posted
I was put on a waiting list to see a well known llmd in PA who is supposed to be great. I finally got an appointment 8 months later and made it. Two days later I get paper work to fill out and it states she only takes cash
I try and reschedule because I have no money (been treating almost 3 years)-I was going to put it on credit. The receptionist then told me-YOU MUST NOT BE THAT SICK!
I was floored and almost cried. It's bad enough no one will listen to us but when it's coming from our own community- that despicable-plain and simple
Just needed to vent that
Posts: 298 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The bad experience was not with the LLMD, which is good. However, for anyone in their office to extend such comments, well, that's not good at all for those who ARE so sick, just trying to find a way to see a doctor.
The doctor needs to be informed that the receptionist said that. The problem is - going through the receptionist to get to the doctor.
Is there an office manager you could talk to about this?
Be sure to communicate with the local lyme support groups, too. They may know how to get around that bad receptionist so that the LLMD is aware of the caustic comments. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I understand your comments, but the whole cash thing got me really mad. She charges more that any llmd in NYC(by (about 50%) and she charges extra to read your files.
I find this all disconcerting. Whenever anything is always based upon the money, I have my suspicions they are not in it for the good. Just my opinion
Posts: 298 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- There may be other LLMDs on the list that were not there the last time you asked you local support group. Since there are several reasons this seem to not be in alignment for you, I hope you can find someone else who has come to the forefront and will meet your needs.
Are you asking, then, for more suggestions here.
I will say, that although money is a huge matter for most of us it can take a very long time to pour through a patient's file and that is usually done with the eye and thought process of a detective. It's part of the diagnostic process.
You might find out how successful she is and if her track record has put more patients back out into life in better shape, sooner, it may be worth it. If not, you may well find another LLMD who will best suit you.
I do hope you still notify her of the insulting employee. Unless she is notified, she may not be aware.
Good luck finding the right care. I wish we all had the best and brightest guiding us and ways to obtain that. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I see a great doctor now and was only looking to her to go to if my doctor retired. My doctor spent countless hours with me and never charged for reading my chart
I just can't get past that and would tell others of it also.
Posts: 298 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
More fuel for the fire. I called her back today to cancel my appointment. I spoke with the office manager and told her how insulting and insensitive her comments were.
She told me that the doctor told her to tell her patients that and the doctor would call me. I'm not holding my breath but I am making it my mission to visit every lyme support group in my area to tell them about this incident. We don't need any more @#@##$ from people. We have enough already.
Posts: 298 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Did you voice your complaint with the same person or with someone different? I can't quite tell.
If with the same person, somehow, you need to bypass her to her supervisor. I would not assume she is speaking for the doctor and it is unfair to make that assumption. Sometimes, doctors do not know what their employees are doing or saying.
I do hope you can connect directly with the doctor to correct this. And then you can hear from the doctor's voice directly.
There has been a time or two when some bad employees nearly torpedoed a doctor's practice. This serves no one. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Siciliano
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15920
posted
I sent you a PM.
-------------------- I'm sorry but I am no longer accepting any private messages due to my own battle with lyme. Posts: 3897 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I don't understand what is going on. You were going to put it on a credit card and they refused? This is puzzling since they will get their money regardless. Or maybe they just aren't set up to take credit cards? Could this be the case? And, you know, credit card companies take about 5% of the total bill.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I believe you are probably talking about my doc's office. They do NOT take credit cards except if doing testing at a lab that will take them. But they are upfront with this info.
This doc is one of the most caring I have ever been in touch with. My lyme journey has been a long one but I am now 98% recovered and I had plateaued before seeing her. I now can live each day the way I choose to while maintaining without ABX for the first time in over 6 years.
Yes, it IS expensive. But what other options are there? The rates I pay are not outrageous and about the same as other well sought out LLMDs. The only shame is that you pay for medical insurance and then you pay again when you need real care.
I know that the receptionist can be cranky at times but she also must follow the doctor's orders.
I am fortunate that I can pay for my care, but I am frugal in so many other areas which makes this possible. There is no price you can put on good health.
But I can feel your pain when you must choose to eat or get healthy. Don't beat up the few docs who have helped us. They need to make a living and stay under the radar at the same time too.
And as the above comment states, there is a charge of 5% to use a credit card which would only drive the costs up higher.
Posts: 132 | From SE Pa | Registered: May 2006
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