The first rule of medicine is supposed to be "first, do no harm." Unfortunately, that principle…read moreseemed completely lost at this office.
(Edit: I should specify this was with Dr. Shatby's office.)
My primary care doctor referred me here after an X-ray came back negative for bone break/fracture. My PCP believed I likely needed an MRI and evaluation by an orthopedist. Before the appointment, I confirmed my referral had gone through, provided all my information, and was told they were only missing the X-ray results. They gave me a fax number, I contacted the imaging center, and had the results faxed over. Problem solved - or so I thought.
I arrive for my appointment only to be told the doctor refuses to see me without the actual x-ray imaging files, despite already having the radiologist's report. Instead of explaining this requirement beforehand, the receptionist immediately tried to push me into getting another X-ray done right there. Her response? "Don't worry, it's only a $10 copay."
That completely missed the point. I didn't 't care about the copay. I care about exposure to unnecessary ionizing radiation and unnecessary repeat imaging when my PCP already believed the next step was an MRI. Why was I being asked to repeat an X-ray I literally just had done less than a week before? Hmm...
I declined the repeat X-ray, drove all the way back to the imaging center, obtained the DVD myself, and brought it back to their office the same day. I had to actually get a physical DVD because this office also does not have any method in place for receiving digital records such as x-rays. OK, so let me get this straight: their office REQUIRES the original images, but yet they have NO WAY to receive such images except for an antiquated DVD, and if someone does not have said DVD, then they require them to get NEW images, coincidentally done at THEIR facility, or else the Dr. won't see the patient? Does that seem appropriate to you?
Finally, after all that effort, I was then told the doctor had already left for the day. So they wanted to reschedule me for the following week.
To make matters worse, they charged me the co-pay for the appointment, which I am disputing. They are also trying to bill my insurance for the appointment even though I was never actually seen (disputing that also).
The entire experience felt less focused on patient care and far more focused on funneling patients into in-house imaging. Maybe there's a perfectly innocent explanation (I doubt it), but when a patient is pressured to repeat x-ray imaging they already completed, despite a specialist referral specifically for an MRI evaluation, it raises serious concerns, to say the least.
Patients are not just billing opportunities. Repeated radiation exposure may be "small" each time, but it is cumulative, and unnecessary exposure is still unnecessary exposure. The complete lack of coordination, communication, and respect for the patient's time and SAFETY was unacceptable. Stay far away.
I will not be returning.
