I posted this review for the Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group, but apparently, there are two listings for this same office, so I am posting for this listing also. People should know what they are in for, when visiting this office:
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9/17/2010
Okay, I'd have to admit that the doctor who treated me was great, and his assistant was fantastic as well. They were very knowledgeable and efficient. They made sure I was comfortable, and kept me laughing throughout the procedure.
The problem I had was with the front desk people. I should have known about their service when I called to make an appointment. They put me on hold for over ten minutes. When someone finally picked up, the whole time I was making an appointment and giving my information, she was gossiping with someone at the office, and I wasn't sure if she really heard me or not. Yes, she was holding two conversations at once, and I had no idea when she was talking to me or this other person (who I'm assuming was her coworker).
She told me to fill out all the paperwork before I got there, and I did.
When I was done with my procedure and was checking out, the front desk lady saw me but didn't help me for a while. When she did finally help me, she asked me what my deductible was. I told her I wasn't sure because I had new insurance. She then told me I had to pay the entire amount due. I told her that my deductible was something really low, like $100 or $200, and she told me the deductible was usually $500 or $600 and it was their policy that I had to pay for the entire amount.
I would have thought that they should have found this information out from my insurance beforehand, or asked me to get that information before my procedure was done!!
I wound up paying for the whole sum because she told me it was their "procedure". I called my insurance as soon as I got home, and sure enough, my deductible was $250!! I called the dermatology office back, and I'm not sure if it was the same lady, but she quickly said, "well, you're just gonna have to call our billing office, I cannot help you." Sure enough, I call the billing office, and the phone was busy for about 30 minutes, and when I finally got through, it was voicemail.
The service at the front desk was HORRIBLE! That is too bad because the doctor and assistant were so great.
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UPDATE 11/1/2010:
So, I obtained my service on 9/17/2010, and I had to pay the entire sum of the treatment because I did not know the exact deductible on hand, and they would not allow me to call my insurance to find out (as seen in my previous review). And yes, this dermatology office is "in-network" for my insurance.
I called mid October to see when I'll be getting my refund, and they promised me at that time that they will be sending me a check on 10/25, as that was their billing cycle.
Today is 11/1, and no check. I called them back, and they said, "well, we still have no word from your insurance company about your biopsies, so you may end up owing more money to us. We are not refunding you."
So, I asked, "do I owe more money or am I getting a refund back? What is going on here? I'll pay if I owe, but you need to let me know what the balance is."
It turns out my insurance company never got a claim from them about this said biopsy! The dermatology office said, "that's funny, we'll send it to them again, and it will take 30-45 days".
I've never had problem like this with any doctor or hospital nor my insurance company before, and how can this medical office just not follow up?
So, I have to wait at least another month for a refund for a service that was rendered on September 17th!!! May be I'll get my refund back by Christmas?
I WILL NEVER GO TO THIS OFFICE AGAIN! read more
