Can anyone tell me the cost of Dr. Eatons services? I've understand that Dr. Badois charges approximately 180 euro ($200 or so). If Dr. Eaton is significantly higher in price, maybe flying to Paris is a better choice.

I suppose that's ONE way to look at it. If you're planning a European vacation or love France, then sure, is probably a better deal. If you're not, then calculate the total cost of your time, air fare, etc....then decide. Now that "we all" have what we've wanted for the past 5 years, let's not "blow it" by boycotting the proverbial "hand" that's feeding us for a measly few hundred bucks! Plus Dr. Eaton has actually provided everyone with the insurance code that THOSE OF US WHO WENT TO EUROPE never benefited from (not that I personally cared).

For my $ Dr. Badois is the best thing about France and I'm happy to pay him whatever his fee is. Just remember IF you fly to France you'll be sharing your hard-earned $ with others who could care less about you and only want your $.

Sean, what's the deal? Now that NA is available in the US, you go into Prevent Defense? Excuse me for an interpretative paraphrase of your last post, but you might as well have said:

"OK, so you're going the NA route. Fine. Just fine....but don't take your business to that lone pioneering American surgeon, Dr. Eaton. Take your $$$$ off these shores so you don't encourage further encroachment of traditional surgical procedures here in the U.S. Oh sure, I'd "consider" NA, but if you're actually going to DO IT, don't help create a viable choice to traditional surgery here in the U.S. Let's continue to keep it an Off Shore, Off Brand, Off The Wall, French Thing. Please don't bring it here, available to all Americans and their medical insurance. Please No!"

I've done the math. Now it's only about how many hours you want to sit in an airplane. That's it. That's all. And now suddenly you wax poetic on the "American Cost of Living" and advise those who would choose NA to fly to France? What a patriot, always looking out for the interest of Americans who suffer the outrageous fortunes of Dups!

I've listened patiently for five months as the apparent Hot Heads among us have accused you of everything from being disingenuous, to outright dishonisty, to manipulation and a pronounced pro-surgery, anti-NA, bias. I've gone back and fourth as I consider the veracity of their claims. I've tried to see you as an independent contributor with no hidden pro-surgery agenda.

But Sean, now you've done it. You've advised an American who chooses NA to consider getting on a fourteen hour flight to Paris to save a ? Please.....give me a break. What are we to think? Don't give us your usual "I'm not against NA" speech. For God sake man, you'd fly our friend Steven to France for the same procedure he can get here in the states?????

Leaving the "Freedom Fries" aspect out of the discussion, it comes down to whether one's insurance will pay for U.S. treatment. The game as played here seems to be that the provider submits a large bill knowing that insurance companies will routinely allow some fraction of it - then they meet in the middle somewhere and the patient is not billed. This is called "accepting assignment" and normally happens if the surgeon has entered into a "provider" agreement with the insurance company. If he has not, then it is up to him to accept what the patient's insurance company offers, or bill the patient for the balance.

Many health care providers routinely accept assignment for Medicare patients, but if you aren't on Medicare yet things get more complicated.

Charlie,

Are you having just one finger worked on?

Yes, flying from California to Paris would be a brutal experience.

I think it is absolutely terrific that Dr. Eaton has made the effort to bring this technique to the U.S. I'm disappointed that it's initially so expensive, but I expect that as more surgeons pick it up, and insurance companies learn about it, things will improve.