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We invite you to call Dr. Dunn's office and speak with the research coordinator
who will be happy to answer your questions and enroll you as a patient. There
are several exclusions which will be explained to you. In some cases a surgical
procedure may be necessary to remove torn or irritating tissue from your knee
joint to help you qualify. Evaluation requires consultation by Dr. Dunn, Blood
Tests, MRI's, and X-Rays.
PRELIMINARY TESTS
All tests done in patient's hometown on Dr. Dunn's prescription.
Results to be faxed to our office for Dr. Dunn to review. Dr Dunn will not review test results until our office receives them all.
- Lab Work
- MRI of joint to be treated
- Mammogram (for women only)
- Any available operative reports on the joint to be treated
DETERMINATION OF CANDIDACY
Dr. Dunn reviews all test results and determines patient's candidacy. If patient is a candidate and having a hip, knee or ankle treated he/she would obtain crutches and/or a walker (which ever Dr. Dunn Specifies) and a prescription for a special brace if necessary.
The crutches and/or walker are used in order for the patient to be non-weight bearing throughout the entire course of treatment.
Brace purchased from a brace maker (Orthotist), crutches and/or walker available at a medical supply company.
All of the above to be brought to Dr. Dunn's office at time of treatment.
INSURANCE VERIFICATION
Insurance will be verified prior to any office visit for coverage of office visits and x-rays ONLY. If Dr. Dunn is not a provider for your insurance or if no insurance, charges are as follows:
>First office visit: $160.00
Follow-up office visits: $85.00
X-Rays (this is an estimate only and may not be required at every visit): $120.00
Injections (3 to 6 injections may be needed and no insurance will cover this cost): $375.00 per injection
APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING
Make appointments for treatment.
Appointments can be one or two weeks apart.
PRELIMINARY TESTS
The following tests are necessary to evaluate your health prior to enrollment in the IAGH program:
- Blood tests to determine the health of your organs and your hormone levels.
- X-rays and MRI of the joint to be treated. For the hip a 3-dimensional C-T scan may be needed.
- Mammogram (for women only).
Operative reports of previous surgeries on the joint to be treated are also needed.
If you have chronic or serious illness a letter from your doctor indicating that you can safely receive growth hormone injections is needed.
INSURANCE VERIFICATION & CHARGES
Your insurance will be verified prior to your office visit to determine coverage for office visits, laboratory testing, X-rays, MRI's, and C-T scans only.
IAGH Injections are not covered by any insurance. If Dr. Dunn is not a provider for your insurance company, or if you have no insurance, the charges are as follows.
First office visit (consultation) - $160.00; follow-up office visits - $85.00. X-rays taken in Dr. Dunn's office are between $60.00 and $120.00. X-rays are not taken every visit.
Follow-up blood tests are sometimes required.
SURGERY: When your arthritis is advanced and there is bone on bone, arthroscopic surgery with abrasion is necessary to remove the marble-hard eburnated bone from the surface of your joint to expose the underlying vessels which are the targets of growth hormone activity.
Other conditions requiring arthroscopic surgery with abrasion are avascular necrosis in the femoral condyle in your knee and avascular necrosis of the body of the talus in your ankle.
The decision to have surgery depends on the findings of your examination and tests. The cost of surgery will be fully discussed prior to the commencement of treatment.
Many arthritic joints do not require surgery prior to treatment.
INJECTIONS: The number of injections is variable and depends on several factors: for instance, the size of the joint and the age of the patient.
Injections can be given every week or every 2 weeks. Rarely a patient might require only 2 injections. The average patient requires 6 to 9 injections.
Some joints are resistant to treatment and require more than 9 injections. Larger joints may require double doses.
Infrequently a large joint resistant to treatment might even require triple doses. Injections and office charges are to be paid for at the time of each visit.
ADDITIONAL FEES: Additional fees will apply to very complicated cases such as patients with multiple previous surgeries, deformities and prior complications such as infections.
The amount of additional charges, if any, will be decided by Dr. Dunn after he reviews your case.
IAGH TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS: Good results require your careful attention to the many details of the IAGH program.
Dr. Dunn will go to great lengths to help you achieve a successful result and he expects your total cooperation in return.
Please read this website several times to acquaint yourself with the program.
Don't hesitate to call our office to answer your questions.
TEL: (305) 865-6534 OR 1(888) 848-6534
ALLAN R. DUNN, M.D.
1790 SANS SOUCI BOULEVARD
NORTH MIAMI, FLORIDA 33181
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