I did not see Doctor Rifkin, I saw his PA: Mark Schlegel. The reason for my visit was that I was struggling to fall asleep, and that the quality of my sleep was awful. I was waking up feeling exhausted and as if I hadn't slept at all, and spent most days feeling fatigued and dying for a nap. My daily life was being affected by the lack of sleep: low patience, brain fog, poor concentration, etc. I did not have energy for anything.
I asked Mark's medical opinion on sleep supplements, and his suggestion was to: 'Wake up in the morning, turn on all the lights, and have sex with your husband!'
Due to his 'suggestion' I cancelled all future appointments. It was a completely disgusting, unprofessional, sexist, demeaning and not-at-all medically relevant 'suggestion.'
Perhaps he thought it was 'funny' - but I sure didn't. I asked a medical professional a medical question, and expected a relevant medical answer. I went here for help with my sleep and for help getting my waking life back, not for help getting my husband laid.
Also: their billing is weird. I did a virtual visit, and I paid it minutes before the 'appointment,' as the site suggests that your appointment can't happen without paying first. Months later, I received two bills in the mail: one for under $50 and one for over $200. I have no idea what I was even charged for. Then I received another statement in the mail, saying I could pay online. I logged in then paid the total amount due, just to be done with this gross place. And now two weeks later: I received another bill for that same $200+ amount.
I would not suggest this PA to anyone, but especially would not recommend this PA to women. I plan on contacting the NYS 'Office of Professional Medical Conduct' to see if I can report him. At this point, I am unsure if I am able to report him since he isn't even a real doctor.
By the way: Mark did 'diagnose' me with mild sleep apnea and tried setting me up with an expensive sleep machine. As it turned out, my long-haired, large-breed cat was lying on my chest as I slept, stretching out his arms and placing his big furry paws over my mouth and nose. THAT is why I wasn't breathing effectively at night. I've been keeping the cat outside of the bedroom when I sleep, and now I sleep just fine. read more