So, my kids and I were patients at Four Rivers Internal Medicine for over 3 years. They were fast and cheap which mattered because though my children have insurance, I do not. I don't go to the doctor often, only when I'm really sick. I initially went there for my non-narcotic medication for panic attacks that I get every month. They would give me 6 months of refills and, then usually would refill them again over the phone as I was a patient. From time to time, they would ask me to come in to make sure things were okay with the medicine. Usually about once a year, perfectly reasonable. Well, today I called to get refills on my medication. I was told that, since I wasn't an "established" patient they couldn't refill. I was then informed that being a patient for over 3 years, having over 20 visits myself and 60-ish when my kids are added, did not qualify me as an established patient, especially since I hadn't been there since July (my 3rd appt. of the year). In order to be an "established patient" I need to fill out a packet that was different than the paperwork I filled out when I became a PATIENT initially. In order to do so, I would need to come in for walk-in to get meds (and pay), pick up a packet, fill it out, and come in for a "patient establishment" appointment (and pay) in order to get my medicine called in that they have been calling in for 3 years. It's pretty tough for a single dad paying child support and insurance for my children and then afford insurance for myself, which I cannot. It was nice to find someone reasonable to provide the minimal health care at a fair price to someone not covered by insurance. Unfortunately, Four Rivers seems to have morphed into agents of greed that has come to be expected in the industry. Shameful. read more
