1 STAR -- Extremely Disappointing Experience…read more
I am extremely disappointed with my experience at Pediatric Associates in East Boynton Beach.
I called to schedule an appointment for my 13-year-old daughter because she has not had her menstrual period in six months. This is obviously something I take seriously as a parent, and I wanted her evaluated by her pediatrician. I was originally given an appointment for 4:20 PM today, so I made arrangements to leave work early to make sure she could be seen.
About one hour before the appointment, I received a call asking me to come in at 7:55 PM instead. Apparently, my original appointment with the doctor I was scheduled to see was canceled, and we were moved to an after-hours visit. I rearranged my entire work schedule for the original appointment, only to have it changed at the last minute.
When we arrived, the experience at the front desk was already unpleasant. The attitude we received was completely unnecessary. I was then charged $40 to be seen, which made the situation even more frustrating.
The doctor came in, introduced himself, and asked what brought us in. I explained AGAIN that my daughter has not had her period in six months. His response was essentially that there was nothing he could do and that he could only give me a referral to a gynecologist.
I asked, "Then why was I asked to bring her in and pay $40 for this appointment?" I also asked if at least some blood work could be done to determine if there might be an underlying issue. I was told no, because he didn't know what blood tests to order and that the OB/GYN would know.
At that point, I was extremely frustrated. My daughter wasn't even properly evaluated before we were simply told to see someone else.
When I went to check out, I asked the front desk if a refund could be considered since the doctor essentially walked in, listened to the issue, did not examine my daughter, did not order any testing, and simply gave us a referral.
Instead of receiving understanding or assistance, Anna at the front desk became very dismissive and rude, telling me, "Nobody's holding you here. I can't give you a refund. You can go now."
I then asked about the referral and wanted to know which OB/GYN we were being referred to. I was told there was no doctor's name listed and that I would have to contact my insurance and find an OB/GYN myself. I asked if they could at least print the referral for me, and the paper was thrown onto the counter.
I was told a manager would call me regarding the refund, which I doubt! Honestly, after the way I was treated, I am not confident that call will ever come.
As a parent, I expect better when I bring my child in with a medical concern that has been going on for six months. I understand that a pediatrician may need to refer a patient to a specialist, but the way this entire situation was handled--from changing my appointment at the last minute, to charging me $40, to providing virtually no evaluation, to the attitude I received at the front desk--was unacceptable.
This was not about getting a referral. It was about how the entire situation was handled and how I was treated as a concerned parent.
I hope management takes this complaint seriously because no parent should leave a pediatrician's office feeling dismissed, frustrated, and disrespected when seeking care for their child.
