, future research, etc". Does anyone have any suggestions if we cannot pay. This is the only Dr. my medical group will refer me to.    — Deborah J. (posted on March 8, 2000)

March 8, 2000
DEBBIE-I SEE DR DRAKIN IN APRIL-I'M AWARE OF THE $3000-BUT LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECH'S IT FOR-I DID ASK HIS ASSISTANCE FOR A BREAKDOWN OF THE FEE-SHE WAS UNABLE TO GIVE-WHY-THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S FOR! BUT DR RABKIN IN "ONE" OF THE BEST FOR THE BPD/DS-ANOTHER ONE OF EQUAL IS DR ANTHRON AT USC (WHO I HAVE MADE AN APPT FOR IN JUNE) HE DOES NOT HAVE A 'UNEXPLANABLE" FEE! I CAN AFFORD THE $3000-BUT IT TICKS ME OFF THAT THIS "BUSINESS" OF HEALTH CARE IS WHAT IT IS A "BUSINESS"-DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR AT-BUT I HAVE A 2 BEDROOM APT AND YOUA ND YOUR'S ARE WELCOME TO STAY IF YA WANT TO COME TO L.A TO CONSULT WITH DR ANTHRONE. ([email protected]) BEST OF LUCK!
   — TJ J.

September 18, 2000
I am very suspicious of a Dr. who charges extra fees but cannot explain what they are for. I would want an itemized list if I were having work done on my home or car, I do not think it is too much to ask for one for my body. Furthermore, there are far too many excellent doctors who do not charge a bunch of strange fees. My Dr. (McConnell - Oregon) was more than happy to give me an itemized list of every penny that I was expected to pay.
   — Cara S.