Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Run, not walk to another surgeon, and complain to the office while you are at it. I definately think that anyone who makes you feel like that should send up red flags in itself Donna in VA LAP RNY 9-18-06 315/265/171 Still Stalled This is a follow up to my " vent " post, since so many of you took the time to offer suggestions and help. I waited all morning, since I know how crazy Monday mornings can be at a doctor's office. Called at 1PM, and got the liaison on the phone. Her voice changed the second I told her who I was. She didn't even let me get anything out before she poured out a litany of how busy she was Friday and today and won't even get to check back with the insurance company until late tomorrow. Then, she gave me a behavior lecture about how it was wrong of me to send the directions for getting the proper information via email (I used the email address listed on their website, and addresed it " To " her name so there wouldn't be any confusion, as I figured it probably wasn't necessarily only her email addy) how when I do that it's not her address and it's " not fair " to someone else because they have to print it out and give it to her. She did not give me her actual email addy, however. She had also given that addy to me to attach my records, since I couldn't fax a file that big. How was I to know sending anything else was a no-no?? Also pointed out that what they got from my skin surgeon wasn't the right thing. When there, they gave me a form to fax to my skin surgeon because I had a cancerous lesion removed from my lip in the spring (which I noted on their forms.) They said I needed clearance, and gave me that form to fax, which I immediately did. She said it was the wrong thing, that he only sent my records and she needed CLEARANCE (said it slowly, like I was a moron.) I told her I merely faxed to the doctor the form she had given. She said that even if she couldn't get the proper answer from the insurance company that she'd go ahead and send in the clinical review (pretty amazing, since he's never seen me.) ONLY IF I GET APPROVED will the surgeon see me at that time. Pretty weird if you ask me. How can a surgeon send in a clinical review when he hasn't even done a physical, hasn't even seen you in private?? What do you all make of this? Should I kiss this nonsense goodbye and go to another surgeon? When I got off the phone, I had this vague feeling like a 3 year old who has misbehaved and mommy called me out. I feeled like I just went through a behavior lecture, which at my age, doesn't sit really well. She was very dismissive and not nasty, but hm...the proper word escapes me...maybe " disapproving. " Like I had bothered her. I didn't hound her - heck, this is the first time I've spoken to her since she dropped that bomb on Friday afternoon. I barely got a word in edgewise this time, so it can't be anything I said. I did nothing but try to get the proper information to her on every count, every piece of information she asked for. Ducks in a row - that's the type of person I am. Anyway, any advice you can give would be appreciated, as I'm feeling really bad right now. Has anyone else had an experience like this?? --Cat We are a very active support group. If the email becomes overwhelming, please change your setting to NO EMAIL! Please contact Group Creator Robyn@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 > > Run, not walk to another surgeon, and complain to the office while you are at it. I definately think that anyone who makes you feel like that should send up red flags in itself > Donna in VA > LAP RNY 9-18-06 > 315/265/171 Thank you, Donna, for validating my feelings about this. I guess I'm feeling most disquieted about a surgeon who submits his predetermination clinical review on the basis only of what's been written on the 12 pages I had to fill out. Maybe he contacts my PCP, but I've only been with her a month, so how much valuable info can she have? He's never examined me, never seen me as a patient, so how he can have sufficient information with which to submit a clinical review, I don't know. And just to clarify what I wrote about for her telling me I didn't get proper " clearance " sent to her, the form she gave me and told me to fax to the dermatologist's office only asked that records be sent! So I did exactly what she told me, and now she tells me it's not right. He's supposed to be a great surgeon. He has trained many of the other surgeons in south Florida. He has invented the actual procedure for closure of the pouch to the small intestine that is used! But I guess it doesn't matter if his front line treats people like this. I'm a middle aged woman, and I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid or like I'm a child. I guess I WOULD be pretty stupid, however, if I continued to allow myself to be treated in this way. I have the usual self-esteem issues that all people with weight problems have. This has helped me work through all this. Thanks for letting me bounce this off of you guys. --Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 I think you need to find out her supervisor is and let them know what you think. This is utterly ridiculous and horribly unprofessional of them. It sounds like is that all they want is your money and could care less about you. Lin Lhsh@... American by birth, Saved by the grace of God. Still Stalled This is a follow up to my " vent " post, since so many of you took the time to offer suggestions and help. I waited all morning, since I know how crazy Monday mornings can be at a doctor's office. Called at 1PM, and got the liaison on the phone. Her voice changed the second I told her who I was. She didn't even let me get anything out before she poured out a litany of how busy she was Friday and today and won't even get to check back with the insurance company until late tomorrow. Then, she gave me a behavior lecture about how it was wrong of me to send the directions for getting the proper information via email (I used the email address listed