My wife and I have been patients at the practice for 30 years (Dr Carmen & Associates and then Dr Gregorio & Associates). My wife's primary doctor moved away and we decided to try a new doctor in the group. My wife' first encounter was generally satisfactory; however, she had to wait over 45 minutes to be seen by the doctor. A follow-up visit was scheduled for April 5 at 11:40am according to my calendar. We were pulling into the parking lot when her phone rang at 11:41am. She could not answer since the phone was in her purse behind her seat. When we entered the reception room, there was nobody at the reception desk. Shortly, the receptionist poked her head in and asked us to wait a minute. She then took us, but said that our appointment was for 11:30am, we did not answer the phone at 11:41am, we were now three minutes late (11:43am) after a 10 minute grace period and we had to leave and reschedule. When I got home and accessed the 11:41am voicemail, it said that we did not show up for the appointment, did not answer the phone, and would be assessed a no-show fee. I called to complain about the fee and was told of that it would be reversed since we did show up. I then wrote a letter to complain to Dr Gregorio about the unjustified treatment we had received. On April 15, we received a $25 no-show bill. I called the practice and was told again that the fee would be reversed and that Dr Gregorio was on vacation. My wife wants to seek another practice that values the health of their patients rather than refuse to seem them if they are alleged to be between 0 or 1-3 minutes late when the doctor makes them wait over 45 minutes. It is disrespectful, inconsiderate, and totally unacceptable, and unjustified. read more
