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Review content:
here it a news article about the this "great" clinic
located on wate's website
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Over the last two months, five people have called 6 On Your Side to complain about the services they received from a doctor at an emergency clinic.
This report examines the complaints of two women who went to that doctor.
Last May, Bonnie Berry accidentally slashed her finger on a staple protruding from a garden stake and needed medical attention.
And in September, Emma Salmon, a big Vols fan, didn't feel good. Her daughter and son urged her to see a doctor so they could get together to watch the Vols play on pay-per view that weekend.
Both women went to Powell Minor ER, a walk-in clinic. They say Dr. Bryan Smith told them he takes cash or credit card payment only, no insurance.
But Emma questioned the receipt for $290 handed to her before going in the exam room. "When I saw that, I said, 'Hold it, what's this for?' He said, 'A consultation.' I said, 'There's been no consultation.' He said, 'I let you in the door didn't I?"
Emma said she immediately went out the door, left the clinic and saw another doctor.
Bonnie Berry was also initially charged $290. The charge was made to a credit card belonging to her sister, Martha Green.
Remember, Bonnie had a cut finger but she says the doctor told her she also has high blood pressure. "The bottom line was, he wanted an additional $1,400 and something dollars to treat me. I told him that I couldn't afford that. I just wanted my finger stitched."
Unwilling to pay an extra $1,400 for stitches and high blood pressure medicine, Bonnie left Dr. Smith's office and went to the Parkwest Hospital ER. The cost for stitches there was just over $600, according to records.
6 On Your Side called Dr. Smith requesting an on-camera interview. He refused, but said to put our questions in writing.
We emailed them to him but Smith said he couldn't comment about Emma or Bonnie's cases because of federal privacy rules. He would need a signed agreement from them.
Emma and Bonnie both signed a HIPAA privacy agreement. 6 On Your Side had them notarized and sent to Dr. Smith. After nearly two weeks, he has not responded to our questions.
But there's more to this story. Bonnie's sister, Martha Green, showed 6 On Your Side a nine page letter Smith wrote in August to Green's credit card company after she disputed the charge of treatment to her sister's finger.
In the same letter, Dr. Smith claims he spent an hour and a half treating Bonnie. "He calls us both ingrates," Martha says.
Dr. Smith also sent Bonnie an invoice in August for $6,365 because she refused to pay for treatment. He threatens alleged fraud and theft.
Frightened by possible legal action, Bonnie paid Smith personally. "I think that the $290 fee was steep for soaking my finger in a pan and being asked medical questions," she says.
Cindy Heiskell received an email from Dr. Smith after she wrote him saying she intends to complain to the medical association over the way he treated her mother, Emma Salmon. "The greeting says, Dear Cindy Heiskell, area arrogant twit."
Besides calling her a twit in his email, Dr. Smith says, "Credits are issued at the doctor's discretion. Your case is a bust and may be reason for us to bill you further for your insane troubles."
Cindy received a second email, this time to her business computer. She's a teacher. In it, Dr. Smith says, "I know those above you in the school system's chain of command."
"Well it sounds to me like he's threatening me. It sounds like he's trying to get me to be quiet about this matter," Cindy says.
The Better Business Bureau has received seven complaints against Dr. Smith. They're about billing practices and services.
He has resolved two complaints. Legally, there's not much patients can do about service once they signed agreements like the ones Bonnie and Emma signed.
With their signatures on the papers, Dr. Smith calls them a patient's promise to pay agreement.
"Should I default by leaving in the middle of the visit, left completed or uncompleted, with the physician's declaration of 'against medical advice,' I promise to pay Bryan Smith, MD," the agreements say.
In a statement, Dr. Smith's attorney claims the patients were charged a consultation fee for spending time with the doctor and are not due a refund.
Emma Salmon and Bonnie Berry say Dr. Smith did tell them, you're leaving against my advice.
So what can patients do? Before you sign anything, take time to read agreements, especially before handing over your credit card to anyone, even if it's a doctor.
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