This review is specifically related to their self pay/cash pay billing practices and the billing department. The fees for Established/returning patients are deceptively HIGHER than for new patients/1st visit. They do NOT have upfront fees and instead bill based on CPT codes circled by the doctor at the end of the visit for which you are at the mercy of the doctor for deciding. At core, CPT codes are tools for insurance billing and categorizing the length of time doctors spend with new vs established pts. I was switched to a new doctor last minute/morning of appointment for a quick, low complexity followup to a low complexity eye issue I had had the previous month as a new patient. I was in the building 30 minutes from checkin to walking to checkout. Dr Barbara Smith was in my room for less than 10 minutes, and she chose to bill me at a level Three established patient visit (by definition, spending 20 min or more in direct patient care). This fee was more than $100 MORE than my first visit as a NEW patient the previous month. I was taken off guard as I expected to pay at least similar if not less for a followup. I requested readjustment to a level 2 established patient visit based on the time spent and my issue. The billing manager said it is “not in their policy to adjust once the doctor completes the (paper) self pay bill” and “it is not their policy” “to discuss billing with the doctor after the fact” or even call back to clarify why Dr Smith billed as a more complex issue. If you don’t have insurance- I would caution against scheduling an appointment here. I will not be returning as it does both doctor and patients a disservice to refuse communication or explanation between the cost of care and the care given.
