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Office Review: a fresh perspective
Contrary to what might make sense in your head, proximity shouldn't be the overriding variance when it comes to choosing your surgeon for what amounts to one of the most important surgeries of your life. Because of my inability to understand just that, I'm able to pass along the reasoning behind it so you don't make the same mistake I did.
I was originally speaking with Dr. McGinn in Pennsylvania about my GAS procedure. Logistics played a major role in my opting not to go see her. As it turns out, logistics wasn't the issue so much as my unwillingness to research further before making my decision to stay local. It turned out to be a major error on my part!
In February of last year, I decided to see Dr. Schechter. Honestly speaking, the biggest factor behind that decision was proximity. His reviews were somewhat mixed and a lot of that had to do with his office personnel. There were several complaints in that department and you can find them by simply reading over reviews as you are now. I will do my best not to bury you in the details that built my need to post this, so I'll fast forward to where I am now.
I am no closer to surgery now than I was back on that February day of my consultation. This entire episode has been a battle of the medical side versus the insurance side and I was put squarely in the middle. I am NOT an expert in either field and it was absolute idiocy to put me in that position but it was work they didn't want to tend to. To synopsize, the doctor's office claimed they needed approval for surgical codes that didn't require approval. The insurance stated that three (3) of the codes needed approval and they were provided, along with my approval letter, to the doctor's office. So, the back and forth was just that, with Dr. Shechter's office refusing to provide the service that had been approved not once but twice through my insurance company. Their "in-house" rules were held steadfast and they refused to deal with me or my insurance company. My only option was to move on from this stalemate of a situation. I only thought they had screwed around with me until I decided to take my options elsewhere. They still had one more dagger to throw at me on my way out.
Naturally, I had to provide the proper documentation per WPATH requirements. I did so. These were original copies, signed and notarized by those medical officials who were verifying the necessity of my surgery. I brought them in with me on the day of my consult. Now, I wanted them back because of their importance and the fact that they were the originals that would be required for me to move forward. They sent me email copies of the paperwork. I inquired as to why I'm not being mailed back my originals. Simply put, they didn't have them. They informed me that "they only keep electronic copies on file and the originals were destroyed". ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?? My property, my personal files that took the better part of a year to compile were destroyed because THEY didn't need them. Who the hell are they to decide what to do with MY personal records!! Now, I have to start the process all over again because of their neglect and ignorance. Their response, "that's how we do it here".
So, in bringing this review to an end, be aware of who you pick. Research until you know you've found the right surgeon. Always ask for any personal paperwork you provide to be returned to you before you leave the office. I doubt this is standard practice (and I have since found out that it isn't) for a doctor's office. Remember that is YOUR personal property, not theirs and remind them of just that!
Finally, please understand that proximity should NEVER be the main factor that drives your decision. It was for me and I lost a year of my life, records that took just as long to accumulate, and dealt with endless aggravation from an incompetent office in the process. Plain and simple, this doctor, whether he knows what's going on with his staff or not, is not in it for your interest. If he were, he would be more willing to take the lead in some of the conversations that happened after the initial consultation was over. He didn't and never had any intention of doing so. Looking back, this may end up being a blessing in disguise. I obviously can't speak for his surgical prowess but, if it's anything like the charade that's played out leading up to it, I wouldn't trust it either! Like any other major decision in
life...BUYER BEWARE!!!
In February of last year, I decided to see Dr. Schechter. Honestly speaking, the biggest factor behind that decision was proximity. His reviews were somewhat mixed and a lot of that had to do with his office personnel. There were several complaints in that department and you can find them by simply reading over reviews as you are now. I will do my best not to bury you in the details that built my need to post this, so I'll fast forward to where I am now.
I am no closer to surgery now than I was back on that February day of my consultation. This entire episode has been a battle of the medical side versus the insurance side and I was put squarely in the middle. I am NOT an expert in either field and it was absolute idiocy to put me in that position but it was work they didn't want to tend to. To synopsize, the doctor's office claimed they needed approval for surgical codes that didn't require approval. The insurance stated that three (3) of the codes needed approval and they were provided, along with my approval letter, to the doctor's office. So, the back and forth was just that, with Dr. Shechter's office refusing to provide the service that had been approved not once but twice through my insurance company. Their "in-house" rules were held steadfast and they refused to deal with me or my insurance company. My only option was to move on from this stalemate of a situation. I only thought they had screwed around with me until I decided to take my options elsewhere. They still had one more dagger to throw at me on my way out.
Naturally, I had to provide the proper documentation per WPATH requirements. I did so. These were original copies, signed and notarized by those medical officials who were verifying the necessity of my surgery. I brought them in with me on the day of my consult. Now, I wanted them back because of their importance and the fact that they were the originals that would be required for me to move forward. They sent me email copies of the paperwork. I inquired as to why I'm not being mailed back my originals. Simply put, they didn't have them. They informed me that "they only keep electronic copies on file and the originals were destroyed". ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?? My property, my personal files that took the better part of a year to compile were destroyed because THEY didn't need them. Who the hell are they to decide what to do with MY personal records!! Now, I have to start the process all over again because of their neglect and ignorance. Their response, "that's how we do it here".
So, in bringing this review to an end, be aware of who you pick. Research until you know you've found the right surgeon. Always ask for any personal paperwork you provide to be returned to you before you leave the office. I doubt this is standard practice (and I have since found out that it isn't) for a doctor's office. Remember that is YOUR personal property, not theirs and remind them of just that!
Finally, please understand that proximity should NEVER be the main factor that drives your decision. It was for me and I lost a year of my life, records that took just as long to accumulate, and dealt with endless aggravation from an incompetent office in the process. Plain and simple, this doctor, whether he knows what's going on with his staff or not, is not in it for your interest. If he were, he would be more willing to take the lead in some of the conversations that happened after the initial consultation was over. He didn't and never had any intention of doing so. Looking back, this may end up being a blessing in disguise. I obviously can't speak for his surgical prowess but, if it's anything like the charade that's played out leading up to it, I wouldn't trust it either! Like any other major decision in
life...BUYER BEWARE!!!
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