Hi All,
I was interested in switching my two boys to a Homefirst pediatrician because I no longer plan to vaccinate and would like a more progressive doctor who's open to natural alternatives. However, they don't take my insurance (I'm with Humana HMO). Upon calling them, I've discovered it costs $200.00 per child for thier first visit and $90-150.00 per visit after that- just for the visit let alone any tests or anything else that needs to be done. OUCH!! I've made an appointment and plan to go however, I just thought I'd post here to see if anyone happens to have the same insurance and has a doctor they reccomend who might be similar to these guys with a more natural approach to wellness?
Thanks!!
A.
Hi All! You are all SO wonderful- thank you thank you thank you!! After checking out every doctor recommended by all of you, it turns out there is ONE who DOES take my insurance! Dr Minkus... and so far, I am already impressed just calling their office- his staff are awesome! I've already switched my PCP to him and have an appointment for both of my sons lined up. This SOOOO made my day because I'd been to Dr Sear's site months ago and all over looking for doctors like this who would take my insurance. I was about to spend hundreds out of my pocket just to have a decent doctor... ahhhh, I'm just SO happy. And, I was willing to drive to Iowa if I had to, so Skokie isn't so bad (-;
Thank you again! SOO much!!
A.
PS: One of you asked why I'd decided to go no-vac. My 5 year old is about to start kindergarten this fall and I started freaking out about stories I'd heard about vaccinations (I have three personal acquaintances with children they claim were harmed by vacs, one who's son came down with autism 2 days after his 5 year old/pre-K shots) so, I bought six books on the subject (made sure they were a mixture of pro/con/neutral), read a slew of other professional documentation/statistics and ultimately made the decision vacs were not for me at this time. It's a tough decision and it's possible if I see the right doctor, I may get one or two of the most important ones. However, I won't do that until I know I'm talking to someone who's not taking a blind eye to the risks.
So glad you asked this questions....I had the same one! We've decided not to vaccinateas well and while our pediatrician (Wheaton Pediatrics) is okay with us making that decision, they definitely have a different philosophy on healthcare than I do. I've been wondering how to find a "Homefirst" type pediatrician, too. Thanks for asking the question and letting me peek at the responses!
I read on another board (mothering.com) that Dr Minkus is not currently taking new patients. You may want to call and see, though.
My pediatrician had recommended
Minkus, Robert, MD
Address: 9977 Woods Dr 2nd Fl
Skokie, IL 60077
due to our no vax stance. He didn't accept our ins at the time (Blue Cross HMO)so we stayed with our current/original ped & we just deal with each other.
I don't know how close (or far) you are from Skokie, but you can see if he takes your ins.
SAHM to g/b twins (5 1/2) & 3 y/o girl
Hi A.,
I am not familiar with what a Homefirst pediatrician is or where you are located, but we have a regular family doctor who is a D.O. (not an M.D.) and he is very open to a parent's decision to vaccinate or not and seems to be open minded about alternative/natural approach to medicine. We love him. He is located in St. Charles and I'm not sure if he takes HMO's anymore. However, perhaps calling a few of the doctors that ARE on your plan and see how they feel about these issues before you make an appointment, kinda like an interview. And look for a D.O....they tend to be more natural in their approach anyway.
Good Luck!
I don't know if he does pediatrics, but you may want to check out Dr. Mercola. He has a website, mercola.com. He's very naturopathic, but you'd have to check on the peds thing and if they take your insurance. Good luck!
Hi A.,
I got this list of "vaccine-friendly" doctors of Dr. Sears' website. We use Dr. Katrina Cole at Pediatric Health Associates in Naperville. We have not given our 10 month old any vaccines and she is fine with it. There was just some form/waiver we had to sign.
Hope that helps!
Also, just curious what prompted you to change your mind about no longer vaccinating...
Karen M. Federici, M.D.
Family First Physicians
599 Pearson Dr
Genoa, IL 60115
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Fax: ###-###-####
www.FamilyFirstDocs.com
Dr. Robert Minkus
6810 N Mccormick Blvd
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
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Homefirst Family Practice
Chicago Medical Center
4801 W. Peterson Ave. #609
Chicago, IL 60646
Dr. Jennifer Schening
Next Generation Pediatrics
101 S. McLean Blvd, Ste. B
South Elgin, IL 60177
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