I have never felt so completely brushed off by a medical office in my life. I am a diabetic with peripheral neuropathy who works on my feet doing delivery work. I explicitly made an appointment with Arcadia Foot & Ankle to get preventative custom orthotics to protect my feet from dangerous complications, but they completely dropped the ball on the root cause of my visit. Secondary, I had a toenail I needed them to look at.
For my neuropathy, the doctor merely performed a quick resistance and touch test but he asked me absolutely zero questions about my day to day life or symptoms. If he had actually stopped to listen, he would have learned that I have been experiencing severe, agonizing leg muscle soreness which I feel is a direct result of working on concrete daily using cheap off the rack Walmart insoles. Shockingly, when I asked him later if my current insoles were okay, he gave me a quick, rushed "Yes," completely failing to realize that those insoles I feel are destroying my legs and feet and offering zero support for my workload.
The entire appointment was treated like an assembly line. The medical assistant came and stood in the open doorway acting as a human "timer," and the doctor literally started wrapping things up to signal that he was done before I had even been given a chance to speak. I had hoped he was finally going to address my neuropathy issues, but instead, he was wrapping up the visit. I had to jump in and get basic questions answered. I felt the quick you're ok, yes it's good answers were just to appease me. On top of that, the doctore completely failed to discuss the results of my foot X-rays with me before he stated he had to "get to the next patient" and off he went. That is an entirely unprofessional, dangerous way to handle a diabetic patient's bone health.
Before he jetted to his next patient, and I asked about getting custom orthotics covered under my Arizona Complete Health insurance, the assistant blatantly misinformed the doctor, who then looked me in the eye and claimed my insurance doesn't cover them. I knew this was completely false because I had actually contacted my insurance company ahead of time to confirm they absolutely covered orthotics for patients with my diagnosis. Arcadia simply didn't want to take the time to fill out the mandatory Prior Authorization paperwork required for high-cost custom devices, so it was easier for them to give a patient a lazy, incorrect "no." In addition, when I asked the doctor about EPAT shockwave therapy, he flat-out brushed it off and claimed it was strictly for muscles and "doesn't help with nerves" completely ignoring clinical studies showing it boosts micro-circulation and calms overactive neuropathy nerves. I was beside myself.
To top it all off, when I finally asked the assistant if pills were basically the only thing they do to treat neuropathy, she flatly told me "yes." Reducing diabetic nerve care down to just popping numbing pills while completely ignoring physical, preventative foot protection is not good.
I have canceled my followup appointment. I was able to get copies of my xrays and my business to my primary care doctor and a specialized orthotics clinic who actually treat patients with dignity, respect and medical accuracy. I also contacted my insurance company after this visit just confirm, again, orthotics would be covered and they confirmed they are. This whole experience was very upsetting to me. I felt defeated. here's more that happened but this list is long enough. As a former business owner, I would never treat my customers like I was treated today....ever.
I do have to say that the couple of times over the phone and in the office, their front office staff was very friendly and helpful. I never felt rushed and I can't say enough good about the ladies there.
But if you are a diabetic who relies on your feet to earn a living, do not trust Dr. Morris. He prioritizes the clock over long term health. read more
