My visit was in March 2013. Just getting to this now, about 2 months later.
And the results are in...
I had a very good result here for the reasons I list below and would return again. In fact, I would like to make them my family doctor - - do they do that?
The doctor at Carestat provided me a very accurate diagnosis with almost no waiting and testing that was the same diagnosis that I finally received 6 weeks later after waiting nearly a month for an appointment with a board certified Neurologist, and that was after the neurologist sent me for a very expensive MRI and then had me suffer under a unique medical torture test called an EMG - - all of which then proved totally unnecessary as Stu, the doctor on call at Carestat, had already provided me the same exact diagnosis in 10 minutes six weeks earlier, with no waiting or any expensive (or painful) procedures. Duh.
I thought that their prices and billing were fairly reasonable. I noticed another reviewer complaining about billing, but I was charged no more than any other doctor charges me, and many doctors do charge a lot. If you not used to seeing doctor bills, then any price may seem expensive, but I was treated fairly. (and if you really want to see expensive, just visit your local specialist and get an MRI !)
Someone there did explain to me that there was a minimum charge just to be seen, but I think due to my high deductible insurance plan, so I wouldn't run there for every runny nose. I would recommend calling them in advance to review the minimum charges before showing up at their door (while you are at it, get an online reservation number.) However, when you need to see a doctor stat - - this is the way to go.
Also, speaking about extra billing, Carestat will run any (reasonable) medical test that you request, for an extra charge of course, if they think the test makes medical sense, which is exactly what I asked them to do to rule out some other concerns that I had. I was willing to pay extra for those extra tests for my peace of mind and my children's sake as we were leaving for vacation 2 days later (i.e. why mess around?) Those extra tests were not any more expensive, and maybe even less expensive, than similar type tests done for my son at a medical testing center in Lawrence Park (Broomall) earlier in the year. To this day, I am glad I had those extra tests done. Enough about that.
The doctor and nurse practitioner (at Carestat) spent about 5x more time with me than does my own family doctor on any average visit, which brings me to an important point. Why have a family doc when you can go here? I guess one needs a place to keep their medical records - - specialist always ask me who to send them to. Well, my family doc may have all my records, but do they ever look at them? In the future, if my family doctor can't see me the same day, I will come here, for sure.
Also, this place knows how to take blood like nobody's business - - which is quite possibly the other reason I had such a positive experience. Of course, I right away asked about their technique and all, and of course it turns out one of their nurses taught phlembotomy. That would explain it.
Lastly, the funny thing at Carestat, which is kind of ironic, is that you can get a reservation number online, but they don't treat you like a number when you get there. Meanwhile, at my family doctor, you cannot get a same day appointment, but when you do get in, then you are treated like a number. Does that make any sense? Just sayin'. read more