on their website, and addresed it " To " her name so there wouldn't be any confusion, as I figured it probably wasn't necessarily only her email addy) how when I do that it's not her address and it's " not fair " to someone else because they have to print it out and give it to her. She did not give me her actual email addy, however. She had also given that addy to me to attach my records, since I couldn't fax a file that big. How was I to know sending anything else was a no-no?? Also pointed out that what they got from my skin surgeon wasn't the right thing. When there, they gave me a form to fax to my skin surgeon because I had a cancerous lesion removed from my lip in the spring (which I noted on their forms.) They said I needed clearance, and gave me that form to fax, which I immediately did. She said it was the wrong thing, that he only sent my records and she needed CLEARANCE (said it slowly, like I was a moron.) I told her I merely faxed to the doctor the form she had given. She said that even if she couldn't get the proper answer from the insurance company that she'd go ahead and send in the clinical review (pretty amazing, since he's never seen me.) ONLY IF I GET APPROVED will the surgeon see me at that time. Pretty weird if you ask me. How can a surgeon send in a clinical review when he hasn't even done a physical, hasn't even seen you in private?? What do you all make of this? Should I kiss this nonsense goodbye and go to another surgeon? When I got off the phone, I had this vague feeling like a 3 year old who has misbehaved and mommy called me out. I feeled like I just went through a behavior lecture, which at my age, doesn't sit really well. She was very dismissive and not nasty, but hm...the proper word escapes me...maybe " disapproving. " Like I had bothered her. I didn't hound her - heck, this is the first time I've spoken to her since she dropped that bomb on Friday afternoon. I barely got a word in edgewise this time, so it can't be anything I said. I did nothing but try to get the proper information to her on every count, every piece of information she asked for. Ducks in a row - that's the type of person I am. Anyway, any advice you can give would be appreciated, as I'm feeling really bad right now. Has anyone else had an experience like this?? --Cat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006 ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Unfortunately, Lin, I don't think she has a supervisor. She is the only one in this capacity in the office, so she has autonomy. It truly is a mill. When I went last week, they had made the appointment to " see the doctor. " They charged me my co-pay when I checked in, and showed me to a conference room where 3 others eventually came in a and we all sat around a table. We were shown a video of the doctor talking, then he actually came in. It was basically an information session - that's all. So although I have " seen the doctor " I have not been seen by the doctor, if that makes sense. Is this like anyone else's experience? It does sound like big money mill. So why bother to talk to anyone about it? I'll just move on and go with the next surgeon, assuming he's better. It's a much smaller-scale operation and I've talked to someone who actually had her surgery with him and she raves about him. He's not as experienced as this one, but I think the care I'm going to get is better. I've been reviewing all of this in my head and I just don't like the way it sounds, so I've arrived at the decision that it's time to move on. Thanks for weighing in on the issue! --Cat > > I think you need to find out her supervisor is and let them know what you > think. This is utterly ridiculous and horribly unprofessional of them. It > sounds like is that all they want is your money and could care less about > you. > Lin > Lhsh@... > American by birth, > Saved by the grace of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 By the way, I had another thought. The other surgeon for whom I attended a mandatory information session did not charge me anything to attend. This doctor charged for what was deceptively said was an appointment " to see the doctor " and he didn't even think enough of us to deliver the information in person. He had us watch a boring video of him talking! THEN, he showed up to take questions. AND he charged me as if it were an actual appointment. Red flags galore here, as was said earlier. He may be very prominent, but he is also very greedy. --Cat > > > > I think you need to find out her supervisor is and let them know > what you > > think. This is utterly ridiculous and horribly unprofessional of > them. It > > sounds like is that all they want is your money and could care less > about > > you. > > Lin > > Lhsh@ > > American by birth, > > Saved by the grace of God. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 What do you all make of this? Should I kiss this nonsense goodbye and go to another surgeon? --Cat > YES Cat...Run Run Run do not walk!!!! ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Cat, I would recommend writing a letter addressed to the surgeon. His secretary will get it and I bet when she tells the doctor how you have been dismissed and treated like a child. Wrath will fall in his office. If he is as great a surgeon as you stated he will not permit his staff to behave in such a manner, because it will effect his repatation, therefore effecting his business. This is a personel problem that needs to be addressed. If you decide to try another surgeon, express your concerns as how this office treated you up front. Hope it all works out. > > This is a follow up to my " vent " post, since so many of you took the > time to offer suggestions and help. > > I waited all morning, since I know how crazy Monday mornings can be at > a doctor's office. Called at 1PM, and got the liaison on the phone. > Her voice changed the second I told her who I was. She didn't even let > me get anything out before she poured out a litany of how busy she was > Friday and today and won't even get to check back with