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Offline buddy

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Local chiropractors?
« on: December 22, 2009, 11:43:07 AM »
I usually go to Annette Donnelly on 78th Street bet. 37th and 35th Ave.  She's really nice and she is good but she only works part time and no Saturdays.  So I'm looking for a back up (pun intended) chiropractor.  Any suggestions?

I have an appointment this afternoon with Evan Appel on 87th and 37th.  First time going to him.  I found him online so hope he's good.  Not looking for anyone outside of the neighborhood ... I know of others in Astoria or the City ... but want to walk to the office not drive or heaven forbid TAKE A TRAIN!!!  ugh.   (I know how that will stir the pot! HA)
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Offline Aronan

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 12:37:21 PM »
I went to Andrew Adlerstein on 73rd and 35th Ave. Nice guy, and what he did worked for me. His staff is also very nice.
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Offline buddy

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 02:57:38 PM »
Aronan, Dr. Adlerstein is another one I phoned but Appel got back to me first AND had time open today so I went to him. 

He had a very small office he shares with his sister who is a podiatrist.  Their father was a podiatrist on 37th Ave. for the past 50 years and now the office is chiro and podiatry.

A good, thorough adjustment.  Began with electric stim under a heat pack, then sonogram (never understood how it works because you don't feel a sonogram working but I'm a sucker for "bells and whistles".)  Then Dr. Appel adjusted all the usual places: back, neck and hips AND then adjusted every other joint - head to toe.  He did shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands fingers -- you get the picture.  I've only had one other chiropractor who did feet or arms depending on what your complaint was so I was pleasantly surprised by it all.

I feel better.  I have no idea what he charged because I have insurance and the claim is being put thru.  I just paid a co-pay.  Cool.

Aronan, I may still try Adlerstein another time just to have more than one since most doctors work out of more than one office and aren't always available when I have a small window of opportunity.  Thanks for the recommendation.
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Offline TBM

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2009, 10:18:44 PM »
              I was looking for a local chiropractor and found Evan Appel through the provider directory.  When questioned about being in-network, he lied and said that he was.  I had a thorough adjustment which lasted about 45 minutes for which he filed a claim with BC/BS for over $1300!  It included several therapies, charges for 3 office visits and a $500 stim machine and BioFreeze gel  that I never received.  When BC/BS denied the majority of his claim, he submitted a handwritten envelope Demanding payment for the balance.  The day after he mailed that envelope, he filed a claim in small claims court.  Mind you this was all within a month of my one and only visit. I've been using chiropractors for over 20 years and the claim for a visit had never exceeded $150.  My wife also went to him for an adjustment a few days prior to mine, and he followed the same scam with her.  We both went to small claims court only to meet another one of his patients who was also being sued.  We decided to have the case settled through arbitration and still ended up paying almost $500 because the arbitrator didn't understand that the stim machine and other services were never delivered.  All in all, he managed to scam BC/BS and us for over $1000 for 2 office visits.

Find another chiropractor and expect to see a handwritten extortion letter Appel, and a summons from civil court.  With con artists like Appel, it's no wonder that insurance companies are denying claims from legitimate chiropractors. 
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Offline Jeffsayyes

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2009, 05:48:11 PM »
I went to deborah turner in elmhurst 8402 51st Avenue - a block west of bway right off of corona ave.
she was very nice and intelligent and a great communicator and positive person. strong too and in control. if my company would pay for it, i would go back. i think they arent open on thursdays.
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Offline TBM

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2009, 07:31:02 PM »
Thanks for the recommendation.  I'll check if she's in my plan and go from there.  For now, I'm trekking out to Syosset, LI whenever I need an adjustment.  My chiropractor said he'd do house calls about once a week as he passes through the area.  A portable table could work, but I can't see him hauling a stim machine and hydrocolator.
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2009, 07:54:37 PM »
I know this thread is about chiropractors, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about back pain - if that's what it is that people are dealing with.

