Perhaps in time ".", but Eaton & Co. are up to their eyeballs in spite of the fact that NA is still available elsewhere. The problem is not what *they* charge, but travel expenses incurred by NA's continued relative scarcity. Once everyone can *drive* to and from an NA appointment, $500 - $700 is a deal compared to the alternative.

Hey Francis,

All good points. But what you didn't addressed is the fact that health care is *far* *far* more expensive in North America than Europe to begin with. The reasons aren't clear to me, but I'm sure if I waved a Red Flag about this point we could get any number of passionate opinions from our fellows as to the underlying reasons. Regardless, we aren't going to change that any time soon. So that's the *main* reason US NA is so much more than Euro NA.

I'm I free market kind of guy. "Invisible Hand" and all. (no pun intended). The more qualified NA practitioners there are, the greater the pressure for a price adjustment. NA may well fall significantly lower *IF* the free market economics within the overpriced medical establishment will suggest it.

Eaton set his price at approximately $700 per session for reasons only he knows. One might speculate, however, that in making himself and his successful practice a Ginny Pig for this procedure, he set it plenty high. And he should have. And he deserves every penny for championing our cause.

When the dust settles, hopefully NA *will* be a lot less. Right now however, I'm in favor of *ignoring* the price and focusing on education and recruiting CHS. While fervently preaching the Gospel of NA to open-minded CHS, do we at the same time want to be telling them how much to charge?

Hi Guys,

According to stats that came out this week, Paris is the fifth most expensive city to live in the world. Only Oslo, Tokyo, Oska out price them. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for making money, the surgeons who have gone over and learned NA without doubt have a right to earn the big bucks, and it's wonderful to see patients supporting the North American doctors but...NA has been here a couple of years now and it's time for many sufferers to have a second go at their hands. It would be a shame if this NA-thing were to fail because of financial restraints - people turning to surgery that they can receive locally because a second, third or fourth NA is overall financially prohibitive. *Everyone* will loose in that situation. The studies would then reflect a percentage of clients who do not return for NA leaving them open to the misinterpretation that the NA itself failed.

As for making NA less attractive to new surgeons because of lowered fees, no I don't think so...they too will be looking at a long-term client base....and besides...they know they chose not to take the risks...someone else went up to bat first then made lions share of the money...that's how life works isn't it? Earlybird gets the worm and all of that?

Frances

Hi Randy,

The laws of supply and demand are currently in force which is why the prices are so high.

The fees are reflective of the type of clientel who are showing up for NA....someone who has thier own computer, is educated enough to think about looking up DC, has money and.... the risk-taking gene to be willing enough to go against their doctor. That does not describe the majority of the population. Plus like everyone has said, NA is not rocket science and should be placed appropriately on the fee scale.

Frances

What are you talking about Randy? The french have an excellent "safety" record... virtually no tendon ruptures, virtually no infections.