Imagine going to your Annual Women's Exam and being told you can't talk about your cycle or female health without being charged for a separate visit... That's exactly what happened to me.
I had my first appointment here with Dr. Greenbaum July 8th for a routine Annual Women's Exam. During the visit, I discussed my medical history, menstrual cycles, and was asked about any concerns, all pretty standard business for an Annual Women's Exam. I mentioned that I wanted to open the door for a more detailed conversation about potential solutions down the line, and after labs were completed. While a few concerns were acknowledged, Dr. Greenbaum quickly dismissed my thoughts and at one point suggested I seek a second opinion if I wanted to look into them further. During the visit, she repeatedly pushed birth control despite me clearly stating I was not interested in discussing this. She also implied some of my concerns were unlikely due to my age, which felt irrelevant and dismissive. Am I not a female with female organs that can present challenges at any age?
Standard follow-up for bloodwork and ultrasound were ordered. About a week later, I still had not received my bloodwork results despite being told they'd be ready in 48hrs. When I called, I was told their policy is to only contact patients if something is abnormal, contradicting what I'd been told. After this, I decided I was not going to return to the practice because something felt off. Later in the day, Dr. Burton (a different physician) called and reassured me she would be happy to answer my questions at my ultrasound/follow-up visit, which made me decide to keep it despite my initial experiences. When I returned August 8th for the ultrasound, the front desk informed me I owed a balance from my first visit. I told them it was a standard annual visit and this must be incorrect. The billing department "explained" that because I discussed "other things" during my annual exam, including my menstrual cycle and menstrual discomfort (which are standard topics for a well-woman visit) the appt was coded as an ADDITIONAL "problem visit," triggering a separate charge and copay. I was stunned. Discussing my medical history, menstrual health, medications, or having bloodwork ordered has always been standard in annual exams, confirmed by my insurance provider. This type of billing practice is misleading at best and borderline insurance fraud. Given my age and that this is an annual exam to discuss my health, if we were "getting too in the weeds" on a topic, which it didn't seem like we were, I should have been told in that moment that the conversation was crossing into a "problem visit" category, not retroactively charged for the same visit twice. I should have had the opportunity to make an informed visit if a subsequent charge were truly necessary. When I asked what IS actually included in the visit, I was told only a pap smear + breast exam. So, essentially you're implying that, unless I stayed silent during my wellness visit, I'd be charged extra?
It is ABSURD to suggest I can't discuss my menstrual or hormonal health at a GYNECOLOGIST appt without it being coded and charged as a separate visit. This is unreasonable and arguably unethical. If I can't mention my reproductive health at my annual women's exam, was I supposed to discuss the weather while she was performing the exam? My insurance confirmed my annual exam should include: a review of medical history, pelvic exam, breast exam, pap smear, bloodwork, and any testing ordered during that appt. That's exactly what occurred during this visit.
The entire experience has been unprofessional, dismissive, and lacking in transparency. There was little empathy, no clear solutions, and a disregard for patient-centered care; they even admitted other patients have experienced the same issue. This is either a severe internal communication failure or intentional, misleading billing. They turned essential women's health questions and standard conversation, into a payday. This is blatantly unacceptable, deceptive, and predatory. read more