Dear Office Manager,…read more
I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding the treatment I received during my appointment at your office today.
This is my first pregnancy, and my boyfriend and I were very excited to attend this appointment and see our ultrasound. We both took time off work for what should have been a very special experience. Unfortunately, the interaction I had with one of your staff members completely changed that experience for me.
Upon arriving at the office, I was not greeted professionally or warmly. Instead, as soon as I walked through the door, I was immediately told that I was late. I arrived 7 minutes late, and I understand there is a 10-minute grace period. However, there was no "hello," no professionalism, and no compassion shown during the interaction. The approach was very rude and impersonal.
I was then told I needed to sign an agreement stating I would pay $500 per month, but no one properly explained what the charges were for or why this amount was required. When I politely asked for clarification before signing documents, I was spoken to rudely and told I only had "two minutes to sign." As a patient, especially a first-time mother, I feel I had every right to understand what I was being asked to agree to financially.
What upset me even more was that the staff member discussed my personal financial information in front of other patients, which made me extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed. I called my mother to help me better understand the situation, and the staff member refused to speak with her, stating she needed my consent. While I understand consent policies, it felt very contradictory considering my own personal information had already been discussed openly in front of others.
After repeatedly asking for an explanation regarding the $500 monthly payment and still receiving no clear answer, I ultimately decided to leave the appointment.
This was my second visit to your office. During my first appointment, both the doctor and staff were kind, welcoming, and professional. I even asked during that visit what my copay and expected costs would be, and there was never any mention of a $500 monthly payment arrangement. That is why today's experience was so shocking and disappointing.
This experience ruined what should have been a very meaningful milestone for me and my partner. Pregnancy is already an emotional and vulnerable time, and patients deserve to be treated with kindness, patience, professionalism, and respect.
I hope this matter will be looked into seriously so that no other patient has to experience what I did today.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Gilmore