This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Given the enormity of his contribution to the current state of CCSVI research which could turn out to be a major breakthrough in a devastating disease, I think how much he makes is irrelevant.

I'm pretty sure when he and his staff walk into the OR each day, they're thinking about being involved in something that may define their careers, if not their lives. I doubt they're thinking about their paycheck.

Rokkit

robbie wrote:Hi cheer how much roughly do you think Dr Dake would make money wise on each plugged jugular he fixes? I know he is only doing this for the advancement of medicine but I was just wondering

Hey Robbie...
Dr. Dake has put his successful cardiac surgery/research/publication career ON HOLD because he heard the pain in a stranger's voice, read some research she suggested, and took on the risks of a trial procedure.

He is not making nearly what he could have just ignoring me, and continuing on with his very comfortable life as the go-to cardiac endovascular surgeon in the US. Any money he makes, he deserves. He is an artist, a scholar, a caring human being and one in a million. Let's just say he didn't become a doctor for the money....
cheer

Sounds like an amazing guy you all are lucky to have him.

He really is. I turned around in his office and there were folders labeled RA and ALS. I think he is becoming interested in the etiology of all these diseases and wants to help. He is like a kid when he sees something new. He gets all excited and it's hard to describe his enthusiasm. You would think that it would not inspire confidence to hear a doctor who is treating you say "I just don't know" so many times. But it's a breath of fresh air because the mark of a wise man is not knowing everything, it's knowing that he doesn't. In my experience with Dr.s he is truly one of a kind. Angela told me that he put everything on hold until God knows when so he can pursue this. He is seeing nothing but MS patients for now. And all over the hospital when you get your labs and ultrasound you can tell people think he is Einstein. In my opinion, he isn't in this for any glory at all. And he IS the energizer bunny, you could power an office with his energy. When he called my extra valve a "thing of beauty", I could tell he just loves finding new stuff. He was like a kid at a dinosaur museum. I'll never forget him that's for sure.

I hear you curIous, the insurance companies should be like those in some of the European countries where making a profit is not legal. If the aim is to make a profit, they will do their best to cheat and deny you.

Greed is Good....pharma, insurance you name it

CureIous -

I lived in Northerd Illinois and I had worked for both Baxter and Abbott at onne time.

I believe insurance co's are for profit ...they will charge w/ what they can get. HMO vs PPO you pay for what ya get and i am one of those poor boys/gals...insurance here is for profit how much profit do they need to have? again greed is good

P.S. This is capitalism at its worst. Expand, make more money...profit at any expense.

Capitalism at its best will not be greedy but still make a profit.

I have to agree with Peekaboo. we have to find a way to keep the health care top notch while not making profits...let the profits go to keeping the staff paid, trained and working with the best equipment and knowledge. I have been with US healthcare, UK healthcare and French healthcare...my experience is the US has better looking hospitals, better paid staff generally. (Forgot to add: BUT it can bankrupt you!!) UK has a lot of problems, because they are losing money hand over fist...I think that it is bad organisation, and you have to wait forever for anything and then they have to have it on their list of value for money okayed stuff, but a good GP system where I lived, nurses paid badly...I never had a GP before then. French system quite good, but losing lots of money and nightmare secretaries. Also pushes meds for anything and everything. Drug reps very active like in the USA. But, easy to use. An American guy was telling me what a wreck a hospital was in St Cloud near Paris...he was about 50...he found it shocking. And yet it is the best hospital for bad car accident victims.
Okay, sorry, I have gone on, think I'll go to bed...

CureIous and WRWH,

I agree with some of your sentiments CureIous about the insurance companies. You would like to think a fair product for a fair price. I'm not against commpanies making a profit, just a fair one. One does grow weary with the jumping through the hoops with the insurance. I can think of a couple of other words that have the initials BS. Alex is to check with my insurance. I am a little concerned that it is BCBS in another state. Since I had so many things up in the air, I felt it was better to wait until September. I just need a date in order to make flight arrangements. I think we MSers are beating Dr. Dake's door down. Hope he is not overwhelmed with the onslaught. Just need to get some other docs on board. And our many thanks to Cheer for getting the ball rolling (providence - I think was the word she used and I agree) and Marie for sniffing out some of the research and to the brave souls that have indeed blazed the trail. Does anyone know the CPT code and diagnosis code Dr. Dake's office is using? If anybody does, they can PM me. My sister is a medical coder with a group of doctors and she asked me. She also mentioned if MS was the diagnosis code, I could expect my insurance to refuse payment.

My GP is aware of me checking CCSVI out and is willing to do followup. Had not approached it with my neuro. I originally had an appointment with him today , but had gotten a letter from his office recently saying I needed to reschedule because of his recent surgery. I learned on Wednesday that he had died. Which saddened me, because of the neuros I have used so far, he was my favorite even though we did not agree on MS being AI. He thought it was, I didn't.

Will be checking back with Alex next week. And yes CureIous, those of us of average means are somewhat stuck in the middle. Might be necessary for us to use one of our CD's set aside for retirement, but at least we have that. Besides, who knows what tomorrow may bring? To borrow from an old Rolaids commercial - how do MSers spell relief? Hopefully, STENTS. We shall see. Thank God for Dr. Dake and pass the ammunition I mean information. OK I know I'm corny.

Check you PM's - I sent you the codes