the insurance > company until late tomorrow. Then, she gave me a behavior lecture > about how it was wrong of me to send the directions for getting the > proper information via email (I used the email address listed on their > website, and addresed it " To " her name so there wouldn't be any > confusion, as I figured it probably wasn't necessarily only her email > addy) how when I do that it's not her address and it's " not fair " to > someone else because they have to print it out and give it to her. She > did not give me her actual email addy, however. She had also given > that addy to me to attach my records, since I couldn't fax a file that > big. How was I to know sending anything else was a no-no?? > > Also pointed out that what they got from my skin surgeon wasn't the > right thing. When there, they gave me a form to fax to my skin surgeon > because I had a cancerous lesion removed from my lip in the spring > (which I noted on their forms.) They said I needed clearance, and gave > me that form to fax, which I immediately did. She said it was the > wrong thing, that he only sent my records and she needed CLEARANCE > (said it slowly, like I was a moron.) I told her I merely faxed to the > doctor the form she had given. > > She said that even if she couldn't get the proper answer from the > insurance company that she'd go ahead and send in the clinical review > (pretty amazing, since he's never seen me.) ONLY IF I GET APPROVED > will the surgeon see me at that time. > > Pretty weird if you ask me. How can a surgeon send in a clinical > review when he hasn't even done a physical, hasn't even seen you in > private?? > > What do you all make of this? Should I kiss this nonsense goodbye and > go to another surgeon? > > When I got off the phone, I had this vague feeling like a 3 year old > who has misbehaved and mommy called me out. I feeled like I just went > through a behavior lecture, which at my age, doesn't sit really well. > She was very dismissive and not nasty, but hm...the proper word > escapes me...maybe " disapproving. " Like I had bothered her. I didn't > hound her - heck, this is the first time I've spoken to her since she > dropped that bomb on Friday afternoon. I barely got a word in edgewise > this time, so it can't be anything I said. I did nothing but try to > get the proper information to her on every count, every piece of > information she asked for. Ducks in a row - that's the type of person > I am. > > Anyway, any advice you can give would be appreciated, as I'm feeling > really bad right now. Has anyone else had an experience like this?? > > --Cat > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Lin, at this point, I believe you're right. I got to thinking about charging me for a consult visit when it was just an information session. It now makes perfect sense why they charged me a copay! They take the information I wrote down on their 12 pages, and send it into insurance for approval as if they had actually taken this history and examined me, without so much as having to lay a stethescope on me. Easy way to get out of doing the actual pre-op exam and hasten the process. Can we say " insurance fraud " ??? --Cat > > I think I would definitely be looking for another surgeon at this point. I > had some issues with my surgeon and fortunately he is tied to the hospital > where I had my surgery and I emailed the head of marketing and public > relations and that got some things straightened out. > > Lhsh@... > American by birth, > Saved by the grace of God. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Hi Cat, I would say it's time to look for another surgeon. If this is how they treat you now before you even need to really bug them they will probably not be too great to deal with when you need them. You want to feel if you call the office even for something small that they would act like you are a bother. I called my office so much that the girl knew me when I called and she was always so nice and sweet. I would even tell her I'm sorry to keep calling and her reply was " That's what I am here for. " so that made things nice. So Cat, see if you can go to another surgeon, since you haven't even seen this one yet. Well Good Luck Hun, ~ in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Wow Cat!!! That seems so wrong. Not to mention unethical! Run girl, run!! Fast!! in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 The trouble with writing a letter that it's the secretarial/clerical staff that will intercept it. My experience from working in a dental front office is that they usually stick together. I'm sure that letter would never reach the doctor. It could be easily put through the shredder and no one would be any the wiser. Paranoid, I know. But why would a receptionist/secretary pass on a letter that expresses a ligitimate complaint about a non-medical (secretarial) person? Where's the incentive to do that? But plenty of reason not to and no proof that it ever arrived. Sounds like a waste of time, considering their other antics, like sending in the clinical review without so much as even taking a blood pressure first. Nice racket. I'm with you, , and all the others who said I should run. It took me awhile to piece this all together, but I don't like what the puzzle is turning out to show. I don't trust him and nothing could ever make me trust him. Not his officious patient/insurance liaison, not his nurse, and not him. His whole approach is sleazy and dishonest. In fact, I think I may follow up with insurance and ask what procedure code his office submitted for payment of my information visit last week for which I was charged a copay, then when they tell me it's for an examination (I'm sure it will be) I will tell them that there must be some mistake that the doctor laid eyes on me across a room and talked, but never examined me or even so much as asked a question about my medical history. Let's let the insurance company sort his scam out. That, to me, is MUCH better than writing a letter. Don't get mad; get even. They messed with the wrong fat lady this time!! Good thing I have an appointment to see another surgeon. