Doctors in Wilington, NC

[sparklehoof]

Does anyone have a doctor in/near Wilmington, NC that they like?

 

[Dr.Patient]

Hunter Hopkins center is in Charlotte, NC.

 

[sparklehoof]

Thank you. Do you like your doctor there?

 

[RYO]

I have not been to Hunter Hopkins center but I have heard they ask for significant up front fee which may not be covered by insurance. They are one of the sites for Ampligen trials.

 

[sparklehoof]

Thanks. Yesterday my mom told me that we're moving to Wilmington, NC. I'm on Medicare and unable to work so even if I can muster the 3.5 hour drive from Wilmington to Hunter Hopkins, I may not be able to afford it. I was hoping that maybe someone would see this thread who sees a doctor in Wilmington. Thank you for passing on the info.

 

[Dr.Patient]

Thank you. Do you like your doctor there?

Yes, they are great, and affordable. You can call them to find out.

 

[sparklehoof]

Thanks, I will call tomorrow and see if they have any sliding scale fees for patients with low income.

 

[CFSinCLT]

I am actually a patient at Hunter Hopkins. They are not in network for my insurance, so I have to pay out of pocket. It is not cheap but I certainly feel like it will be worth it in the long run. I sat and talked with the doctor for longer than I have ever talked with a doctor before. I think the talking (about symptoms, life, etc..) lasted just over three hours. They ran a variety of tests and I left that day with results I had not gotten from countless other (in-network) doctors.

Having said all of that I took the results to my Primary care physician only to listen to her bad mouth Hunter Hopkins practices and question their testing methods. She has requested a copy of the test results and data but I don't expect much from her at this point anyways. I have been seeing my PCP for two years for these symptoms and she keeps insisting that all of these symptoms that started at the same time are unrelated. Of course she spent the first eight months forcing me to be treated for depression despite my insisting that I was not depressed. I am in the process of changing PCPs now.......it is sad that those of us diagnosed with CFS have to see a medical community that for the most part doesn't believe CFS is a real thing. (After two years I can however see how one might become depressed when they can't get treatment or their primary doctor to believe them)

If you have any specific questions about Hunter Hopkins feel free to reach out to me.....I would be glad to provide any answers I can for you.

 

[sparklehoof]

Thank you so much. Could you tell me how much your visits were? I probably will just need to find a PCP that accepts Medicare if I can't afford Hunter Hopkins. It's such a conundrum that so many of us are sick and have no money because we're too sick to work, but most of the ME/CFS/SEID (I don't even know what "it" is called anymore specialists don't accept insurance or for one that does- I've been on their waitlist since 2013.

If you do find a new PCP that you like- it'd be great if you could pass on the name. Thank you again.

 

[Strawberry]

I have seen neurologist Dr. Tsz-Ming Chow, he is now in Charlotte. He was certain I had neurological issues he could help, but when he moved to NC the new neurologist dismissed me.

I hope you can find someone closer if that is such a long drive.

 

[sparklehoof]

I have seen neurologist Dr. Tsz-Ming Chow, he is now in Charlotte. He was certain I had neurological issues he could help, but when he moved to NC the new neurologist dismissed me.

I hope you can find someone closer if that is such a long drive.

I'm so sorry to hear that the new neurologist was dismissive. Are you still in Seattle?

 

[Strawberry]

@sparklehoof Thank you. Yes, I am still in Seattle.

I hope you are able to find someone near your new home that can help you!

 

[sparklehoof]

Thank you.

 

[CW1]

Sparklehoof,

I also go to hunter Hopkins. I had to pay out of pocket, but then I submitted to insurance afterwards and got reimbursed for about a third of it.

Even though they don't take insurance up front, they have tons of experience dealing w insurance companies so they will give you all the forms you need

You could call and ask if they've had any patients submit to Medicare and get reimbursed

They also helped me get approved for disability (my company's policy)

 

[sparklehoof]

@CW1 thank you so much. That's encouraging!