I have a problem with this doctor [Dr Sumana Gangi], her office practices, her office staff, and the reported practices at Southern Endocrinology and Diabetes Associates, PA. This disreputable practice, in my opinion, is located at 1621 N Belt Line Rd, Ste A in Mesquite, TX 75149.
First off, a doctor's office that overcharges you for their share of your deductible, then makes you wait months until insurance companies pay off ALL your office visits before they will return your money is wrong. I was repeated told over and over that that is their normal practice. It was their overcharge and their error - not mine. I tried to be patient, but three months is too long to have to wait for a refund of an overpayment which was their error to start with.
I also have a problem with an office that, when you try to escalate an office/billing issue makes it difficult to speak with their Office Manager [Stephanie] stating she's in a meeting, she's out of the office, etc. - repeatedly. Keep in mind that this Office Manager [Stephanie] has a cell phone.
Next, I am VERY concerned that, even after asking to see the doctor, I'm asked by the staff, "Are you a patient?" THIS, after my asking to be seen by the doctor on my two previous visits and instead getting a non-doctor. When I asked the Office Manager [Stephanie] about this, she advised me quite emphatically, that it was the office practice for someone other than the doctor to see you on your first two visits; that you don't get to actually see the doctor until the third visit. Sadly, I don't remember making an appointment with the doctor's medical assistant. When I ask to be seen BY the doctor, I should be seen BY the doctor. Plus, I don't believe insurance companies should pay the full contracted amount when the doctor/facility that has the contract with the insurance company is NOT the one providing the service. I plan on pursuing this matter further with the Texas State Insurance Regulatory commissions. I believe doctor's offices should be paid less when a doctor is not seen. I HAVE NEVER ACTUALLY SEEN DR SUMANA GANGI.
Also, I'm very unhappy with a doctor that will not give you the time of day when you have a problem with their Office Manager and/or other employees. The Office Manager [Stephanie] advised me that the doctor [Dr Sumana Gangi, Endocrinologist] had NOTHING to do with running the office; she ONLY saw patients (even though she NEVER saw me}. I asked if Dr Sumana Gangi owned the practice and the Office Manager [Stephanie] said yes. After questioning the Office Manager [Stephanie] further, she said the doctor would not see me about ANY office related issue and that she [Stephanie] had total charge, i.e., no one else to escalate my issue to. Bottom line, she did everything she could to keep me from communicating my concerns and issues WITH Dr Sumana Gangi.
Lastly, this Office Manager [Stephanie] had the nerve to say if they cut me a check right then that I would be discharged from their practice. I was unaware that office managers had that right - apparently this is another of their normal practices. I told the Office Manager [Stephanie] that it didn't matter that I wouldn't be back and I WOULD share my awful experience. She did not seem to mind.
They [billing staff, office staff, and office manager] continually pushed my buttons for over a week. I got angrier and angrier and louder and louder. They didn't seem to care except to push my buttons, then throw it back and my face that I didn't need to get so loud and/or angry. Quite honestly, I'm surprised I wasn't cussing like a sailor before it was all done. I did tell the Office Manager [Stephanie] that I was going to write bad reviews and she didn't seem to care - so here it is! read more