When I scheduled an appointment with Angela Jones I had high hopes that my search for a new OB-GYN was at an end. My initial interactions with the front desk left me feeling like the operations were more than a bit disorganized, including leaving clients’ personal information in clear view of incoming patrons, but I was willing to look past this less than stellar start.
After waiting in the examination room for about 20 minutes, Angela came in to discuss some of my concerns about a recent test result I received from my primary care physician. She seemed engaging, confident, and knowledgeable and convinced me that no physical examination was necessary. I accepted her advice. In hind-sight I probably should have insisted on an exam since her recommendations turned out to be questionable at best and against mainstream thinking about management of my specific condition. After 15 minutes of discussion we parted ways and, at that time, I felt pretty sure that I had found someone who could help me stay informed and healthy over the long term. I could not have been more wrong in my impressions of Angela and her practice.
As mentioned, the medical advice I received was dubious at best and dangerous at worst. That alone should give anyone pause about continuing to work with Angela or any of her colleagues. However, that is not where this story ends.
A month after the appointment I was graced with a bill that totaled $275 for the pleasure of our 15 minute physical-exam free chat. Yes, that’s right: $275…nearly $20 a minute for bad medical advice. Feeling that this was an outrageous charge, I contacted Angela’s billing department to ask why I was billed at such a high rate for a minimal amount of service. Lisa J took my call and agreed to follow up with Angela to get clarification on the bill.
Over the course of the next 2 months I called 10 different times (more than once a week) to try to get answers about these insane charges. Lisa J always told me that she was “trying” to get a hold of Angela and that she would get back to me as soon as she heard anything. Really? If it takes two months to get an answer to a simple billing question, how long would Angela take to respond to a pressing medical query? Angela’s persistent non-availability became increasingly aggravating and, frankly, left me wondering how she could possibly mange to stay employed by being so aloof and disinterested with her clients.
After begging and pleading for resolution on my billing issue over the course of two months, I was finally left a message about Angela’s summary decision. Without explanation, I was told that she refused to modify the bill in any way. Payment was due, immediately. The complete lack of care for customer service signaled a collective failure on the part of all parties and let me know that Angela did not care about me as a patient, much less a person. Insulted does not even begin to describe how I feel about the way I was treated by Angela and her organization.
Angela and her group encapsulate everything that is wrong with our medical system today. No compassion, no accountability, no interest in anything beyond churning out patients to make a buck. Shameful behavior, all around. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of Angela or anyone working in the Simmonds, Martin, and Helmbrecht group. Don’t become their next unsuspecting victim.
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