Dr. Enyati was assigned to me as a primary care doctor over 10 years ago, after scoliosis surgery. At the time, I was told if I had any dental procedures done, to always let the dentist know that I needed antibiotics prophylactically before any dental work. In May I did see a dentist, but she said since it had been that long, the antibiotics were probably no longer necessary, and gave me a release form to have signed by my primary physician.
I couldn't find a fax number for Dr. Enyati's office; so I took the form over in person, and explained what I needed. I was told Dr. Enyati was not in that day, but one of the other doctors could sign it.
After a while, they told me the doctor would like to see me, "...since we haven't seen you for a while."
So I went back, and they weighed me and took my vitals, drew blood, and took a urine specimen. Then the doctor came in-I assumed she was a doctor-she never introduced herself. She poked around a bit, looked into my eyes, ears, throat, listened to my heart and lungs, etc. She asked if I had any shortness of breath, and I told her I smoke, so yeah, I huff and puff a little if I walk very far, or climb stairs; but I just cough up the congestion and it clears.
Then she said she was going to do an EKG. I was beginning to think this was an awful lot of trouble just to get a form signed, but you figure they know what they're doing.
Then she said that the EKG showed differences from my last one---"I'll bet!" I told her; "That was 10 years ago, and I'm old."
But she said she was going to do a heart sonogram, which she did.
In retrospect, I should have asked her what she was looking for, and whether or not she found it; but at this point I just wanted to get my form signed and get out of there.
Finally, she told me she was prescribing an inhaler (which I told her I didn't need, and didn't get) and gave me a referral to a cardiologist (not going there either.)
When I finally got back out at the desk, I asked what I owed, and they said, "Medicare will cover it."
But, they said, "the doctor wants to see you in about a month."
"For...?"
"A complete physical."
I wondered what they called all the stuff they'd just done!
Okay, okay; I never go to the doctor unless I'm having a serious problem, so maybe it's a good idea. I made the appointment, and got my form signed.
So when I showed up the other day for my appointment and checked in, they said "Today's charge is 131.77. How would you like to pay?"
"It's not covered by Medicare?"
"Medicare only pays 80%."
So I gave them my debit card, and sat down to wait.
When they called me back, they again weighed me and took my vitals; and then another girl appeared, holding a white piece of paper with a pink post-it note on it. She said, there's an additional charge today of $400, for medical services."
"What's that for?" I asked.
She looked insulted, and said, "It's for your health!"
That ridiculous non-answer marked the end of my patience with this whole sorry experience.
"No. I'm not doing this," I said, standing up. "Look; I just needed a form for the dentist, and I got roped in for all this other stuff. You've already used up half of my only day off, cost me money I didn't know I was going to pay-not to mention the ten bucks for parking. I didn't ask for any of this, I don't need it; I feel fine, and I'm leaving. You got your one thirty-one, and I'm out of here."
I left, and I'm not ever going back. read more
