Pediatrician (credit, price, bill)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by friday13

Y'all, I give you Charles, we can finally put a face to the name...

Naaa, He's much better looking than I am.


I'm so ugly that when I went to my proctologist, he stuck his finger in my mouth.
I was such an ugly kid - When I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up.
I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a sling shot.
I'm so ugly my mother breast-fed me through a straw.
I was so ugly, when I was born, the doctor slapped my mother!"
I'm so ugly - My mother had morning sickness - After I was born.

[friday13]

Originally Posted by Charles

Naaa, He's much better looking than I am.


I'm so ugly that when I went to my proctologist, he stuck his finger in my mouth.
I was such an ugly kid - When I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up.
I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a sling shot.
I'm so ugly my mother breast-fed me through a straw.
I was so ugly, when I was born, the doctor slapped my mother!"
I'm so ugly - My mother had morning sickness - After I was born.

Now, that's TMI.
Why did you have to ruin it for me, Charles, why?

But those were some very good descriptive observations, and as I know you are very thorough in providing accurate information, this must be true too.
We cannot have it all in life, ya know?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by friday13

We cannot have it all in life, ya know?

You can, if you take advantage of the grey areas in life.

I always have fun googling "perfectly legal" and "beating the system".

[Badger22]

Regarding Huntsville Pediatrics - we have been going there for 14+ years (since eldest was born). I think their doctors are very good, but have been very unhappy with changes in their office practices in the last year. They no longer will provide a full receipt the day of the visit, only a hand-done receipt of the payment received when asked. (I think they have completely computerized and outsourced their billing.) For anyone that files for reimbursement of co-payments for a Medical Savings Accounts, it means you have to call back a week later and ask them to mail the full receipt. They do this, but it's still a pain to have to remember to ask.

They have also given the nurses a "smart system" computer in each office, and the nurse has to drill down through a long list of questions to arrive at a suspected condition or something before the doctor will come in. A waste of time IMHO. Huntsville Pediatrics is HUGE, and thus pretty impersonal until you get to the doctor himself. I have no complaints about Dr. Klemm, just the business aspects.

On the other hand, we just tried a new, very young new doctor recently, close to where we live (save gas), who does give receipts (save time and hassle), in a small practice (2 doctors) in the hopes of a practice that is less impersonal. The physical exam was very quick and cursory. When I stated that I was surprised that there would be no lab work at all (not even a urine dip or blood stick for anemia [a female 14-year-old] or blood sugar despite a family history of diabetes), the doctor reacted like I was crazy, saying they NEVER ordered any sort of lab work unless the child clearly appeared to be ill. She walked out and ordered a full lab blood workup that she would have to have drawn at an outside blood lab "because I insisted" (I didn't) and sent us on our way. I never had it drawn. (what value is an annual physical if all they check is temperature, blood pressure, and listen to the lungs? She didn't even check the weight and height against the growth chart - just asked me if my child had lost any weight.)

Needless to say, we are sticking to Huntsville Pediatrics for now, though I would still like to find a pediatrician in Madison who is both thorough and has an office that is less impersonal. Does Cornerstone give receipts? How is their office staff? Do they do labwork as a part of their physical?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Badger22

Regarding Huntsville Pediatrics - we have been going there for 14+ years (since eldest was born). I think their doctors are very good, but have been very unhappy with changes in their office practices in the last year. They no longer will provide a full receipt the day of the visit, only a hand-done receipt of the payment received when asked. (I think they have completely computerized and outsourced their billing.) For anyone that files for reimbursement of co-payments for a Medical Savings Accounts, it means you have to call back a week later and ask them to mail the full receipt. They do this, but it's still a pain to have to remember to ask.

They have also given the nurses a "smart system" computer in each office, and the nurse has to drill down through a long list of questions to arrive at a suspected condition or something before the doctor will come in. A waste of time IMHO. Huntsville Pediatrics is HUGE, and thus pretty impersonal until you get to the doctor himself. I have no complaints about Dr. Klemm, just the business aspects.

On the other hand, we just tried a new, very young new doctor recently, close to where we live (save gas), who does give receipts (save time and hassle), in a small practice (2 doctors) in the hopes of a practice that is less impersonal. The physical exam was very quick and cursory. When I stated that I was surprised that there would be no lab work at all (not even a urine dip or blood stick for anemia [a female 14-year-old] or blood sugar despite a family history of diabetes), the doctor reacted like I was crazy, saying they NEVER ordered any sort of lab work unless the child clearly appeared to be ill. She walked out and ordered a full lab blood workup that she would have to have drawn at an outside blood lab "because I insisted" (I didn't) and sent us on our way. I never had it drawn. (what value is an annual physical if all they check is temperature, blood pressure, and listen to the lungs? She didn't even check the weight and height against the growth chart - just asked me if my child had lost any weight.)

Needless to say, we are sticking to Huntsville Pediatrics for now, though I would still like to find a pediatrician in Madison who is both thorough and has an office that is less impersonal. Does Cornerstone give receipts? How is their office staff? Do they do labwork as a part of their physical?

Good post; this benefits us.

I like to consider myself a customer first and a patient second. Doctors are businessmen. I'd bet most people's definition of "good doctor" is bedside manner and his salesmanship. How do lay people like me really know how good of a medical doctor, a scientist, he is? We don't. Hard to provide an objective opinion.

I'd rather go to a doctor who is a jerk but puts in the extra effort, orders the extra test, researches the extra minute rather than smiley prima donna Joe Weasel doctor.

I'm still steamed that Huntsville Pediatrics didn't call us back after two applications.

Cleveland doctor arrested, charged with drug fraud - Topix

Miami-Area Doctor Arrested on Several Counts of Insurance Fraud. (30-MAY-01) The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News)

News Release - Walton County Doctor Arrested for Medicaid Fraud

Doctor arrested on suspicion of workers' compensation fraud | Inland News | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

[CJ Bowles]

Hello! I live in Hampton Cove and moved here in September. Had a horrible time finding anyone to take anything other than a newborn. I tried Thotakura's office in Madison and Huntsville but would not recommend him as the offices appear to be less than sanitary - dirty walls/floors/split chairs. No separate well/sick area. I finally found Dr. JoAnn Johnson 256-539-5339 across from the hospital at Over the Rainbow Pediatrics. Still not what I was used to back in Phoenix, but better than Dr. T and separate sick/well areas although you do leave through the sick side even when you're well. Not too far to drive either and she has about 25 years experience. Anyway, welcome to the area! Good luck!

[blackkarma]

We use Huntsville Pediatrics, and from what I have been told, they are not accepting new patients, only newborns. We use Dr. Ellis and feel extremely lucky to have him. They are great, no complaints, and we can always get a same day if we need to. Always very accomodating and friendly.
I did hear Cornerstone in Madison was accepting patients, but then a few days ago someone told us that they were now only accepting newborns. Pediatricians are in short supply here, so when you can get established with one, you had better do it.

[sweethome09]

dr. fields was pretty expensive even with blue cross

[Charles]

Originally Posted by sweethome09

dr. fields was pretty expensive even with blue cross

Should be transparent to the insured. The insured only pays a copay after the deductible is met.

Now, if you are commenting on charges which are overridden by the contracted amount, then OK, but it still makes no difference. He can charge $69 for a band aid but if the contracted amount is $1, then that's what he gets.

[sweethome09]

no, his office went above the contracted amount almost always. and sent the bill to us.