As a rule, Orthotics companies are difficult to work with. They are often a noxious combination of the worst of the medical fields hubris and inefficiency combined with a level of incompetence that would have them removed from a position in the filthiest backdoor clinic.
I write this so that you can understand that a clinic operating with similar to the above parameters would rate a 2.5 in this field of practice, since I am familiar with it--and being familiar, expect nothing better.
That said, Pacific Medical may have created a lower bar for the other places to jump--no, crawl--over. This bar was not set during a single visit, but instead 4 separate visits over a calendar month to take care of a simple fitting and ordering of a very basic medical device which in many cases can be purchased OTC.
I have just left the office after my 3rd visit to find out why the item my doctor has told me I have to have has not come in, after I had been told in the two subsequent visits that it had been ordered with an estimated ship time of 3 business days. It has been well over 5 business days since my last visit, so I felt it would be a good idea to check.
Once again, the office manager had no clue who I was....although she was the person who fit my item and supposedly ordered it, and was the person I spoke to during my prior visit at the beginning of last week when it already hadn't come in after several business days. But hey, they see tons of people I'm sure....So I gladly reminded them of my personal info and waited.
After about 10 minutes I was called to the window and told the item was never ordered because the insurance approval had not come back.
I would have no problem with this as insurance companies can occasionally be difficult, except for two things.
1) I had been promised by this person that the item had been ordered after my initial fitting and second visit to their office.
2) I had advised them I would be more than happy to pay in cash for this item to expedite it and would deal with insurance later as I feared this exact situation would occur.
Bonus round:
3) I feel I was lied to on previous visits to cover their incompetence (maybe not following their own ordering procedures?) and out of a misdirected fear that I may not pay (See #2).
4) On one of my visits they had an employee working who was horribly ill. She was wearing a mask, but considering the health problems many people suffer who require Orthotics is it wise for her to be working in that office? Would a face mask protect us from her illness? Maybe? Even if she is sweating heavily and coughing?
In short, if you my insurance carrier you may have little choice but to go to Pacific Medical or out of town to get coverage (perhaps) for Orthotics. If that is the case, you would be well served to do extensive research before visiting Pacific Medical. read more
