I just had one of the worst experiences in a medical office that I've ever had. Worse, it didn't…read morehave to be this way. But this is who these people at Levy Dermatology are. This morning when I arrived before my appointment I was told that my primary care physician had not sent my information over to the dermatologist. I did not have my ID or insurance information on me because I assumed that that information had already been sent over. There was a general rudeness and dismissive attitude from the administrative staff here that would urge you to find somewhere else for your dermatology needs. I'll explain: After getting a referral from my PC, I received no less then four text messages from Levy Dermatology in the proceeding four days, even on Sunday. I never answered those texts because I never consented to receiving them nor do I think that someone should be texted by a doctor's office four times in four days. That's ridiculous. So when Chloe at the front desk said "We don't have the information" and asked if I had my ID and insurance cards on questioned why there was a disconnect between them texting me four times and not having that information nor mentioning that they did not have the information in those tax. You have enough info to text me four times but apparently you need all this other data in order to see me? When I asked for Chloe's name at the counter, she was very reticent to do so, as with many in the south in their "southern hospitality" way. I asked for names because it helps personalize the conversation and applies of an ear of friendliness that makes conversations easier. I used her name a few minutes later in conversation and she snarled back "Please don't use my name."
To be honest, even if I had the ID with me at the time, I would've been reticent to hand it over, because 1) I don't believe that they need to see my ID. It's just a doctor's office, I'm not receiving nuclear materials, buying a weapon, there's no need to provide proof of identity. It's balderdash as corporations pay lip service to privacy concerns, even as they remain cavalier about demanding said private data. Doctors offices are no different, in fact, they're probably the worst offenders. In a world of data breaches, malware attacks, and hackers, i am rather disinclined to relinquish a digital copy of my drivers license to my local doctors office that they'll keep stored on their computers in perpetuity. But because many Americans don't ask these questions businesses like Levy Dermatology make these demands with impunity. I was told that I would not be seen this morning without my ID forever.
When the office manager Kaylee came out and said they wouldn't be able to see me without my ID, I asked for the policy in writing. That should take two minutes max, you look up the file you print it out, you hand to me. I stood at the counter for 15 minutes waiting for them to get me their privacy policy in writing. After receiving it, I asked if we could step aside so I can could address her. She was very cordial, Kaylee gave her name without complaint or reticence and we engaged in conversation about the policy. It wasn't heated. It wasn't abrasive, but I was trying to get her to understand that if I complain to her corporate overlords, then nothing would change; the admin at Levy dermatology is not gonna make meaningful change, but when the cogs in the machine, the office workers, the nurses that changes the paradigm. When they start to question why these policies are in place that's when the system overall affects change. Too often, workers except the policy as the reason for the policy. "I have to do this because the policy says I have to do this," it's the ready-made answer to "Why is the policy in place?" What I want people to do is to question why the policy exists. We should ask ourselves "What's the motivation behind this objectively nonsensical policy?" and perhaps we can find a way to change it.
As Kaylee and I discussed the matter, her manager, Laura, marched over out of nowhere to make matters worse. Feigning a welfare check on her employee when really she was just a short tempered cop there to antagonize, Laura immediately launchd into a "Well, if you don't like it, you can leave" lecture. Kaylee and I were fine, we were having a disagreement, but voices were not raised, insults were not thrown, but Laura just had butt in and make the situation uncomfortable and refuse to deescalate, even when asked to kindly stay out of it. Arms crossed, unfriendly snarl, Laura was there have any excuse to ask men to leave. I'm sure she brings the same energy when she asks to speak to the manager at Target.
