I was scheduled to drive 3 hours to Salt Lake City to be seen by my neurologist. That was before. Then it was changed to a video chat. I thought it was a dumb idea but I was wrong. One of his Fellows went through the process. But first she said to remember three things: A zebra, a ring and a banana. Then she watched me move my hands, arms and legs. Touch the tip of my nose then touch the laptop screen, then touch my heel to my opposite shin, yada, yada, yada. After the motion tests she wanted me to count backwards every 7th number starting from 94. I didn't do that too well I think. Lastly she asked if I remembered the three items she's mentioned. Now this was a long exam, nearly an hour and a half with constant activity between me, the neuro and his Fellow. I said a zebra, a ring and a banana. She seemed amazed, nobody remembers all three she said. I told I had long practice using pneumonics. I had visualized a zebra with a ring through his nose and trying to eat a banana but having difficulty because he can't peel it with his hooves. The doc wants to add Selegiline but not until my wife is back from Massachusetts. He's worried about side effects like making poor decisions.
kevin
Written by
kaypeeoh
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Those teleconference medical appointments work pretty well. You're lucky to have a progressive hospital. I've been doing those with the VA and like them. They save everybody a lot of time and money.
I could see this working fine. when we went to my husband's motion specialist, he would sit with his laptop constantly evaluating what was going on and asking questions. He had him stand up and so forth, checking his balance and other things. I was able to add my 2 cents worth when ever i wanted to ,and he got on some good medications.This could be done remotely.
Those visits cost his insurance about $345 per visit; I wonder what is charged when done by video?
Video visits cost the same as a physical visit. After all the doct is devoting the same time to you as in her or her office. I am now temporarily covered by my insurance for video visits due to Covid-19 and this is thanks to the President Trump's tasks force. Medicare doesn't cover video visits for those who are in in urban areas and private insurance like mine mirrors Medicare coverage. Medicare was asked to cover the video visits.
I am going to miss this coverage when Covid-19 subsides and things get back to normal. Hopefully the evidence will show that the video visit is just fine and I wish that the concept becomes well accepted. I have to travel to San Francisco for a visit otherwise and I end up spending the day for a one hour visit.
The only thing I am puzzled about is the cost. Why should it cost $1000 per visit? I am not sure how much other diseases cost in terms of dollar amount but it is not affordable without insurance. Medication is another way one can go bankrupt easily. Rytary is a good example. $1500 for a one month supply.
All these medical professionals assume that we all have cell phones and other devices with cameras. I don't; I'd prefer to wait until I can go to the doctor face to face. Maybe if I had children or grandchildren to help me navigate the programs it would work, but I don't.
I understand. We drive 4 hours to Philadelphia to see my neurologist. And there is no access to any kind of PD treatment where we live. I am jealous of those parkies who seem to have good medical professionals, activities, and support groups. We have nothing.
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