About a year ago, I had a rise in blood platelets, and since for me it could possibly mean cancer,…read moreI made an appointment. Dr. Lamon ordered follow-up testing for a month later to track changes, and put me on a daily baby aspirin, since it can lower chances of colon cancer, something I have a predilection to.
When I arrived for my follow up, I paid my copay and went back to the room to wait. He burst in and demanded to know how many tests I had done. I said I did whatever was on the order, just the one--he shoved a copy in my face and asked me to confirm and I said yeah, that was probably the one. He stormed out, yelling at the nurses as he went. They apparently ordered the wrong test and were supposed to order a second test as well, which they did not, meaning the appt was a waste of time since they couldn't tell me anything.
He stomped back in and asked me if there was anything I needed--I had noticed that I started to sunburn more easily than normal (like fully burned and peeling after less than 40 minutes in the shade). I did my research and read several peer reviewed studies that showed daily aspirin could make people photosensitive. I have issue with the texture of sun block on my skin, cause it gets very sticky and takes really hard scrubbing to get it off, so I went to ask "I think the aspirin is making me burn easier. I know I need to wear sunblock, but I hate the feeling of it, are there any you recommend as a doctor that might not cause that issue?"
I got as far as "sunblock, but" when he interrupted me and told me "It's stupid to think aspirin could that, and if you don't wanna wear sunblock I can introduce you to some melanoma patients who might change your mind."
I have had three cancers. My mom has had 7. May dad has had 4, including skin, and this is all on my family history and should be stuff he is aware of. He walked out after that.
Since they hadn't even had a chance to do my vitals yet, a nurse, Danica, who said she was head nurse, came in to do them. I told her "I will be getting a refund for my copay today." And related what happened. She apologized for his behavior and offered "since you already paid today, I can have the front desk mark that it's waived next time, unless you need the money now." I agreed to that, and spoke with Danica and the receptionist while I got my lab orders and everyone agreed to the arrangement.
On the third appointment they asked to collect a copay, and I reminded them that I had spoken with her and Danica previously, and it should be waived for this appointment. She said she did recall the conversation and that she would waive it.
I have spoken to them no less than ten times about this now, as they have been billing me monthly for the third appointment's copay, threatening to send me to collections, etc. If I call and leave a message with the billing department it gets ignored. Each time I get a live person and explain the situation to someone they agree that I shouldn't pay it, and finally, a year and a half later, I think I have finally managed to convince them by posting the above on their site review system. We'll see.
