Shady Business Practices
I have a serious condition that got worse and needed attention. I called Dr. Thatcher and spoke with him this morning. We had a very nice talk and he offered an appointment later in the morning. But when I asked for his prices, things started getting odd.
He began grilling me about my insurance, which I told him doesn't cover chiropractic. Finally he told me his fee for an adjustment is $60. But he went on to say that if I joined some association or health group - whose name he mumbled - and paid their annual fee, he would only charge me $40 per adjustment. I thought that was odd, and told him I'd be happy to simply pay the $60 out of pocket for today. We agreed.
But when I arrived, everything changed. He began asking about my insurance yet again, and again I said I'll just pay the $60 out of pocket.
His reply was: "Oh, I can't see you if you don't join the association. And either way, today's fee is $120." DOUBLE THE PRICE HE QUOTED ME ON THE PHONE CALL.
Well which is it? If he couldn't treat me unless I joined his association, then why did he book me an appointment? Yet he was willing to go ahead if I paid him the inflated price of $120? I understand that initial visits are more at SOME practices. But guess what? Those practices tell you this up front. And they don't play 3-price store games with their patients.
This health provider, knowing I was in serious need of help was playing some strange game. You need to trust your health provider. It was clear I could not trust this man with something as simple as the price for his service. So I was certainly not going to trust him with my spine! I walked out, and as I did he yelled after me "Wait - wait - wait!! I'm sorry!" I have no idea if he is a good chiropractor or not. But I would not trust him.
PS: As a point of reference, I'm in my 60s and have been going to chiropractors for almost 50 years. Nothing like this has ever happened before. read more