This one star is for the CAO Physical Therapy (PT) center on 18th St., because not only reflecting poorly on a front desk staff, but also their management. Front desk staff can break or make a practice, and the front desk person here definitely breaks it because she is unbelievably disrespectful, condescending, quick to become defensive and combative at the most insignificant question asked by customers. I waited before writing this review to be fair and compare, because I contacted several PT facilities, and asked the same questions to make an informed decision, and the interactions went absolutely different. Here is what happened. I need PT for several issues and since this 18th St. PT facility is within CAO practice, I decided to call them first a few days ago. Front desk individual asked "what body part you want to treat first?" I was not expecting to have to choose considering that I am dealing with pain all over, so I asked to clarify what that meant and why I had to choose, to which her response was "because it is what it is." I explained that I did not appreciate the response and I was hoping to get more information to make an informed decision, and whether that was that facility's process or if there was another reason. She was hellbent answering that "that is what it is because that is how we do it," so I asked her to let me speak with someone else because I honestly did not understand at the time why I had to choose to treat one portion of the body when the rest is also in pain. Because at the time there was no-one available to give me a reasonable answer, we agreed in that someone else would call me. In the meantime, I called a few to compare, and after learning from this individual's response, I asked those other centers first, if I had to choose to treat one part of the body and why. These other front desk staff tactfully and respectfully explained the situation. I did not make appointments in those places because commuting was not great, and I was still hoping to get an appointment at 18th St. Then, a director from the 18th St. called and was more reasonable in her explanation. Basically, it comes down to back-and-forth between insurance and service provider, between insurance not wanting to pay as much, and some profitability because the more appointments, the more billing opportunities. I could not schedule the appointment then with this director when she called, because I was dealing with a family/home emergencies. I called today to finally schedule the appointment, and the individual who first answered my call a few days ago, asked what part of the body again, so I said I wasn't sure yet because in reality everything hurt so obviously my hope was to address the issue at once and asked her to explain how that would work. In response, she said "I don't know what your problem is but you have to choose." That did not go well and things quickly escalated. I told this individual, that whatever happened to her in morning, did not take it on me, because I just asked an honest question and she was clearly uncapable of performing her job in a humanizing and respectful manner. She put me on hold without saying anything, then came back on the line confirming an appointment, and insisted that "I had a problem". I asked her to refrain from talking to me in that manner, and asked for her name and she said "I don't have to give you my name but if you want to complaint, just come in and tell them that is me in the front desk," to which I responded that that was validating how inadequate she was to do her job and work with people. She burst out laughing telling me that I was "disrespectful" to which I responded that I had just asked an honest question seeking guidance to make an informed decision about my care, but for some reason she was ready to take it on me whatever she was dealing with, which was inappropriate. The call dropped, so I called and asked her to cancel my appointment and I hung up. I called a different PT location from within the same CAO system, I was asked the same questions, I asked and responded the same, and the interaction was respectful and informative. So different and very positive. If this 18th St. front desk staff feels comfortable talking to people so disrespectfully, not only reflects poorly on her, but management because there might be enabling conditions for this behavior be tolerated and condoned. In health care, customers and patients are not only dealing with their own ailments, but at times are managing other matters simultaneously and that causes stress and strain. If health care providers cannot handle the pressure with respect, manners and humanity, understanding the individual without being so sensitive and taking this personally such as the honest question I asked, then those individuals must not be interacting with patients and customers at all, and management must be accountable and hold them accountable, too. read more