So I've sent the x-rays to the USA, and the doctor there says his team will review them... do you think they will expect payment?

[EmkanaCookTurkeyLikeICan]

Just musing really...

You probably don't know either, so I'm not really expecting many answers here.

no idea, but hope they come up with something for you.

Um, dunno either but would guess could be 'yes' given it's their job. Or could be 'no' as they've offered to look at them and haven't mentioned a fee yet.

Maybe. Didn't you ask?

I got an opinion on a surgeon for DD's surgery for nothing (but I did offer to pay a fee or a donation to a children's charity). A friend we made through a support group for the ocndition sought expert advice and professional opinion and it cost her around £500. But it helped her make a VERY CRUCIAL decision about whether to go forward with hihgly unusual surgery for a child of that age and as far as she's concerned it was worth every penny.

I just asked whether they'd be happy to look at them, and kind of figured that they would reply "Yes we will if you pay us x amount"
but they never mentioned money.

Guess I will just have to see.

I would be surprised if they are expecting you to pay. Well done on sending them, I think it is well worth it, but I know it wasn't an easy decision.

I would have thought they would have mentioned money if they expected payment. aybe they'll look for free and give a one sentence reply free of charge but you have to pay for a detailed report??

Next time you speak to them, just ask "what are your charges?" so you know what is coming. You don't want/need a nasty surprise. I would assume that fees haven't been mentioned because you haven't asked - NOT because they don't intend to charge.

Hope you get good news, btw. Best of luck.

These are researchers though, aren't they, as well as being hospital doctors? I haven't heard of anyone charging under those circumstances, but I suppose it's worth checking.

Nothing is free here in the US. I just got a bill from the hospital from when ds was born a year and a half ago, because the insurance decided not to cover part of his bill.

I'm so glad I no longer have to live there.

I haven't set foot there in nearly 6 years and it'll be at least 10 before I do.

Why 10 expat?

I wish it were never, MKG. I have family there, but they come here.

I come on here b/c it's a British board and my life is in the UK now.

There's no way in HELL I'd ever live there again, Frau, b/c I have to work full time.

40+ hour week for next to no holiday? No, thanks!

And that whole insurance thing.

Nope. Not for me.

Glad to see the back of it.

Looking forward to 34 days of annual leave next year - already got some time off planned.

I'd check so you can prepare just in case

We took our toddler to ER for croup on a recent visit and that cost 500 dollars

I hate the insurance thing. And it's getting way to expensive to live here and still have a life. We're considereing moving to Mexico where my dh is from.

Nothing is free Dr-wise here in the U. S. You have to pay them for anything and everything, even getting them to sign a form to have your child participate in school athletics, or getting a copy of a shot record costs money. Except for some dental work I've had done, nobody ever talks about payment up front. Even when you go to the office, they don't say anything, you just get a bill later.

Afre they clinicians or researchers? Researchers I would expect to be free, clinicians to charge (but usually they get the money before doing the work ime!) I've used people in the States (and Australia) a number of times for help with ds1. It is crazy that it's easier to go to the States for help than to find someone in the UK, but there you go. Never regretted any of it. Hope they can give you some answers.

oh just contradicted colin- maybe its because they can't chase money in the UK very easily, but they've always got the credit card details first.

this is where I've sent them

I guess they are clinicians, aren't they?

Really don't know what to expect now...

but even if it costs money, I'm happy to go through with this now.

FrausofHolly, it does sadden me that you feel that way about Germany...

Schon gut.