My two recommendations are:

1. Feldenkrais - which is not well known, but I have found to be amazing for pain relief (not just back pain).   You can go to a practitioner who will do a hands-on technique, or you can go to classes.  There's a great place in midtown where the classes are only $9.

http://www.physicaltherapynyc.com/feldenkrais/about.htm


2. An amazing and super-easy yoga dvd for back pain.  This one is good even for yoga-phobes.
http://www.amazon.com/Viniyoga-Therapy-Back-Sacrum-Kraftsow/dp/B000U0C9UE
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Offline buddy

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2009, 05:24:45 PM »
Quote from: TBM on December 26, 2009, 10:18:44 PM
.... I had a thorough adjustment which lasted about 45 minutes for which he filed a claim with BC/BS for over $1300!  It included several therapies, charges for 3 office visits and a $500 stim machine and BioFreeze gel  that I never received. ....           

Find another chiropractor and expect to see a handwritten extortion letter Appel, and a summons from civil court.  With con artists like Appel, it's no wonder that insurance companies are denying claims from legitimate chiropractors. 

Thanks. I'm calling him and BC/BS tomorrow and nipping this before it gets out of hand.  I will say that he did ASK me if I wanted an elec. stim machine and I said YES.  A friend of mine has one and I thought it would be great to have my own.  But if he tries to bilk BC/BS for all the rest, then I could understand why they would say no.

It's a shame because it was a terrific adjustment but I think there are other chiropractors who do good work without over billing.  And I have had chiros bill insurance for $250 because of massage etc.  And they took whatever the insurance company paid them without then billing me.  $1300.... I WOULD SH*T A BRICK!  wow.
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Offline buddy

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2009, 10:47:11 AM »
Quote from: Shelby2 on December 27, 2009, 07:54:37 PM
I know this thread is about chiropractors, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about back pain - if that's what it is that people are dealing with.

My two recommendations are:

1. Feldenkrais - which is not well known, but I have found to be amazing for pain relief (not just back pain).   You can go to a practitioner who will do a hands-on technique, or you can go to classes.  There's a great place in midtown where the classes are only $9.
http://www.physicaltherapynyc.com/feldenkrais/about.htm

2. An amazing and super-easy yoga dvd for back pain.  This one is good even for yoga-phobes.
http://www.amazon.com/Viniyoga-Therapy-Back-Sacrum-Kraftsow/dp/B000U0C9UE

Thanks Shelby.   I'll look at that yoga video.  I don't know much about Feldenkrais but I've gone to someone who does rolfing AND is a licensed acupuncturist.  Very good!!!   I may just go back for some Rolfing next time I'm off.

PS to TBM:  I spoke to a rep at BC/BS and went over the bills submitted.  They were accurate based on the services he performed (elec. stim./heat/manipulation) and he put in for the things I said interested me like the TENS machine.  BC/BS explained how they pay and just what I would be responsible for: basically an 80/20 split.  BC/BS said anyone in network could charge what ever they wanted.  BC/BS then pays their pre-arranged payment.  THAT payment and NOT the original bill is what I would owe 20% on.  So I'm curious to see what happens next.  But the bills submitted were okay.
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Offline buddy

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Re: Local chiropractors?
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2010, 08:20:37 AM »
So in the last week, I've gone back to Evan Appel and also to Annette Donnelly who is back from vacation.

TBM, you would probably like Annette because she does muscle work: stretching, rotating, kinesiogly etc.  She doesn't have elec. stim or use heat packs though.  But she takes her time to loosen you up before adjusting.  She's very good.  Located on 78th bet. 37th and 35th Aves.

Appel gave me another really good adjustment, also.  (I like both their adjustments: diff. styles.)  I've already gotten my paperwork from BC/BS and he is in network so everything was fine.  I just paid my co-pay again.

I'm happy with them both.  They work a bit differently and are available on different days.  I didn't really get into anything with Appel because in situations like this it becomes "he said, she said" so there's no point.

I do think Annette is definitely more what I prefer personality wise and she takes cash or check and she's NOT EXPENSIVE at all.  Check her out.
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