I do not take pleasure in writing this review. However, I think people should know what they may expect when going to this Doctor's office. First, the staff is completely inept, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. They are only as courteous as they have to be, and the effort is apparent. The doctor's assistant, Vince, is "on the ball." I would give him kudos for his attentiveness.
My experience with the doctor. I went there for a leg injury that happened while helping install a fence on an individual home owner's property. The home owner was kind enough to file a claim with his insurance carrier to pick up the initial medical expenses. The doctor and his staff knew this.
After the initial ex rays and consultation I was preparing to leave the office when I received my copy of the doctor's notes, detailing my injuries and the visit in general. I caught two important mistakes in his dictated notes. One cited an injury to my right shoulder, which was never an issue, it was my left knee. The other was a note cited my right foot for an insert prescription, it was my left foot.
When I confronted the doctor about this he reacted very casually saying with all the paper work he is burdened with it is sometimes difficult to keep up with it, mistakes happen.
Not only did I find that comment to be cavalier, but downright scary. He appeared to be preoccupied with other matters on his mind and spoke so fast I had to keep excusing myself asking him to repeat what he said. I will say, after my MRI, when he did focus he was like a laser, which was the exception, not the rule in my experiences. Although you may think you are going to an orthopedic surgeon for your knee injury, he doesn't do surgery on knees, or anything below the belt line.
I paid the first bill and the insurance carrier agreed to pay each bill thereafter after I would submit the billing invoice from the doctor's office. The billing department is at a separate location somewhere in Santa Ana, CA. They billed me for a right shoulder ex ray, which I never received, nor was one needed. I had to wrestle with them to take it off the bill. Then, I had scheduled another appointment some time later, after having cancelled one made by the staff for me. April, at their remote billing department had called me to tell me the doctor's policy is not to treat people whose account is not paid to date. I informed her I had submitted the billing to the insurance carrier, and provided her with the number and name of the person handling the claim.
She assured me that made all the difference in the world and that there would be no problem for me to go to my appointment. I went to my appointment and was told the doctor would not see me because there was an outstanding balance. April said she had called the carrier's contact person but did not receive a call back. At the time I appeared for my appointment I explained that I spoke to April on Friday (this was now Monday), and she assured me everything would now be fine regarding payment. The doctor's staff member called April while I was waiting in the office, who then informed the staff member the contact person from the carrier's office had not returned her call yet. Based on that, they denied service to me. Needless to say, I was appalled.
I later called April to ask why that happened. She told me she had not received a call back from the carrier contact. I asked her if she bothered to follow up on my behalf and try calling her again on this day. She had not.
She told me the staff at the doctor's office knew they would not be granting service based on the fact that April had not received a call back from the carrier's contact person to verify payment. No one bothered calling me to inform me about it. In fact, I received a call on Friday from Vince (the doc's assistant) who confirmed my appointment. Then on Sunday, I received a canned message asking me to "press#1 if I plan to show up Monday," I complied.
In my estimation, what appeared to be more important to this Doctor and his staff, was money, not the well being of patients. Certainly his staff gave that impression. This may be why it is said he is good with kids, and even wears children themed clothing for their entertainment. Kids are less likely to recognize incompetence.
If you are in the process of seeking out a competent doctor, with an equally competent staff, I recommend continuing your search for one whose focus is on his/her patients' well being, not the bank account. read more
