I was supposed to have a pulmonary function test done today. Upon waking up this morning, I was called by the front office secretary, asking to move my appointment from 1 PM to as early as I could get there. Mind you, I live one hour away. I couldn't quickly get up and go, I had things to take care of, especially since I was prepared to have a few more hours before leaving. I ended up telling them that I could come in an hour and a half early, and despite this, when I got there, they still hadn't called my insurance to verify that I could get this test done. They had tried to tell me that it was my responsibility to call my insurance and get approved for the test, when this should be the billing and insurance department's responsibility. I decided to call the insurance anyway, and the woman on the phone told me "they need to call us". So I went back in, and told them what the woman on the phone said. I waited in the office, after driving for an hour, for another hour, just to be told that she couldn't get a hold of the insurance, and that she would have to reschedule me. This should've been something that was done well before my visit. i've never had to call the insurance myself, and ask for a test to be approved. That is the doctors office's responsibility. The entire office just felt unorganized, and unprofessional. I do feel a little bad for the woman in the front, because it seems to also be understaffed. There should at least be one more person behind the counter with her, to deal with the brunt of all the patients and the billing and the insurance. This was a very unpleasant experience, and I will be taking my business elsewhere. I don't recommend this practice solely for the disorganization, and inconvenience.
2 week later update: after dealing with this office and just trying to get a PFT done, i called a different doctor on the same day, got an appointment, and on the same appointment they did my PFT and everything has been good since. I don't recommend this practice at all. read more
