The consultation and work done in Switzerland cost $880CDN for three fingers and a palm. $880CDN x 2.5= $2,200CDN converted to US dollars = $1760US for 5 years worth of treatments vs $5,200US. Big difference financially by going to Europe.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to see the US doctors performing NA, but $700 is high. Even $500/finger is high

$500 x 3 fingers= $1500
3 fingers x 2.5 years=$3750
travel expenses $2500-5500 (food lodging, time off work, airfare)

It's still getting up to a minimum of $3550+2500=$6,050US add the exchange rate and for us we're looking at $7,260CDN every 5 years.

Yes...this is another reason why I advocate so vigorously.

Frances

I had NA from Dr. Eaton last January. To me the cost is quite reasonable given the surgical alternative. If you think it should cost $200 your going to get a manicurist - not a hand surgeon with all the knowledge, expertise and experience that Eaton and others have. My dentist charges $950 for a crown; it is certainly worth $700 to get back the use of my hand!

Steve

Hi Randy,

Ok I'll give, my examples were a little high, but I do think its important for all expenses to be taken into consideration, remeber us Canadians still have no coverage.

After setting down my calculator and thinking about it...I realized that NA has probably come far enough that it may be time to present it to our Canadian doctors again and plus...I'm jealous of you folks in the states who have NA...gut wrenching green-eyed jealous. *sigh*

So I spent this afternoon googling hand surgeons in Ontario who also belong to the ASSH then began compiling a presentation for our family doctor (the one who called NA hokus pokus in 2001). I've checked out our hosptials website and learned who is the head of Hand Surgery, board of directors, president. The whole shubang. I haven't got to the yellow pages yet, but I did notice that the ASSH has a lovely link on how to find a member of the ASSH in your area. It was not up and running today but maybe tomorrow.....That link might save a lot of work.

Anyways, Hubby has an appointment for a regular check-up in the begining of Feb at which time he will discuss his hands and how NA has progressed over the last 3 years... then ask the doctor if he knows anyone who will do learn it. I'm hoping that all the press about NA has softened our MD making him more amenible to listening. If that doesn't work, fine, I'll consider compiling list of surgeons in our area who are members of the ASSH then offer up my hubby's hands to them as a first patient (nice of me don't you think?!). If none of that works, I'll contact one of the private healthcare clinics in Manitoba or BC and ask them to consider it. We need a NA pioneer here in Canada to get the ball rolling and I figure it aint gonna happen without more patient proding so fine, I'll get out my pencil...the worse thing that could happen is that I/we will make fools of ourselves, and frankly to save $5,000 over 5 years....I'm willing to do that....particularly when NA is so wide spread, it is no longer obscure.

So there we have it. No more waiting. Time for action. Rah Rah and all that. Wish us luck,

Frances

I traveled to Paris in May of 2004 and had N.A. performed on four fingers by Dr Lermusiaux. It required to one half hour visits and the total cost was $150. Euro's or about $175. US dollars. I was amazed at the difference in the quote I got from Dr Eatons office of $2200. I was able to incorporate a nice vacation in Paris with my Doctor visit and still spend less money than I would have by traveling to Florida.

The American NA doctors must lower their prices if they are to have repeat customers.

.