Let me begin by saying that I've been to two other chiropractors back in Oklahoma and Texas, prior to my visit to Vertical, and have somewhat of an idea of what to expect at a Chiropractic appointment. I also knew of my budgetary situation. So I called Vertical one day to ask one question: How much do your appointments cost? The lady on the other end said I needed to make an appointment for a free consultation. She told me that based on however the consultation went, I could be paying up to a $250 bill in X-Rays ($75 each for lower and upper back) and $96 for some test assessment thing. Since it was a free consultation, I decided to take the appointment. They led me through a somewhat dramatic tour of the facility and all the "rooms" and who they were dedicated to. When I saw Dr. Bobby, who was super friendly, by the way, he immediately said we needed to move into the next room across the hall within like 30 seconds of seeing me. Granted, I am not a chiropractor and I'm not sure what he would have otherwise been looking at to make the determination of the next step, but for me, it was quickly moving to the next room. He talked to me really briefly. I tried introducing myself and why I came to Redding, and while be definitely acknowledged it, it seemed like he was more focused on getting things done. He immediately wanted to do this test on my back. I took a proverbial step back and was trying to reiterate the free consultation aspect of things, but he said in order to move forward with any chiropractic care, I had to do the $96 test. He was able to waive the X-Rays, but the test was required. I was sitting there, red in the face with embarrassment. I had a rough few months financially and finally had a boost, which is why I chose to pursue my chiropractic care. I was faced with making a decision on the spot, which I was super uncomfortable with. I gave in and agreed to this test. Then there was a whole lot of him leaving the room, another lady coming in, and him coming back.
The test was helpful and I guess I have some idea about the state of my back. I eventually came around to getting the answer to my question I had called about: $49 for an adjustment. That was well beyond anything I could budget for. But I had already agreed to pay the $96 for that test. The adjustment was fine. Not like my favorite chiropractor in Texas, but each chiropractor has their own method and there was nothing wrong with Dr. Bobby's. Now, here's the other strange part of this appointment: when I offered my health insurance cards to the ladies at the front upon my arrival, the lady took them, but in hindsight seemed a bit perplexed or hesitant. When I brought up my financial concerns to Dr. Bobby, he said I would have to submit receipts to insurance myself and for the rest of the visit there was no offers for them to look into my insurance or what could be worked out in that vein. It was odd and as I'm writing this review, I'm still perplexed at how odd that was. I agreed to an adjustment since I paid for the test and because I was about to fly home for two weeks and thought an adjustment would be good before sitting a couple of hours in an airplane.
After this visit, I emailed his office a long email, with no anger or frustration, just explaining (from the perspective of a Communications major grad) how the situation could have been better for me: explain the adjustment costs on the phone or at the bare minimum, per the expectations that had been set, have a free consultation with all of the information and then plan another day for the tests and X-rays, so the potential patient has time to think over everything and get their questions answered. I sent that email three months ago with no response thus far. That's why I'm writing this review. I now have questions as to whether their tactics are strategic and intentional. I want to make sure others have an idea of what to expect when arriving for their initial consultation.
Here's my final word: Dr. Bobby and his staff were very friendly, and I have no doubt the credibility and talent that he may possess. And I personally do not have anything against him, even if this visit was really disappointing to me. They just need to put less pressure on that "free" consultation. I still am trying to put together which part was free? The tour of the office? If I wasn't in the financial situation I was in, there is no doubt I would have continued my care with Dr. Bobby. Unfortunately I didn't have it, and a single question being answered over the phone would have saved me $150 and this review. As I told them in my email: was I mad or frustrated? No. Just incredibly disappointed because on the spot, embarrassed, had to make a huge financial decision and ended up making the wrong choice. read more
