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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
        
(Message started by: danm on Apr 5^th, 2006, 2:26pm)

Title: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by danm on Apr 5^th, 2006, 2:26pm

Does anyone on this board have any experience with this neurologist? A relative of mine forwarded me his information. So I looked him up on the net and found that he was head of the Headache Institute and also the only American to complete a fellowship on headaches - whatever that means?

Anyway, I made an appointment with him for May 8th. The cost is $450 and he does not accept ANY insurance.

I know there is no magic pill that is going to cure CH, but my view is that I will try anything/anybody once. I have seen other neuros in my area and they all seem the same. Usually I am telling them what I have done and what I want to try next - most of my info coming from this board or somewhere on the Internet.

In the meantime, my CH seems like it's on it's way out for now....thanks to Verapamil (360mg). Wondering if I should cancel the appt.

Has anyone else seen this doctor? What was your experience?

Thanks.

Dan M.

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 5^th, 2006, 2:56pm

WHY doesn't he accept any insurance? I'd check him out a little more. That would be a red flag right up front.

Is this HIS headache institute? Or is an established one? Check that out also.

Frankly it's a crap shoot with neuros at best.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Gator on Apr 5^th, 2006, 3:48pm

If you have a neuro that will listen and work with you on treatments, you already have better than a lot of clusterheads.

I don't know of this doctor, but has been on the list of sufferer recommended doctors for a long time. If you decide to go ahead with the visit, let us know how it goes.

http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/doctors.htm

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by NotH20 on Apr 5^th, 2006, 3:51pm

Dan,

There used to be a link either on this board or the OUCH site that had doctor recommendations from us ch'ers....but I don't seem to be able to find it right now. Can anyone help Dan out with this?

I'm with Barbara regarding him not accepting insurance...sounds a little weird to me. Maybe he just doesn't accept your insurance and not in a providing network for your company [smiley=huh.gif]

Good luck and here's hoping that you get some relief,
Mia

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by NotH20 on Apr 5^th, 2006, 3:52pm

Oops - looks like Gator is one step ahead of me :D

Mia

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 5^th, 2006, 4:39pm

Just a quick FYI. A lot of "the best" docs in the NY/NJ metro area won't accept insurance because they don't need to. Why accept reduced rates when there's enough demand to support their biz? Insurance companies, and especially laws re: liability thus related malpractice insurance costs have forced many practitioners either out of business or into new co-op arrangements (at least around here) over the past decade.

Not accepting insurance (around here) typically applies to office visits, not surgeries (like for practicing heart surgeons). And $450 is a very typical cost for a visit to a top doc in NYC.

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by E-Double on Apr 5^th, 2006, 5:29pm

He's a top notch doctor that knows CH!

If you are that close to NY (noticed you're in Joyzee)
You might even try NECH in Stamford CT.
THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!
They do take a few insurances

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 6^th, 2006, 10:56am

Glad somebody knows him.

I forgot to include in my FYI that around here appointment scheduling is the red flag. If a Doc doesn't accept insurance but can get you an appointment within a day or two right away, that's the red flag. Appt. waits are usually around a month or more, and you then just have to hope for a cancellation to come up in order to get in there earlier.

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Lizzie2 on Apr 6^th, 2006, 7:51pm

He's also a member of the American Headache Society - that's always another good bonus! :) I don't know him personally or anything, but I just thought I'd add that.

I know of some offices that don't take insurance, but it doesn't necessarily mean insurance won't pay. Sometimes it means that you'd have to pay up front and submit the receipts to the insurance company for reimbursement. Depends on what they truly mean and also how your individual insurance company works.

Where are you in NJ? There are also good CH docs in Moorestown, NJ and Philly - I've been to neurologists in both those locations personally and am happy to recommend!

Best of luck!
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Gator on Apr 6^th, 2006, 8:45pm

on 04/06/06 at 19:51:11, Lizzie2 wrote:

There are also good CH docs in Moorestown, NJ and Philly - I've been to neurologists in both those locations personally and am happy to recommend!

Are they already on the sufferer recommended list? If not, let know who and where they are so I can add them.

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by Lizzie2 on Apr 6^th, 2006, 10:15pm

on 04/06/06 at 20:45:40, Gator wrote:

Are they already on the sufferer recommended list? If not, let know who and where they are so I can add them.

Just sent you a PM with the details. As you know, I go to Jefferson - so you do have 2 doctors there listed already, but the PM I sent you has a lot more details and names to recommend! :)

Carrie :)

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by ddj on Apr 8^th, 2006, 8:56pm

Dan,

I have read a article about Dr. Newman before, mentioned that he is one of the cluster head sufferer himself. Please read the article here:

http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/health/bestdoctors/features/6102/index1.html

I am also a NYC cluster head, and currently seeing another Dr. in Manhattan. Can you please post a follow up after you visit Dr. Newman? I would like to know the result. Thanks for sharing!!

Title: Re: Dr. Lawrence Newman - NYC
Post by danm on Apr 17^th, 2006, 9:03am

Thanks for all of your replies. I have to wait almost 2 months to get an appointment and he DOES NOT accept any insurance. This is not someone that is a scam or anything. After further review/research, apparently this doc has some credentials with headaches.

You must pay upfront - and then I can submit to Cigna. I'm sure they will only cover a small portion but that is the least of my worries. I am hoping to just get some relief.

I have an appointment on May 8th and will post a follow-up soon after.

Thanks again.