Dr Tamamoto used to talk down to me - would talk rudely and as if I was stupid and couldn't understand. I then started to tell my husband to come in with me because I didn't want to feel so put down trying to take my kids for a check up. Funny thing, Dr Tamamoto talked nicely and respectfully with my husband around. But again when I'd go without him, I'd get treated rudely. Until the topic finally came up of what I do. After realizing I was in the medical field, he then seemed to have a whole new outlook as to the type of person I was. Hasn't been rude since.
I have had voicemails left at my family members house that contained details regarding my children's health and visits without my consent. I'm not sure how they even got that phone number, I assume from caller ID. That's a big NO NO. Can you say HIPAA?!
I've never been so harassed to schedule an appointment than with this office. So many calls and even Dr Tamamoto calling us bad parents when we couldn't schedule a physical right away. Does he not realize that parents work?! And that we don't all have the time to sit there in his office for over 45 min every single time just to see him?! Even when asking for the first appointment of the day, still wait at least 45 min.
No care in the world for people's time. His is way more important.
It's a shame how downhill the office has went with all the staffing changes. Ramona was so kind and sweet. There was also a local staff member that worked about 2 years ago that was so nice and welcoming. My husband and I loved her. She is exactly how pediatric MAs should be. Unfortunately they both no longer work there. I believe Ramona had to leave to take care of her sick daughter, who by the way, we generously donated to through go fund me.
I recently got a threatening letter from Sheri, his wife. Calls herself the "biller". Threatening to send me to collections for visits she claims my child had no insurance for. These visits were over 2 years ago. No proof that they tried to even fix the unpaid claim or that they provided additional information to insurance to get it paid. My children have never gone a day without medical insurance. Ever! As I look through the documents that looks like Sheri herself typed out - I can already see the issue. Billing the wrong insurance. Also, all that harassing us to come in for physicals - made us to come too early. Everyone knows you get one annual physical a year, hence the word annual. I remember telling them it's too early to get physicals (for more than one child) but we then get belittled and told we're not being responsible and the kids aren't being taken care of since we don't bring them for a visit. The office has even called our emergency contact to tell them that our daughter was due for a visit. Our EMERGENCY contact for crying out loud! SMH!
I had to send my daughter for a visit. My 14 year old. My oldest daughter had to take her, she's 20. For a physical. Before my daughter even saw the doctor, she calls me and tells me "idk mom, the lady told me to call you and tell you that I have a balance" Sheri demanded that my 14 year old call me in front of her on her cell phone to tell me that. Nice.
I've paid copays. Funny thing, I've never been asked at a visit to even make a copay. Ever! I always was the one that asked the front to make a payment. And so many times I was told "it's ok, nothing today." Or "we will just send you a bill". And because of the failure on the front desk for the last few years and the failure of properly billing - they now want to send a threatening letter stating I'm going to collections. And this amount is a random amount. Nothing on the statement provided justifies the amount. None of the copays I've ever paid even reflected on this statement.
Take it from me. Before the leadership role I am in today, I worked the front desk, been an MA, been a biller/collector, and would never pull the stuff this office pulls. Don't even get me started on the pressure to get the kids Covid vaccinated. Just don't do it. Find yourself another physician that has a spouse that actually cares about the patients too (not just stares at the screen looking at money, when you come in) Find a physician/a family that will treat you and your kids like family. That welcome you, don't violate HIPAA, don't bill incorrectly and make false claims and false amounts to bill, that respect you, and treat you like an actual human. read more