I wanted to have my 4 bottom teeth straightened out so I went to an orthodontist. This orthodontist told me I had TMJ and that he didn't specialize in TMJ so I should go and see a specialist. I was referred to Dr. Silegy by my dentist.
I booked my appointment 2 weeks in advance with the receptionist at this office. She told me that my consultation with Dr. Silegy was free of charge and that I needed to bring in my referral slip. I explained to her over the phone that I had PPO insurance and that it wasn't necessary to bring in a referral slip. The reason I pay so much more for PPO insurance is so that I don't need a referral. The receptionist told me it didn't matter what kind of insurance I had, that I needed to bring in referral paperwork. I rolled my eyes on the other end of the phone and said okay to this clueless receptionist.
I got to my appointment 20 minutes early and was given paperwork to fill out. I filled out the usual forms; medical history, HIPAA act, and a form agreeing to pay 20% of my co-payment. I was then told by the receptionist that the doctor couldn't see me because I didn't bring in any referral paperwork. Having to take a half day from work, I was livid to hear this. I asked to speak with her manager. The office manager comes out to talk with me and says, "well obviously we need something from your orthodontist stating you have TMJ and if it's on your left side or right side or both sides." I couldn't believe how rude she was to me so I said, "well obviously I came to Dr. Silegy because he supposedly specializes in TMJ cases unlike my orthodontist and if he specializes in TMJ, I'd like to think he should be able to tell me if the TMJ is on my left side or right side or both sides. Are you telling me Dr. Silegy won't be able to figure it out? I didn't realize I needed to bring an instruction manual in with me for Dr. Silegy to follow, I was under the assumption he knew what he was doing." After that exchange of words, the office manager said she would have the doctor see me.
After waiting an HOUR, I had some X-rays taken and was finally seated in a room to meet with the doctor. He informed me that although my jaw pops in and out, I do not have TMJ. I thanked him for his diagnosis and time and I thought I was done with this nightmare of a visit.
I was told to go to a back room and talk to the woman in charge of the finances (I believe her name is Melissa) of the office. I was a little confused considering I had just been told I didn't have TMJ so we wouldn't need to proceed with any treatment. I sat down with Melissa and she explained to me that I owed $230 for my consultation and X-rays. I told her I was told over the phone that the consultation was free. I also told her I understood that X-rays cost and that I didn't mind paying for those, just as long as she billed my insurance first. After she billed my insurance, I would pay for whatever insurance didn't cover. That wasn't enough to satisy Melissa. She told me I had to pay the entire $230 right then and there. I told her I was positive my insurance would cover at least a small portion of the X-rays so that she needed to submit the bill to my insurance company first. She had a form printed out (I'll post it to Dr. Silegy's yelp page in the photos area) that she kept insisting I sign. I took a photo of the form on my phone so that I would have proof that I never signed it. To feel that uneasy about a dentist's office forging my signature is a feeling nobody should ever have to feel. I told Melissa I was going to call my insurance company right in front of her and verify that they weren't going to cover a penny of these X-rays or consultation fee. The look on her face made it very clear she never contacted my insurance. She looked shocked, her hands were shaking and started stumbling over every other word that came out of her mouth. My insurance company was closed by the time I called so I hung up and informed her that I made this appointment 2 weeks ago and that when I made the appointment, I gave the receptionist all of my insurance information. She could've easily verified my information in those 2 weeks, called me and let me know that they didn't cover any of the $230 bill that was sitting on her desk. Melissa was able get out the words, "well I wasn't able to contact your insurance until today, I needed your signed HIPAA Act form to call your insurance company." That was her response. I was stunned, I actually called her a moron and asked if she even knew what the HIPAA Act was. She wasn't able to give me an answer as to what it is so I'm assuming she didn't know what the HIPAA Act actually is. I told her that her verifying my insurance coverage has absolutely nothing to do with me signing the HIPAA Act form and that I wish her the best of luck in court because that's about the only way she was going to get her money. Dr. Silegy seems to have great feedback but his staff are some of the biggest idiots I've ever come acros read more