I do not typically check Yelp prior to making medical appointments, however, I was verbally warned about this practice. Specifically, I was informed clients had paid money and did not receive services. I was not given any information about actual treatment, so I chose to move forward with a consult. When you are unwell you tend to be desperate for help, and because patients seeking treatment here most likely present with high acuity needs, I've decided I should review my experience in regards to the consult and office staff ... I never even received recommended treatment because of the poor customer service.
The front office gentleman, Gio, was professional, responsive and processed intake paperwork prior to my consult. I would give him 5 stars.
The psychiatrist consult was okay ... the assessment wasn't very thorough in my opinion, and the treatment explanations were dumbed down. I asked questions about research, screening measurements and outcomes but I was provided very basic answers; the psychiatrist told me she couldn't, "actually recall how the medication worked" and "oh yeah, we use screening tools". I was also told to be prepared to wait for "months" before insurance would authorize treatment. When I expressed my surprise about the waiting period since the patient clientele is literally struggling with life-threatening despair the psychiatrist said, "it used to take 6-months". My initial gut feeling was that I would be on a patient conveyor belt.
The worst part, however, was the lack of empathy and poor professionalism demonstrated by the back office employee, Brenda. Six weeks after my consult, I was contacted by the specialty pharmacy that a request was submitted for the practice to receive my medication shipment. This prompted me to call my insurance for the approval so I could make an appointment for treatment. Though my insurance, and my credit card, were both billed immediately after the consult, the treatment authorization request was NEVER submitted. I had to ask that she completed the simple, basic healthcare transaction that should have been completed 6 weeks prior. I did tell Brenda that delaying insurance authorization is below the quality standard of care, and it leads me to believe that they may be holding off until appointments become available -basically stringing along desperate patients. I was told that was not the case, and I could go somewhere else if I wanted. Of course I can, but who says that to a patient? Things can sometimes fall through the cracks, and typically the correct response is an apology and then attempts to correct mistakes for a patient to receive prompt care. When I had asked about availability, she never responded. When I finally did receive the insurance approval, I emailed her and called the office, and left a message. No response whatsoever. It is shameful for a practice to do that to a patient. Gio did ask me to call him back if Brenda never got back to me. I'm not going to beg for help at this point; it has been far too long and the lack of professionalism is apparent, and I ultimately do not trust them. Time has been wasted at the detriment of my health.
I had a consult with another practice and the provider was extremely kind and thorough, utilized an appropriate, validated screening tool, explained the research and mechanism of action, and even discussed genetic testing that I had in the past and how that could impact treatment. Prior to my consult I asked the office how long it usually takes for insurance treatment approval. I was told at most, 2 weeks, and they've never heard that it can take months. I know a previous authorization was previously approved with Mind Care, but I was approved in less than 7 days and on the books for my treatment within in the same week with the new practice. read more