This review is for Dr. Jardine's reception staff. I walked in ten minutes late for my appointment…read moreand the receptionist looks in her book and says "you'll have to reschedule". She doesn't bother to look up at me again. Fine. I then explain that I lost my cell phone and insurance card that day and was late because I had to print out a temporary card. She did not even look up or say anything. I waited for a response. She just acted like I was not there. Finally, without lifting her eyes from her book she says "you'll have to reschedule". I get that I can't be seen because I was late but have some decency and treat me like a human being. I then go outside to see if my driver was still there. He wasn't. I go back in and ask the same receptionist if I can use a phone (b/c I lost mine right before my appt.). She looks up at me and widens her eyes. I took that look to mean that she did not hear me so I repeated it. She then yells "I heard you". The common sense thing to do is to say something to acknowledge you've understood what someone has said to you. This genius obviously never learned how to interact with others. Dr. Jardine may be great but I certainly will not return to find out.

First of all I've never seen a doctor who works on a first come first serve basis. This was my…read morefirst experience with the father "Dr Bill" as they called him. I went in because I was coughing and my nose was stuffy, wanted to make sure I didn't have something that needed antibiotics. I go in and one of the first things he asked is when was my last colonoscopy, then when was my last mammogram. He then tells me I have to come back and see his son to have a colonoscopy and writes me script to go across the street to a clinic they work with; I think it's my decision who I see and what procedures are done on my body. Then after telling him I'm hyper sensitive to antihistamines and on medication for cancer treatment, there was a back and forth for about a 1/2 hour where he kept telling me he was prescribing antihistamines for me and I kept telling him no I can't take them. Finally he says he's going to prescribe cough medicine. I go out to the girl at the desk and she says that I owed a $40 copay, I tell her what are you talking about, my insurance doesn't have a copay and I've reached out of pocket max on my insurance, she says there is still a $40 copay for the visit; I repeated I don't have a copay, what the heck are you talking about? She then realized she put the code in wrong. I go to the pharmacy to find out the medicine isn't covered on my insurance and has antihistamines in it! After another 45 minutes at the pharmacy they give me a replacement drug only to read on the paperwork Do Not Operate Machinery or A Car While On; Side Effects Dizziness, Drowsiness, and a Stuffy Nose among 25 other things. I call the office back and was told that they would give me paperwork to take a leave of absence from my job while on the medication, told them no way in hell!

