I've been a UBMD patient for 10+ years, and unfortunately the communication has gotten worse over…read moretime. I never received a call back about a work letter I requested months ago, and last year I even ended up leaving two separate appointments because the doctor took over an hour to see me.
Recently, I went in for my yearly physical and left feeling frustrated, confused, and honestly shocked by the whole experience. I waited about 45 minutes, saw a student first, and then the doctor spent maybe five minutes with me. During that time she briefly mentioned something called a "Brook program," but didn't explain what it was. At the end of the appointment, she walked me into another room and told Russell (I'm still not sure of his title), right in front of me, that I was "very interested," even though I had no idea what the program even involved.
Russell gave a very vague explanation of the program, and when I asked for more details, the only response I received was, "They'll call you to see what you qualify for." I still don't know who "they" are or what the program actually entails. Despite that, he immediately asked if I wanted to sign up for "the whole shabang." I was also told that if I wanted to enroll later, I should text him directly because he blocks incoming calls, which didn't sit right with me at all.
What made this even more unsettling is that months ago I received a completely random call saying my doctor had "sent a script" for this exact program- something I had never discussed with anyone. At the time, I genuinely thought it was a scam call because nothing about it made sense.
The entire encounter felt less like healthcare and more like someone trying to sell me something. I can't emphasize enough how much it felt like being upsold at a car dealership rather than speaking with medical professionals I've trusted for over a decade. The pressure, the lack of information, and the way I was shuffled around made me seriously question why this program was being pushed so hard. It definitely made me wonder if there is some sort of incentive or partnership tied to it, because nothing about the experience felt patient-centered or transparent.
What concerns me most is how easily an older or less tech-savvy patient could be talked into signing up for something they don't understand. If I walked out feeling confused and pressured, I can only imagine how someone more vulnerable might feel.
After more than a decade with this practice, this experience made it very clear- it was time for me to switch providers.
I went to a new doctor today, and the difference was night and day. I was seen and out within 30 minutes and had a simple, straightforward conversation about my health. No vague programs, no pressure to sign up for anything- just a normal doctor-patient visit. It was honestly a reminder of what healthcare should feel like.