Firstly it would be somewhat disingenuous of me to write such a negative review without trying the…read moreproduct out for size. I've never met any of the doctors, they could be the greatest surgeons in the world, and I would never know. However, it was the application that went so wrong, that causes me to think that there business conduct is one that is unethical.
Miami where the moral compass and business ethics are far and fleeting, when you find greatness in a business, a friendly face and responsibility, you better stick with them. In this case our relationship ended rather quickly.
Two months ago my neighbor in Perdido Key (who is a Navel Surgeon) diagnosed me with a Ventricular Hernia. Not, wanting to trust my insurance in North Florida and knowing the in's and outs of Miami, I his the internet super highway and soon discovered the Hernia Institute of South Miami. I was particularly impressed to what was in the web site, as They wrote out frequently asked questions, one of them
" I don't live in Florida. Do people come to the Hernia Institute from out of state"?
THEIR ANSWER WAS:
"Yes. In fact, about half of our patients are from outside Miami-Dade County. The Hernia Institute gets patients from all over the United States and Latin America. There is an active fly-in, drive-in program and a concierge program, and the staff is experienced in getting people from the airport to a local hotel, and then to and from the Hernia Institute. When patients come from out of the area, we try to arrange the schedule so they are examined in the afternoon, have surgery the next morning, and then are examined and sent home the next day - two nights in a hotel. Many patients, of course, take the opportunity to have an extended vacation in South Florida."
Now that in mind I called Hernia Institute of Florida Inc. I know that I must have now been in Pensacola to long, because everyone you deal with on the phone, gives good phone, but I can endure she did set me straight when it came to Ventricular Hernia's, by telling me the surgery is a little more complex, I would need an EKG and Scope from my physician. This was not a problem as my good friend is a Doctor in Miami and I still have just walk in the office authorization.
So, after hanging up with the most friendliest person in the world, I had to plan for my trip in Miami, and I was able to mix in a little bit of work related issues that I could take care of at the same time. This meant my time was limited, but I felt confidant that there would be no issues. This now became the crux of the matter. Why the finest surgeons in the world (eeehhh maybe) became the greatest one star business in the world.
As time neared I received a phone call on 03/17/2014 from the center for my appointment on 03/24/2014, the caller was very friendly and nice and thinking she was calling to confirm I was more then happy to tell her that I would be there with bells on. She told me "Well, the doctor has to leave early on that day and we have to cancel your appointment". My response was your kidding, I'm driving 729 miles (exactly) to get there. She said yes I know, but the doctor has to leave early, but we can reschedule for Thursday 03/27/2014.
Well, this would not do, I guess the kindness they reserved for that internet question was out the window. Because a doctor has to leave early, one doctor and there institute goes into disarray, another doctor can't see me. He doesn't have an emergency, his Grand Mother isn't dying and the funeral is planned on the 24th, and if so get some other doctor to do my consultation. Yes, that's right the first appointment is just the consultation and not a surgical event.
Well, I terminated the relationship and hung up and that's when the expletives left my mouth. I called my Miami Doctor friend to get maybe a Hernia guy who could see me during my limited time period in Miami. My friend, being my friend laughed and laughed, and said why did they do that, that's crazy. I submit to you my second opinion.
I do not like this place, I've learned to follow a strong ethical value plan in life, apparently the worlds greatest surgeons don't know about business and making a customer happy! :_(