I am not one to write reviews, but the unprofessionalism that has been displayed by the Ozaukee EyeCare Clinic is something that should not be ignored. I have worked in the medical field for 10 + years, am working towards a degree in medicine, and have NEVER come across a medical "business" like the Ozaukee EyeCare clinic. Ozaukee EyeCare is a business that accepts patients but treats them like customers. They care only about billing individuals for their care and not providing comprehensive service under the HIPPA Privacy laws. Under the HIPPA Privacy Laws 45 C.F.R. §§ 164.508, 164.524 and 164.526, patients have the right to request and obtain their medical records within a REASONALBE amount of time. When a request for records is made, the covered entity must act on the patient's request no later than 30 days after receipt of the request. If the request cannot be completed within the 30 day time frame, then it is the duty/requirement of the practice to provide a reason, in writing, to the patient with a Reasonable resolution. Ozaukee EyeCare clinic has a chronic history of holding customer records hostage. The HIPPA privacy policy also states that patient records are to remain private unless expressed/signed authorization has been given by the patient to release all or some of that information. According to Ozaukee EyeCare, Facebook is an appropriate venue to openly announce/discuss ones private medical information. While this information has been removed from Facebook (we have saved screen shots to prove that the information was there), there is no telling how many other individuals actually viewed the information. According to the HIPPA mitigation department this type of unauthorized public release would be considered WRONGFUL DISCLOSURE and the state's Attorney General would hold him accountable.
When my husband requested medical records for continuing care, he was laughed at by Dr. Walters. The records that were requested have still not been received. Working with medical records myself, I have NEVER seen a medical business like Ozaukee EyeCare who does not have records at their fingertips. Being that my husband's medical records have still not been received makes me believe that there are no medical records to send. Furthermore, how are they billing insurance correctly. Having worked in medical billing, Medicare along with MOST medical insurance plans, require medical records as a part of their contract and in order to process and pay claims correctly. These records are a requirement to simply be Medicare complient , bill any insurance company, and accept payment from them. Along with the UNREASONABLE time frame for records requests, Dr. Walter's office policy is to not return phone calls for 8 weeks. When he does FINALLY decide to return phone calls, he does not give any explanation to why the call took so long to return, but states that it is a practice policy. Being that his practice is small, I cannot believe that he really has that many phone calls to return, which means that he is not providing the quality care that patients should expect from their trusted caregiver. ANY medical clinic that I have worked at or even have been a patient of myself, have always returned phone calls within a 24-48 hour time frame.
While some physicians do not have the best bed-side manner, they still conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. Dr. Walters does not seem to understand that the Wisconsin code 10.01 and 10.02 holds him responsible for his actions. Being a trained medical professional, Dr. Walters is held to a higher standard and should portray this at all times. While "customers" of Ozaukee EyeCare Clinic may have received some level of care, Dr. Walters' feels that he goes about and beyond. Basically how I see it is that he barley did HIS JOB. A medical health professional means that you have to provide medical records and compassionate care to ALL patients. Just because one fills out a form or writes a SHORT letter stating the facts does not mean that they have "carried" a patient or went above and beyond, you have done your job sir. It is a good thing that Dr. Walters is going to retire soon, because it seems as though he cannot handle the responsibility any longer. read more
