...First off let me start by saying this is not about the service. I feel that the Doctor I saw was a 1st rate surgeon. But this office is the issue. I was referred to Forest Hills Oral Surgery by my dentist to have 7 teeth removed. We had to wait a month for insurance approval. We agreed on a date for the surgery. I had to postpone this appointment for 2 weeks because the Forest Hills receptionist didn't understand that Medicaid Surplus requires that I make a copayment (spendown)before it's activated. Ok, it's only 2 weeks and don't we all have to work around the incompetence of others. No big deal.
...My teeth were removed and now I had to wait 4-6 weeks to heal before being fitted for my dentures. ... but there was a complication. After 6 weeks being toothless I developed a hole between my mouth and nasal passage. So I went back. The surgeon sent me to have a CT scan of the area. I had this done and went back the following week thinking this needed a small procedure and that would be that. I told him I had a family commitment for several months in northern Connecticut and asked if we can get it done this week. ( this was monday) He said he'd call me and it could be done at his Brooklyn office. He didn't. He called the following week and we agreed I'd come to the Avenue U office on wednesday, the week after that.
...Northern Connecticut to home in Queens is a 5 hour trip by public transportation so I left on tuesday afternoon for my wednesday appointment. Wednesday morning I take the 2 hour trip by bus and subway from Southern Queens to Southern Brooklyn. When I get to the Avenue U office I try to make the copayment to the receptionist. There are two of them but neither one would take my money. They never heard of a Medicaid Spendown. So I try to explain it to them. Then a large unnatractive woman with glasses came from an inner office and explained to me how Medicaid works. She says I have to pay for any service up front and then I bring the receipt to Medicaid for reimbursement. I explain that I need to pay a copayment to have my Medicaid activated. .... This is how it works!
...She says quite loud that she's been working with Medicaid for many years and that Medicaid Surplus, my insurance for nearly 20 years, does not exist. What a look on her face as she announced this to her staff and a room full of people, She's discovered a scam artist! I asked to speak to the Doctor at this point to which she replied ""No you cannot see the Doctor. He knows nothing about these matters."" I left, having been refused treatment and humiliated, for that long 5 hour journey back to Connecticut. .......... (Medicaid Surplus......GOOGLE IT YOU IGNORANT OFFICE ORNAMENT!!!!!!!!) It's been 11 weeks without teeth in my mouth and now I find myself having to look for a new oral surgeon to complete the job.
...Although the Doctor is an excellent he surrounds himself with incompetence. If you have a copayment you should be leery of this practice. If you have Medicaid this place is a must to avoid.
Mike T ..... toothless for 12 weeks and counting
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