I'm very frustrated with trying to get my injury treated. The surgeon that Concentra referred me to -- Dr. Schenk at Occupational Orthopedics -- told me at the beginning of the year that he needed an MRI and an A1C test before we could schedule surgery. We did the A1C test, but there was something fishy with the MRI, as they scheduled me at two different clinics on the same day for that. I went to one of them and got the MRI done.
Schenk met with me again, and gave me an appointment at his private clinic, and led me to believe we would be doing the surgery then. When I showed up for the appointment, he wasn't there, and his PA told me I needed an A1C test and an MRI. I told her we already did that; she said they had no record of it.
I did the A1C again, but that was early January; the holidays had just passed, and like everyone else in America I ate my face off for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My new A1C results were slightly higher than before. Schenk told me I had to get it back below 8.0, and then he'd schedule the surgery; he was very clear that this was the only obstacle. He put me off for two months.
Two months later I had another A1C test and had brought it down to 6.2. Instead of scheduling the surgery, Schenk moved the goalposts and said I had to pay to see a general practitioner for "managed diabetes care," in spite of my success at meeting his A1C requirements with flying colors. He said as soon as I could get a letter from a general practitioner saying my diabetes is under control, we could schedule the surgery. He put me off for a few more months. I protested this decision, since I've been successfully managing my diabetes with diet and exercise for years. Schenk got testy and a bit bullying with me about it; his attitude was that if you don't have M.D. after your name he regards you as some kind of moron. This, of course, was probably just another delaying tactic to squeeze more Workman's Comp insurance money out of prolonging my suffering.
At this point I told Concentra that I wanted a second opinion; they scheduled me for one at a clinic in Vancouver; on the day of the appointment they called me and said "Sorry, we don't do second opinions." All I got from Concentra about it were shrugs.
I then saw a general practitioner who concluded by doing an A1C test that my diabetes is well-managed and under control with diet and exercise, and he wrote a letter to Schenk saying so.
On my next visit with Schenk, he put me off again, saying he wanted another MRI and A1c test. He told me to go ONLY to a clinic called Rayus; he said he would not accept results from any other MRI clinic.
I got a text message saying I had another appointment with Schenk at Concentra; I showed up on time and waited an hour and a half past my appointment time for him. He walked into the examination room, glanced at some paperwork in his hands, and said simply "I don't know why you're here. Go home," before walking out again.
His clinic then made an MRI appointment for me, but not at Rayus, even though he was adamant that I only go to Rayus.
At this point I am convinced that Schenk is exploiting and prolonging my suffering so he can milk Workman's Comp for more money. He has consistently moved the goalposts on me, asked for the same tests repeatedly, etc. His stunt at our last visit when all he said was "I don't know why you're here. Go home," was certainly billed for.
I called Concentra yesterday and demanded a different surgeon. I have a right to a second opinion, and a right to reject this disgusting supercilious parasite who is prolonging my pain and loss of income for his own profit. Concentra said they'd work on it; they haven't gotten back to me.
I also called Schenk's private clinic -- Occupational Orthopedics -- and told them that Schenk told me to GO TO RAYUS AND RAYUS ONLY; they tried to brush me off, and I lost my cool and shouted at them that they would fix this or I would see Schenk in court.
A few days later I got a text message from Rayus asking me to contact them to schedule an MRI. I suspect the other appointment at another clinic hasn't been canceled. I have not contacted Rayus as I no longer wish to be under the care of Dr. Schenk.
I have now been injured and trying to get surgery for most of a year. I have not had a good night's sleep without the use of hydrocodone because my pain is at its worst when I am lying down. . . but I don't want to be a junkie, so I only take the pills once a week at most, in spite of the label saying "take one pill every six hours." FOR TEN MONTHS???!? I'd be hopelessly addicted by now if I did that; instead I have to suffer. And suffer. And suffer.
I admit to the extremely slim possibility that none of this has truly been deliberate, but I find that very hard to believe. . . and even if Schenk isn't milking me for Workman's Comp insurance money, then he and his staff are administratively incompetent; either way, he's FIRED and I urge you to seek treatment elsewhere. read more