Does anybody have a recommendation for a GP in the Mayfair area? I've had the same Dr since I moved here and his office PO'd me off so bad this morning I won't be going back.... I did let his nurse know what happened and she didn't have anything to say.

This is what happened so my post makes sense... I had a doctors appt. at 8:00 this morning to go over lab work and such and after driving halfway across town in rush hour traffic and three schools where traffic was jammed up I realized I forgot my billfold. They wouldn’t see me if I didn’t have the deductible. I’ve been going there for almost 5 years and have always paid my deductible and they do this crap. They actually wanted me to drive back home and bring the deductible back. Needless to say I was not a happy camper and I'm still not.

That never would have happened with ObamaCare . . .
Or if Marcus Welby or Ben Casey were President. =)

Here's MY little story (a work in progress =):

Back in April, (APRIL) I somehow became "a victim" of an out-of-the-blue malady, apparently related to the dreaded "shingles", that caused a rashlike outbreak on one side of my forehead/scalp and also involved significant swelling, redness, and watering of my left eye. Since vision is so important I immediately made an appointment at a supposedly "in-network" subsidiary of a well-known "eye-specialist." Some sort of really expensive pills, eye-drops and salve were prescribed. I followed the directions for all prescriptions to the letter. I also made three or four re-visits to the doctors' office for the prescribed follow-ups. Each time I paid what the desk girls asked, thinking that this was my co-pay and the rest would be/was being picked up by my insurance. Apparently, the treatments worked as expected and the problem went away in a matter of a couple of weeks.

All good, right?

Upon returning from vacation--and picking up the mail at the post office IN SEPTEMBER--I discovered an envelope containing a bill from this well-known eye-specialist's subsidiary. The bill indicated that I owed them just under $200. It indicated that my insurance paid less than $4.00 against the charges due. Rather than being outraged or whatever I plan on checking with my "insurance provider" to see if all of this has something to do with my deductable (this is the only "medical claim" I have had anything to do with in nearly a decade).

Here is The Problem (as I see it): The FIRST bill from the "Provider" has all but $30 and change as "Past Due 120 Days". This could negatively affect my "Credit Score". To wit: How can the FIRST bill show a "PAST DUE" Amount? BTW: The $30-and change is also "PAST DUE".

I'm thinkin' that there are some potential "damages" here . . . (for "OfficeStaffSloth" or whatever).
Do you suppose a "formal letter" requesting an accurate, updated billing (showing all charges as Current Due) with a promise to pay upon receipt would yield results?
I will pay the amount currently due if it has something to do with the fine print on my insurance plan, but I'm afraid that the CREDIT RATING of this particular "health care provider" has suffered potentially irreparable damage.

P.S. to RH: Never leave home without your wallet. Unless you keep your Driver's License and Proof of Insurance in the Vehicle itself. =)
And thanks for the opening to "vent" . . . I hear that "stress" is a contributing factor to "shingles" =)

RM it took 4 months for me to get over the shingles. Afterwards I got the vaccination & would advise anyone that's had chicken pox & is over 50 to get it also.

Yeah . . . But once you have had shingles, the vaccine doesn't work.
I would vote for un-shingled, "chicken pox" victims to get the vaccine, but not "shingles" sufferers/survivors.
(no kidding. the anti-shingles ad ain't lyin'. they just aren't telling the whole story)

That never would have happened with ObamaCare . . .
Or if Marcus Welby or Ben Casey were President. =)

Here's MY little story (a work in progress =):

Back in April, (APRIL) I somehow became "a victim" of an out-of-the-blue malady, apparently related to the dreaded "shingles", that caused a rashlike outbreak on one side of my forehead/scalp and also involved significant swelling, redness, and watering of my left eye. Since vision is so important I immediately made an appointment at a supposedly "in-network" subsidiary of a well-known "eye-specialist." Some sort of really expensive pills, eye-drops and salve were prescribed. I followed the directions for all prescriptions to the letter. I also made three or four re-visits to the doctors' office for the prescribed follow-ups. Each time I paid what the desk girls asked, thinking that this was my co-pay and the rest would be/was being picked up by my insurance. Apparently, the treatments worked as expected and the problem went away in a matter of a couple of weeks.

All good, right?

Upon returning from vacation--and picking up the mail at the post office IN SEPTEMBER--I discovered an envelope containing a bill from this well-known eye-specialist's subsidiary. The bill indicated that I owed them just under $200. It indicated that my insurance paid less than $4.00 against the charges due. Rather than being outraged or whatever I plan on checking with my "insurance provider" to see if all of this has something to do with my deductable (this is the only "medical claim" I have had anything to do with in nearly a decade).

Here is The Problem (as I see it): The FIRST bill from the "Provider" has all but $30 and change as "Past Due 120 Days". This could negatively affect my "Credit Score". To wit: How can the FIRST bill show a "PAST DUE" Amount? BTW: The $30-and change is also "PAST DUE".

