UPDATE: AFTER COMMENT BY OWNER -
The owner tried to respond…read morewith a very distorted explanation. You deserve the truth. 1st paragraph -Mostly true except where she says: "We are sorry to hear this interaction left you feeling dismissed...That was never our intention." That was exactly their intention. Instead of her speaking to me, or asking me to come and discuss the problem, she had the receptionist call me back, and specifically say: "If you cannot accept our policy, we must cancel your appointment and cannot provide service." That is nothing if not an intentional dismissal.
NEXT PARAGRAPH: She says she wants to clarify their Assumption of Risk policy, and says it does not state "patients are responsible if our office is unclean or unsanitary." THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS, NOTICE THAT I PUT IT IN QUOTES BELOW. Unfortunately, several neighbors suggested that I post it here as a policy, but they banned me from the site so I have no copy. If the owner wants to say it isn't correct, let her post it here. I can pretty much guarantee she won't. That was the whole reason for my call was that 1 statement! I thought I read it wrong, and wrote that in my original review. Her response is unprofessional conduct where she is outright lying to the public to make her company look good and me bad. Well, I had been on a license board for a related industry in 1 state and the Chairman of a license board in another state. Our job was to protect the consumer from practice owners trying to take advantage, and that is what I am trying to do with this long review. I know what regulations are, and this is not something that is normal or even in the regulations in AZ as claimed...BUT IT DOES EXIST FOR THIS PRACTICE. When I asked, Alexandra said "I never heard of that" and then called back to say IT IS THE POLICY. Again, I challenge the owner to post the policy here - without editing! It is not a standard informed consent document as claimed. The practice I will now go to, does not have it, nor do ANY of the medical professionals that I called. Most thought it absurd. It is. She even talks about general travel risks to and from the clinic. That is because in addition to the ridiculous portions related to the office, their policy also states that if you get in an accident on the way to the office - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. I would not agree to that and be rear ended as I have been (never your fault) or have someone run a red light ( happens often, but not the fault of the person with the green) They may want it to be your fault, but it isn't. It also has nothing to do with this practice, unless they use it to say you no showed an appt & will be charged.
ORIGINAL: The only reason for 1 star was the receptionist or patient care coordinator (Alexandra) tried to be helpful. Other than that, I would stay far away from this practice.
I was referred here from an Ear, Nose and Throat physician, for help with a speech problem. As usual, they had several forms to fill out. One was called an "Assumption of Risk" policy. I know most don't read forms in doctors offices, but you really should. This form had things in it that I never heard of before.
One said: "If our office is unclean or unsanitary and you become sick, it is your responsibility." Wait.... what was that? I get sick because their office isn't clean and it is my fault? Essentially, anything that happens in their office and something happens to you, it is your responsibility. They, take no responsibility for anything! So, I guess, something falls off a shelf and hits you on the head... your fault. You sit in one of their chairs and it breaks, and you fall and break a bone... Yes - your fault! On the other hand why would you want to go into a dirty "professional" office to start?
I was a little confused why they would have such a policy. So I asked if I was mistaken in how I was reading it. Alexandra said she would ask the owner, because she wasn't aware of it, and call me back. She did, called me back, and said they were canceling my appointment and would not see me. They made the appointment without problem, but I guess because I asked a question about a policy - they dropped me like a hot potato, before my first appt. Seems strange to me, especially with the referral coming from the doctor... but me - if I were you, I would run from this office and never set foot inside. Of course, don't ask questions, they don't like either. You'll be better off, well maybe not - but at least you won't be denied professional help that the doctor decided you needed. READ FORMS!!!
As I told them I would, I went back to the doctor's office to get another referral to an actual professional, and when I told them what had happened, they couldn't understand the policy either. Said it made no sense, and it doesn't. I got a referral to a different practice. You, again I would stay away from this office. My opinion, but as always, that is the truth.
