I was recommended to see a different doctor but ended up being scheduled with Dr. Abell. After waiting in the lobby for approximately 45 minutes, I went back for a quick body scan to make sure I did not have any cancerous moles/freckles. She said everything looked good until I pointed out a mark on my ear and asked if it appeared normal. She seemed confused as to what it was or if it was normal, first saying it didn't look like anything and then saying "well, actually, we should biopsy it." I wasn't sure that she was very confident in her answer so I asked for confirmation. Yes, a biopsy it was. She also was going to write me a prescription for some redness on my face.
About 7 or 8 minutes after she left, I politely asked one of the other employees (who were all very friendly BTW) if she knew how much longer it would be as I realized I had to be back to work for an appointment. She said she would check for me and went back to the room where Dr. Abell was. To my surprise, I hear Dr. Abell sarcastically yell "WELL SHE GAVE US ENOUGH THINGS TO DO IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE!" (I was all the way down the hall.)Very professional, especially for a Dr., yes I know. I was shocked as well. The girl came back looking slightly embarrassed as she was sure from the look on my face that I heard her. Nothing was said and a few minutes later I left.
Even after that remark, I called a couple of days later to schedule the biopsy and clarified 3 times on the phone (because of the lack of confidence in Dr. Abell's request for the biopsy) that I was ONLY scheduling a biopsy and nothing else. I had no other reason to take time off work to go back if a biopsy was unnecessary. I also figured I would make sure this mark was ok and then change to another doctor.
About a month later, I arrive for my biopsy, which I scheduled early morning in hopes of avoiding another 45 minute wait. After being taken into the room, I was greeted by a new employee/medical assistant who asked why I was here. I explained, knowing where this was going, and she said she worked in a plastic surgery office in FL and that it is not easy to biopsy an ear without the risk of scarring and that they were not going to do the biopsy. It sounded like Dr. Abell was not even going to come in but she did right after and asked me the same question, which I proceeded to explain again. Shouldn't it be clear why I was here? Especially after confirming and reconfirming. She then asked the medical assistant for her advice (really?) and then told me she was not going to biopsy that it is not necessary! Really!? She then asked if there was anything else I was here for. NO. NOTHING. This was discussed in prior conversations. Without apologizing or admitting fault, she immediately said well then you can go ahead and go and we just won't put the appointment through and will act as if it never happened.
Now I am especially angry that I made arrangements to take time off work, wasted my time, and worried about something that was apparently no big deal. But, I politely excused myself and left, thinking to myself, I will never return to this office. This was in April 2015. It is now September 2015 and I have received multiple bills for this appointment stating that I am past-due. I have made over a half dozen calls to the office and the billing department and have had no resolution. I also contacted my insurance company to report the unethical fraudulent actions of this doctor and notified them that no services were rendered on the date in which they were billed.
My insurance company already paid the majority of the bill, but due to the ignorance, lack of professionalism, and disregard of this "doctor," I will contact our family lawyer before I will pay a cent.
MY ADVICE TO YOU - SEEK ANOTHER DOCTOR. One in which you can trust with your health and know he or she is ethical and has your best interest in mind. You will NOT find this in Dr. Abell. read more