I'm thinkin' that there are some potential "damages" here . . . (for "OfficeStaffSloth" or whatever).
Do you suppose a "formal letter" requesting an accurate, updated billing (showing all charges as Current Due) with a promise to pay upon receipt would yield results?
I will pay the amount currently due if it has something to do with the fine print on my insurance plan, but I'm afraid that the CREDIT RATING of this particular "health care provider" has suffered potentially irreparable damage.

P.S. to RH: Never leave home without your wallet. Unless you keep your Driver's License and Proof of Insurance in the Vehicle itself. =)
And thanks for the opening to "vent" . . . I hear that "stress" is a contributing factor to "shingles" =)


Shingles aside I rarely forget my billfold and today was one of those times. I've been wanted to find a Dr. closer to where I live anyway.

You can join Angies List and get Drs reviews there.

Roadhawg, what you described is an abomination. Were I in your situation, I would raise all kinds of hell with the physician and the office staff.

You would raise hell over your own error?

Sorry...While I feel for you...I wouldn't be angry at THEM for ME forgetting my wallet. My doctor has a big sign on the desk that basically says "you pay the copay before we see you, period". If I didn't have my wallet, I'd talk to the receptionist and explain my situation. See if we could re-schedule in an hour or so. If they were willing to see me without it and bill me later (because, like you, they know me quite well), well then that's great of them. I wouldn't expect it though. They're a business, and they have that policy for a good reason...People don't pay them all the damn time.

Like I said, I feel for you...But "firing" your doctor over this just seems silly. I'd fire mine if he were across town though. I have to go to the doc frequently enough, I can't do cross-town appointments.

I agree.

This is one of the reasons my dad taught me to stash some petty cash in my glove compartment. I actually keep one of my health insurance cards in there, too...

If you find a good new doc, though, report back. I haven't visited a GP since I had my physical for sports my senior year :/

It's really hard to find a good GP who has the time to be thorough. Malpractice fees and office expenses have risen far faster than doctors' fees, and so many GPs have to herd people through just to pay their overhead and have a bit left over. That's probably why your doctor's secretary has been told to be hard nosed about payments. Some GPs are barely keeping their heads above water financially. One of my lawyer friends was deposing a local GP for a court case and said he was shocked when he found out how low his annual income was. Unlike medicine, the government hasn't put any price controls on legal fees.

We have gone to Dr Charles Womack for years. I would recommend him.
Deaconess Family Care
3705 NW 63rd St Suite 201
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
(405) 946-3373 (Office)
He rates high on Angies list too.

I have one of my bank cards numbers memorized and had you done that it probably should have worked in your situation RH.

You would raise hell over your own error?

Sorry...While I feel for you...I wouldn't be angry at THEM for ME forgetting my wallet. My doctor has a big sign on the desk that basically says "you pay the copay before we see you, period". If I didn't have my wallet, I'd talk to the receptionist and explain my situation. See if we could re-schedule in an hour or so. If they were willing to see me without it and bill me later (because, like you, they know me quite well), well then that's great of them. I wouldn't expect it though. They're a business, and they have that policy for a good reason...People don't pay them all the damn time.

Like I said, I feel for you...But "firing" your doctor over this just seems silly. I'd fire mine if he were across town though. I have to go to the doc frequently enough, I can't do cross-town appointments.

Like I said before one of the reasons I want to switch doctors is to find one closer and not have to go cross town. I couldn't reschedule because my day was filled up and this was the only time I was able to go.

We have gone to Dr Charles Womack for years. I would recommend him.
Deaconess Family Care
3705 NW 63rd St Suite 201
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
(405) 946-3373 (Office)
He rates high on Angies list too.

Thanks for the info !!

I don't have a need for a doctor on a regular basis - just yearly checkups and maybe a shot here an there for allergies or an infection. I have been going to Dr. Hirsch at Metro Medical. His location is downtown (bad for some, great for others).

I like him because he has always gotten me in right away, always tests your blood right then and there to determine if its viral or bacterial and doesn't let you leave until you sit down with him in his office to make sure all your questions were answered. There is a pharmacy across the hall if needed. Plus, he will accommodate your insurance requirements. Last time I was in they noticed my insurance did not use their blood lab for yearly physicals. They said they could send it to their lab anyway (I'd be charged) or I could go to the insurance lab and the results would be sent back to the doctor. I choose that route and saved some money.

Hirsch, Jeffrey MD - Metro Medical Association Clinic in Oklahoma City | Hirsch, Jeffrey MD - Metro Medical Association Clinic (405) 232-3111 & 120 N Robinson Ave, #153w, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | <Health & Beauty/Doctors & Clinics/All> - Yahoo! US L (http://local.yahoo.com/info-18461926-hirsch-jeffrey-md-metro-medical-association-clinic-oklahoma-city)

Thanks !!