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but sadly, they called last week and had to re-situate it to next Wednesday. But hey, what's a few more days?? Thank you again, all of you who have helped me work through this. Like everything else, it was a process... --Cat -- In GastricBypass-LOSERS , " Lin Hunnicutt " wrote: > > I had not thought of that idea, but it is a great one. If you can get to > him, believe me, he will listen because he doesn't want to lose money. > > Lhsh@... > American by birth, > Saved by the grace of God. > > Re: Still Stalled > > > Cat, > I would recommend writing a letter addressed to the surgeon. His > secretary will get it and I bet when she tells the doctor how you > have been dismissed and treated like a child. Wrath will fall in his > office. If he is as great a surgeon as you stated he will not permit > his staff to behave in such a manner, because it will effect his > repatation, therefore effecting his business. This is a personel > problem that needs to be addressed. If you decide to try another > surgeon, express your concerns as how this office treated you up > front. Hope it all works out. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Hi Cat, Good Luck with the next surgeon you see, he is bound to be a better choice with better office staff. As for the letter, I agree with the person who said the staff may intercept it, because I too work in the medical field and people do stick together. so that probably wouldn't work. Good Luck, ~ in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 The email has to be printed out and handed to her? That's a pretty pathetic email system if it doesn't provide for simple things like FORWARDING a message. The rest of this is very confusing probably because I understand so little about office administration in the trenches and the short cuts therein. I have little to offer. Maybe set an appointment with the surgeon if you can except that it sounds like you're being blocked from that. There's a lot of control here and none of it is yours. If it's easy for you I'd check into someone else because this sounds like even if you do get where you want to it will only be with great effort and trepidation. > > This is a follow up to my " vent " post, since so many of you took the > time to offer suggestions and help. > > I waited all morning, since I know how crazy Monday mornings can be at > a doctor's office. Called at 1PM, and got the liaison on the phone. > Her voice changed the second I told her who I was. She didn't even let > me get anything out before she poured out a litany of how busy she was > Friday and today and won't even get to check back with the insurance > company until late tomorrow. Then, she gave me a behavior lecture > about how it was wrong of me to send the directions for getting the > proper information via email (I used the email address listed on their > website, and addresed it " To " her name so there wouldn't be any > confusion, as I figured it probably wasn't necessarily only her email > addy) how when I do that it's not her address and it's " not fair " to > someone else because they have to print it out and give it to her. She > did not give me her actual email addy, however. She had also given > that addy to me to attach my records, since I couldn't fax a file that > big. How was I to know sending anything else was a no-no?? > > Also pointed out that what they got from my skin surgeon wasn't the > right thing. When there, they gave me a form to fax to my skin surgeon > because I had a cancerous lesion removed from my lip in the spring > (which I noted on their forms.) They said I needed clearance, and gave > me that form to fax, which I immediately did. She said it was the > wrong thing, that he only sent my records and she needed CLEARANCE > (said it slowly, like I was a moron.) I told her I merely faxed to the > doctor the form she had given. > > She said that even if she couldn't get the proper answer from the > insurance company that she'd go ahead and send in the clinical review > (pretty amazing, since he's never seen me.) ONLY IF I GET APPROVED > will the surgeon see me at that time. > > Pretty weird if you ask me. How can a surgeon send in a clinical > review when he hasn't even done a physical, hasn't even seen you in > private?? > > What do you all make of this? Should I kiss this nonsense goodbye and > go to another surgeon? > > When I got off the phone, I had this vague feeling like a 3 year old > who has misbehaved and mommy called me out. I feeled like I just went > through a behavior lecture, which at my age, doesn't sit really well. > She was very dismissive and not nasty, but hm...the proper word > escapes me...maybe " disapproving. " Like I had bothered her. I didn't > hound her - heck, this is the first time I've spoken to her since she > dropped that bomb on Friday afternoon. I barely got a word in edgewise > this time, so it can't be anything I said. I did nothing but try to > get the proper information to her on every count, every piece of > information she asked for. Ducks in a row - that's the type of person > I am. > > Anyway, any advice you can give would be appreciated, as I'm feeling > really bad right now. Has anyone else had an experience like this?? > > --Cat > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 My surgeon is at a university hospital so $$ is not their primary focus. There is also a lot of recourse if there are issues. You might check out that possibility. > > > > I think you need to find out her supervisor is and let them know > what you > > think. This is utterly ridiculous and horribly unprofessional of > them. It > > sounds like is that all they want is your money and could care less > about > > you. > > Lin > > Lhsh@ > > American by birth, > > Saved by the grace of God. > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006 > > ---------- > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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