This dr's office is a joke. Deserves negative stars. Used to be decent and somewhere in the past several yrs, it became trash. Gave them more chances than I should've, only because I've been going there so long and it's a hassle to switch doctors.
In all the yrs I've been there, never saw Dr. Ayala, only different NP's, but they were decent. However the last NP I saw, spoke in a condescending tone when I asked questions concerning my health and the person taking my vitals made me feel like I was inconveniencing her.
I had to deal with another person when I scheduled a 2nd telehealth appt in order to fill a prescription (that he originally prescribed incorrect dosage for, and you know 2 appts means 2 copays. ) He was very difficult to understand, and it didn't help that he spoke in a singsong manner. I kid you not. It was the oddest "dr's visit" I've ever had. He also sounded like he was reading from a script, and it felt like I was speaking to an offshore customer service rep for some company, rather than my healthcare provider.
Front office staff rarely pick up the phone. At first, they picked up once in a while. Now they don't pick up at all. One time I got through and was transferred to Elizabeth Diaz's line (the one who makes appts). I left vmail and never got a call back. I tried texting the number given on her vmail twice. 2 wks later, still nothing.
After 2 wks of repeatedly calling, I finally got a live person and made an appt. At my appt, I asked Elizabeth why she didn't return calls/texts. She sounded defensive and said she was out sick for 2 wks. So while she's out sick, no appts can be made? And why did the other woman transfer me to her knowing she's not even there? Even after she returned to work, I still didn't get a call back and it had been another 2 wks that had passed. One month total.
I randomly received a copay bill for a visit from almost a yr ago. I had been in the office and also did 2 telehealth appts in between, and nothing was ever mentioned about a balance. Plus, I always pay copays immediately, so I knew it was a mistake. I normally use my credit card but that particular visit I had paid in cash. Imagine if I hadn't kept all my receipts, I'd have no proof that I paid. I dug through my receipts, found it and called and called and finally got through to Elizabeth. She said she'd email me so I'd have her email in order to send her the receipt. Never got an email.
I brought it to the office at my next visit. Instead of just taking a copy of the receipt, I was told by Elizabeth to text her a photo of the receipt (which I did right then and there), and she will take the balance off my record. (I heard the patient before me arguing about a missing copay as well.) I was scheduled a follow up appt before I left. The next time I came in, Elizabeth told me I had a balance for a copay. Are you kidding me?? I showed her the text that I had sent her on my phone and she said "Oh, I forgot." That's it? She. Forgot.
I haven't been back for 5 mos now and I got a $45 charge on my credit card a few days ago. The same card that I used to pay for telehealth appts in the past but never asked for it to be kept on file. $45 isn't my copay so not sure where that random amount came from. I tried calling their office numerous times the past several days, no answer. My only option is to go to their office (but why should I have to take time out of my day to do that?) or dispute it with my credit card company. It'll be a hassle since I have that card on file for many autopay accts and it will need to be deactivated if I dispute. But it's my best option since I don't know if this dr's office will charge me again.
There are other things I could say but I think I've written enough to warn any person thinking of going here. DON'T. I am not exaggerating. Spare yourself the frustration and disbelief of how this business is still up and running. I'm switching doctors immediately. read more