TL;DR:
I called to inquire about his services and rates, and…read moreasked about paying out of pocket since he doesn't take Medi-Cal. Instead of simply saying no, he falsely claimed it's "by law" that Medi-Cal patients can't pay for any healthcare service out of pocket--and then said, "You're too poor to pay, basically." He later changed his story publicly and took no accountability. Based on my experience, he's misinformed, unprofessional, and lacks the compassion you'd expect from a psychiatrist.
Addressing Dr. T's Misleading Response:
After reading his response below, I still believe this psychiatrist is unknowledgeable, judgmental, and lacks the compassion expected from someone in his profession. He also seems unwilling to take constructive feedback, which only reinforces my concerns. Instead of addressing the actual issues I raised, he tried to frame the situation as if I were simply upset about being refused service. That was never the problem. I would not trust him to help anyone feel mentally better, and here's why:
1. I would've gladly taken my business elsewhere if he had said something like, "I don't accept Medi-Cal patients, even if they choose to pay out of pocket, because I'm not fully familiar with the policies." But that's not what happened. Instead, he confidently told me it's "by law" that Medi-Cal patients are not allowed to pay out of pocket for all healthcare services. When I asked why, his response was: "You're too poor to pay, basically."
It's hard not to believe he only changed his tone after I brought this to a public forum.
2. In his reply, he now claims the law is in place to "protect Medi-Cal beneficiaries from being exploited." But on the phone, he didn't mention protection or legal nuance--just an offensive and dismissive remark. That's not protection. That's prejudice.
From my understanding, "protection from exploitation" means that if a healthcare service is already covered by Medi-Cal, a provider isn't allowed to charge the patient cash for that service instead of billing Medi-Cal. In those cases, it's the provider who could get into trouble -- not the patient.
However, if a provider does not accept Medi-Cal at all, and the patient chooses to pay out of pocket, there is no law that automatically prohibits the patient from paying for healthcare services themselves.
Therefore, what I was told -- that it's "by law" illegal for Medi-Cal patients to self-pay for any service -- was misleading and inaccurate.
3. If such a law truly existed--that Medi-Cal patients are prohibited from paying out of pocket for all healthcare services--there would be widespread protests and legal challenges. Especially in California, where 38% of residents (approximately 14.9 million people) are enrolled in Medi-Cal, according to the California Health Care Foundation . You don't just quietly pass a law that blocks over a third of the state's population from accessing healthcare freely.
4. As someone who's paid out of pocket for dental work, X-rays or even orthodontics at clinics that don't accept Medi-Cal, I know firsthand that self-pay is not prohibited--unless the provider chooses to deny it. What I experienced wasn't a legal restriction. It was his personal choice, presented with misinformation and judgment.
5. While Medi-Cal does serve low-income individuals, it also includes seniors, people with disabilities, and others with complex medical needs. His blanket assumption based solely on my insurance status--and the comment that followed--was not only unprofessional, but discriminatory.
6. He blames his small practice and lack of legal resources for not understanding Medi-Cal's policies. But let's be real--many small clinics operate just fine with one or two medical assistants. He doesn't need a legal department. He just needs one knowledgeable MA to help with basic inquiries, or a better understanding of the system himself. I've seen small offices in tight shared spaces still manage to hire support staff and treat people with dignity.
7. He also claimed I was frustrated simply because he refused service. That's not true. I called to inquire about his services and rates--which he never answered. After our conversation, it was clear to both of us that it wasn't a good fit. And that would've been totally fine--if the interaction had been respectful. Instead, I was met with inaccurate information and an offensive response that made the entire experience unnecessarily negative.
8. Most people would agree that telling someone, "You're too poor to pay," is incredibly offensive--especially coming from a psychiatrist. This wasn't just about service refusal. It was about how I was spoken to and the misinformation I was given, both of which I believe reflect serious issues in how this doctor treats potential patients.
