Here is the latest scoop - and thanks everyone for all the support.
I called today and spoke with the office manager, who seemed very nice and truly seemed embarrassed by the whole thing. She told me that the doctor himself had wanted those letters sent out, and that they are not for patients who missed scheduled appointments at all, which is what I thought it might be (even though I cancelled the appointment at least a week prior to when it was scheduled). He is charging us for making the appointment and cancelling it!!! Yes, I am serious. She apologized, said her hands were tied and that she had butted heads with him over this, but he would not budge. He told her to tell the patients that they could either pay the $100 or he would turn them over to his attorney. Again, I am serious. Talk about a jaw dropper. She also said that I was not the only patient to be complaining. Apparently other folks are as upset at this as I am.
I told her that I understood she was in a tough position, and I do. It is not her fault this doctor is an a double s. I told her to go ahead and tell him to contact his attorney if he felt he had to, but that I would be filing complaints with the BBB and the Kentucky Med. Licensing folks.
I contacted the BBB, filed a complaint promptly with them, and also talked to the Kentucky Attorney General's office, who are sending me a complaint form. Tomorrow I will call the Med. Licensing Board, as well as my insurance company, just to put them on alert.
I hate the thought of this quack getting even one person to pay this ridiculous price. A patient should not be punished for cancelling an appointment. I just can't even begin to express how sick this makes me, and hopping mad. Not that I think I am smarter than everyone else, but you all know that doing the work we do kinda takes the "godness" out of the way we look at doctors. I know that people are going to pay him when they are threatened with his attorney, and that is just wrong.
Anyhow, thanks for letting me vent and I will keep you updated.
HC |
