This review is in regards to the billing department and the front desk.
I work in the medical field so I know how medical practices run. My husband and I needed our annual physical so we went here. I schedule two different appointments for myself and my husband. I went first. I was told by the NP that they do not physicals on the first visit. I would have to get lab work and return for the physical. Okay...? That's a first. I got my bloodwork - got the results back and called to schedule ANOTHER annual physical. I scheduled my appointment before getting a phone call from the office about my results. If you read the registration forms - it takes them 2 weeks to get back to you in regards to your results - just an FYI. Even though you get an email from Quest Diagnostics first, within 3-5 days.
When I called to schedule my appointment, I stated to the receptionist "I would like to schedule a follow-up appointment for my annual physical. I received my labwork from my initial visit and was told I needed to do that first before your office can do the physical."
However, when the NP came in, she stated the visit was only for a follow-up and she didn't have enough time to do the physical. Uhh... What? Strike 2.
I informed her of the situation, offered no apology, and stated she will do the physical. She was not rude about it. And she answered all the questions I had. She didn't rush me at all. I felt bad because it just puts her behind schedule. So - a scheduling error. It would ALSO be helpful if the receptionist informs new patients that they do not do physicals on the 1st visit. Because I have never heard of this before. (Side note: I have PPO.)
Also, if I am coming in for my annual physical - I do not have to pay a co-pay. BUT they make you pay, no matter what. If you have insurance, you DO NOT pay anything during your annual physical appointment. Strike 3.
Here's a train of thought: it would be nice to do the physical during your initial appointment, give the patient paperwork for the lab and then call with the results. If they need to come back (due to abnormal results), they can schedule an appointment. Why do patients come back twice? So you can get money from insurance?
That was the case for me. My husband went 2 weeks after me. They billed his FIRST INITIAL visit as preventative. They billed MY FIRST INITIAL visit as an office visit, and my 2nd visit as preventative.
After speaking with my insurance and informing them of the situation, I called the billing department who kept saying "I understand. I understand. We will contact your insurance and see what's going on." However, they never did. I received a phone call today (over 60 days after speaking with them) from a rude male who states they never received a phone call or new claim from my insurance in regards to my visit. Again, he stated 'I understand. I understand. However...'. If you understand what I was saying, you don't need to continue with 'however', "bro".
WHY WOULD THE INSURANCE MAIL YOU A NEW CLAIM? YOU are suppose to send them the CORRECT CODES so that we can process it. YOU are suppose to contact them to correct YOUR ERROR. However, they put the blame on patients and the insurance saying that me, the patient, was suppose to do it. The insurance is suppose to do it. Not them.
Again, I'm an office manager at a medical practice, I know how billing works. I know the codes. What they are doing is unlawful. They want you to come back twice so that they can get the money. NO ONE should have to go back twice for an annual physical - they just want the money so that they can charge 1 as an office visit and the other as preventative.
I would give this place 1 star, but the NP was extremely nice - hence the extra star. They need to be compensating me for the 2 hours I was on the phone was insurance. Ridiculous. The doctors may be good but we weary of the billing department. Look over your EOBs before sending payment. read more