I was 'seen' by Dr. Goldman in the Clinical Decision Unit of CHOMP's main hospital on Holman Highway 2+ months ago. Let's begin with his treatment. He spent 15 seconds with me, was dismissive, rude, condescending and a general 'doddering' old fool. I have since read his notes and his in-person 'visit' behavior was extended to his notes. He did not review recent blood work, thought that I was walking around with my IV because the treatment was helping - NO, I was walking because the beds are insufferable for anyone with a back problem and they had to move me from room to room, and pretty much indicated that I had no idea what treatment I was receiving. The notes 'generated' by Dr. Goldman appear to have been derived from the mind of an old man who has lost his faculties. I need to receive another treatment and have asked CHOMP/Montage if he is scheduled for the date of my planned visit. If so, I will reschedule with my wonderful doctor, who works in the ER.
Then, let's discuss his 'office'. I keep receiving notices from my SECONDARY insurer indicating that they will NOT pay this claim as it has been denied by Medicare. I have almost an inch of paperwork on this so-called 'visit' by Dr. Goldman. I have called CHOMP, Medicare, and my secondary insurer and among the three of us, we have been given at least 8 phone numbers for his so-called 'billing' department. In total, I have expended at least 8 hours of effort on trying to get this bloody idiot paid. A COMPLETE waste of my time!
Most of the numbers provided indicated that he only works 4 hours at their location on a periodic basis and that they have NO responsibility for his billing. I finally found a bill from a FABULOUS nurse practitioner who had worked in the same capacity as Dr. Goldman the week before I saw him. I called their billing number and yes, they do bill for Dr. Goldman - at least while he is doing one of his periodic stints at CHOMP. After much hemming and hawing, they told me that they had resubmitted my claim to Medicare on November 3rd. I spoke with Medicare on November 30th, and they told me that the claim had been denied due to a coding problem. I was able to obtain the correct code from Medicare (thank God Medicare negotiates for about 10 cents on the dollar of the billed amount, which for Dr. Goldman's services would be EXCEEDINGLY generous) and wanted to provide it to the 'agent' from his billing office. Well, he had spoken with the 'coding department' and they were in the process of resubmitting the claim - I think that will now be 6 times. However, the agent, who was very nice, could 'neither confirm nor deny' whether they were using the correct code, which I provided to him.
I have informed Monterey Bay Observation Medicine (Goldman's sometime-billing office) that, should I receive an invoice for them when I have both Medicare and Supplemental Plan F (time of the line) insurance, I will dispute it to the high heavens. And, should they attempt to ruin my credit score, the wrath of God shall be visited upon them.
My entire experience with Dr. Goldman has led me to believe the man should RETIRE!!! To the woman who has been helped in the last year, perhaps he should stick to addiction therapy rather than Emergency Medicine as, based upon my experience, he is NOT well-suited to this type of work. In fact, I plan on having my chart noted that I REFUSE treatment from him! Rather die from natural causes than his intercession. read more
