Hello kind people,

Still new- ish to this whole thing, ie homeopathy and have some questions for you.

I am in the US, and am wondering if I am getting ripped off. I have seen one homeopath for both my son and me. He charged $90.00 for the initial consult (@ 1 1/2 hrs), then $65.00 for the next consults (@ 30- 45 min), then $36.00 for each phone or short consult thereafter (which he recc I keep coming ea. 2 months). He has done well with my son, helping with *some* of his symtoms -- enough so we all can sleep now. He still has many "unsolved" symptoms but I can accept this (severe allergies etc). My problem is that if the homeopath prescribes the wrong remedy, he still charges me for for it and then has me come back to pay for the right remedy. Is this how it works? Standard homeopathic etiquette? Should I keep having to bring my son back every 2 months or so? Or rather, is that a standard thing?

I went twice to him for a constitutional remedey for me but, after $155.oo and no right remedy I gave up on him ( I do a lot of alt. health things any way... ). I am a full time mother and we simply do not have the $ to throw away.

I'd really appreciate your input in these questions, so I'd have a better idea how to proceed.

Much thanks,
dAnne

His pricing schedule seems very reasonable to me from the UK.

You must remember that sometimes it takes a couple of sessions before the patient gives us the information we need to make an accurate prescription. Also how many times do you see an MD, get an antibiotic or other tablets and it doesn't cure? Please put homeopathy into perspective. The homeopath has obviously done well by your son so stick with him. It sometimes takes a while to improve all the symptoms. I tell patients one month of treatment for each year that they have had the complaint is the norm, but sometimes they are cured with the first prescription and other times it takes longer. Every one is an individual and homeopathy works on individuals in an individual way!

Dear dAnne - if you will look at the recent post 10-18 from "now-faith" "need help with son" it will give you my experience with Homeopathy charges. If you scroll down to 10-13 under my name "Yvonne" - you will see what seems to be a conservative charge in Massachusetts for Homeopaths. You have to remember, here on the BB, you can get free advice......but to see someone that has paid a high price for an EDUCATION to study Homeopathy - you are going to pay the same as seeing a MEDICAL doctor. I don't know what our BB Homeopaths charge when they see a person in their office, but believe me when I tell you - a first visit usually takes over an hour - there are not many PROFESSIONALS that can spend that kind of time with a patient and NOT get paid for their time. Unfortuneately, in Mass. most of us don't have healthcare insurance for Alternative treatments, Hope this info helps.

Dear Danne,
I am a homeopath in Canada and FYI I charge 80.00 for the initial consult @1-2hrs, then 25.00 for a follow up which I recommend be at least monthly. Short phone calls are free, to answer questions, educate etc., but if it seems we need more time then I request a proper appointment(@25.00). I know this seems like a lot, and without seeming like I have to justify this, please remember that when you see me for a couple of hours and go home, I then spend several more hours doing a complete case analysis, sometimes may confer with another homeopath, etc, before I recommend a remedy. I spend many hours on my clients. Around here, where mainstream health care is "free", doctors are paid a heck of a lot more to see a patient for about 5 minutes. On the other hand, most homeopaths I know would not let a financial problem stop a person from receiving homeopathic care, so maybe you need to weigh these facts carefully, then decide if your homeopath has his heart in the right place...Moira

I am a homoeopath from Sydney Australia. I charge $50 for the first visit (about 1 hour or more, as required) and $35 for a follow up. (1/2 hr to 1 hr)Medicine is always free. If I have given the wrong remedy, I do not charge the next session. After all, it ia my fault. If the patient antidotes, I do charge, it is the patient's responsibility. That helps very well to stop them doing it.

Dear Danne,

I am a homeopath is Canada. At our clinic the rates are as follows:
Initial visit for an adult: $125
Initial visit for a child: $90
Follow up for an adult: $60
Follow up for a child: $40
Acute consultations: $35 and up depending on the time spent.
These rates are middle scale in our city.
After a client leaves we sometimes need to spend many hours studying the information we have obtained.
Homeopathic treatment can vary in length and is dependent on many variables, including, the client's level of vitality, the chronicity of the condition, the ability of the client to clearly express the nature of their complaint and of couse the accuracy of the prescription. Homeopathy is a process of healing that can require a certain level of commitment between the Homeopath and the client. It can take time for the pertinent information to become clear and in a sense you are paying for the Homeopath's best effort. There are no credible healing modalities that I know of that can honestly make guarantees of "immediate cure".
Homeopathy is powerful and deep acting. It can be an incredibly profound way to facilitate the balancing and freeing of the healing force within.

Kind regards,
Jenny Calogeros-Smith
Teleos Homeopathic Centre

[This message has been edited by Jen (edited 19 October 1999).]

WOW - I think i really have to do some investigating to see if MOST of the Homeopaths in my area are charging what I THOUGHT was the norm. If the charges are as reasonable as you all have indicated, I can afford to be treated!!! Thanks for your input. dAnne---I hope this shows you that a little investigating might go a long way.....It opened up my eyes....Sorry my first Homeopathic experience was SO expensive and kind of turned me off from seeking future help. I'll be on the phone tomorrow!

Dear Danne,

No, Danne, it should not be this way; but unfortuneately it is; yet not everyone is buisness minded. Best to educate yourself and keep open to someone whom cares less for money and more for helping/healing.Ask your homeopath if you can pay a family yearly price according to what you can truthfully afford.If he turns you down, then you know his criterion; Then it is up to you to decide.

The charges in Norway is about the same, but i have to say, that in most cases, when it comes to children, you should be able to see some progress in a short time, from three days to a month, that gives you confidence that it works, if not change homeopat, not all homeopats have the nesseceary experience or teachings.And sadly, some people are using the title, and not being homeopaths at all.

Actually I have tried at different times to get people on a scheme of $10/month, not to be paid in the monthe they are sick with something acute. Many were enthusiastic, but failed to live up to it. They rather paid me a fee each time. I have about 5 families that pay me like that. This is the Chinese method. You pay as long as you are healthy, but stop when you get sick. In this way, the doctor gets paid for the work he is supposed to do - keep you healthy. If his work is bad, he makes no money. If he is good, he will have plenty patients. This weeds out bad doctors too. I wish homoeopaths world-wide would adopt it, for only the real homoeopaths would then make a living and the spurious ones would be without soon enough.