The first question I ask when making a Doctors appointment is, "do you PARTICIPATE with my…read moreinsurance?" NOT, do you take my insurance? Big difference! This office said yes, more than 2 weeks before a colonoscopy that they took Anthem, without checking my plan. Over one week before the procedure I met with Dr. Scott DiGiacomo who also said, "don't worry about insurance". He stated that everyone in his group would be fine including the anethesiologist. Also, I told the office staff several times that I needed a pre-authorization for one anethesia code. They responded, "don't worry". (The office billed my insurance and took a co-pay for this first visit. Also note, that if you do not pay cash for your co-pay, this office tacks on an addition charge.) On the Friday afternoon, before my Tues. procedure, they left me a voicemail. As I was out of town, I did not get the call because I was in a no-cell location. If they had bothered to text me, if they had bothered to email me, or call the emergency contact number, I could have spoke to them. So it wasn't until I was back in town, when my calls came through, (and I had started my prep for the colonoscopy), that I found out by calling them back, that they were not a participant of my insurance. They said I could proceed if I paid 50% of the cost. They also said it was up to the patient to find out if THEY/The Doctors were participants, even though they had plenty of time to check and tell me if there was a problem. I WAS NOT TOLD by the office that I was responsible for pre-approval. Again, I had asked several times about insurance and they stated it was not an issue. I reminded them that they billed my insurance for the first visit. So, how did they NOT know if they were participants or not, and if they did not know what my plan covered, why did they have me pay a co-pay up front?. The office manager back peddled, and stated more than once that they could proceed if I paid 50%. She implied that there was a mis-understanding. A Doctor's office telling patients that they take their insurance when they are not participants is not a mis-understanding. It is unethical. I stated, "but, what about the anethesia group?" She could not respond to this. Patients have insurance for a reason. Paying out of pocket, is not one of those reasons. The office manager also threw out insults on the phone stating that my plan was, "a very small plan" and "you've had this problem before." I don't even know what she met by that, I was a new patient. Anthem BCBS is massive. Now I will have to file a claim with my insurance so the insurance company knows that this Doctor's office took a co-pay without even knowing my coverage. When I receive the EOB for the visit, I'm sure it will show that I owe because the doctor is out of network. I lost 3 days of work because of this, went half way through the prep. Now, to start over again. Dr. Scott, I can send you the bill for my lost wages, prep prescription cost, co-pay, gas and tolls to/from your office. Also, I asked to speak with you, and your office manager said I could not, because you were not available. When did the patient start having to do all the leg work for a procedure. I have called other Colonoscopy offices now to get a new appointment. After telling them what happened at DiGiacomo's office, they all stated that they DO ALL THE LEG WORK, they call the insurance companies, they have to; often 2 weeks in advance to get pre-authorization. So, was this group doing a procedure without pre-authorization? Doesn't add up. This office obviously dropped the ball, wasted my time and money, and are too arrogant to admit they made mistakes. The office manager stated that there "are so many insurance plans," that the patient has to check the doctor's status, they don't have the time. That's just another way of saying that they are lazy, or understaffed, or uneducated when it comes to how insurance works. Or, all of the above. If you are a patient in need of a procedure, find the Doctor who cares enough to take care of all of your needs. You should never have to do any of the heavy lifting. A doctor is only as good as their staff. And, this one failed. In hindsight, I am now grateful that the procedure fell through after speaking with other Colon doctor offices. If they can't handle the basics, I'm glad my health is no longer in their care.

Dr. Francis is definitely a breath of fresh air. In my experience, he is the only dr that doesn't…read morefeel like he is trying to rush you and himself out of the patient's room. He is very attentive to you and listens to all your concerns. That is a nice change from just seeing a nurse practitioner or a nurse instead of a real doctor. He's up-to-date on clinical trials and medical research. Also, this is intangible, but he's fairly progressive in his views. His office looks brand new, so clean and nicely decorated. His staff is so nice and respectful. You don't have to wait; once you get there you get to be seen. Dr. Francis overall is empathic, respectful, funny, personal, forthright, thorough and confident. He has all that I've been looking for. So glad he moved into the neighborhood.

If you are looking for a caring, knowledgeable doctor, search no more. Dr Francis gives you the…read moretime you need, will do his own blood work & and as a sole practitioner will never foist you on an associate. He returns phone calls & you will not find a more dedicated doctor.

Last week I left this practice after being a patient for 10 years+. The patient services are…read moredreadful. Not only was I not informed about changes to their prescription refill policy prior to needing it, the office rep argued with me about my request. The interaction was upsetting. The wait to get an appointment for a check up is long. I have found a new practice, was seen right away and will no longer face the humiliation of brokering my own refills between Pase Healthcare and my pharmacy (which took over 1 hour out of my work day). I am questioning why I did not leave sooner.

As part of Atlantic Medical Group, with another superb practice at Basking Ridge, New Jersey,…read moreMaplewood Family Medicine offers three excellent, patient and communicative doctors: Dr. Karen Young, Dr. Christina Johnson and Dr. Priscilla Miguez. Having seen all three at one point or another, I'm happy to say that they all take the time to listen to your concerns and can also suggest tips to keep healthy and not need visits as often! The process of scheduling can sometimes be a bit frustrating, since they do tend to be busy. Online scheduling is also available and can be a good option. Keep going to your annual check-ups because an apple a day is not sound medical advice and won't keep the doctor away!

They used to be good caring physicians but since COVID they really changed.. at least with me …read more. calling on for a rx refill takes anywhere from 4 days to a week.. they are not that busy .. been a patient there since 2011 .. when you are in the office long wait times lead to frustration.. wish Dr Rizzo of Union Family Medicine didn't move .. he was top of the line