My experience involved a referral, just like the other report on this site.
I first went to this clinic to get a complete physical. As part of the physical, I was told that my cholesterol was slightly elevated above the norm. The doctor immediately wanted to put me on a cholesterol reducing medication, and I told her I would rather try to control it with diet instead. Although I know many drugs work wonders, I am very wary of the knee-jerk reaction some doctors have to prescribing drugs. She said, "Ill give you two months, then come back and get the drug." No encouragement, instead the attitude was "You'll fail, and then well put you on the drug."
This was in December, and I did not go back in February. I did modify my diet so that I ate more fruits and vegetables, less bread etc etc.in the meantime, I developed an increasingly deteriorating eye condition which started out as "iritis" then "uveitis, " "pars planitis" and then an inflamed and swollen retina. I had been under the care of an ophthalmologist in Ft Myers for six months, but was unable to continue driving there, so he told me to find a retina/vitreous specialist in Tampa to treat my worsening eye condition.
At the time I knew my insurance would required a specialist referral. Therefore, I knew I needed a referral from GMS before I could see the retina/vitreous specialists.
I called GMS and they said "You dont need a referral." I replied, "Yes, I do, my insurance requires it-please look at my card, its right on the front of the card." Response: "No, you dont need a referral, the rep told us so—let me transfer you to someone who can explain to you about referrals." Next person: "You dont need a referral" Me: "Cant you call my insurance to confirm whether I do or not?" Reply: Thats not our job, we dont call insurance companies; they call us." Me: " I have a very serious eye condition which needs immediate attention. My eyes are red and inflamed and I have been diagnosed with a serious retina/vitreous condition which needs immediate treatment." Response: "Well you will have to come in—you havent been here in a year" Me: "I was there In December (this was 7 mo later) and had a complete physical exam-this is the beginning of August: that isnt a year." Response: "Too bad, you have to come in, and then the Doctor will explain to you about referrals" Me: "Do you not care at all about your patient?" Response: "We see you didnt come back to get your cholesterol medication-we care more about you than you do." Me: " But I have a serious eye condition that needs immediate attention—doesnt that mean anything to you.?" Response: "If you want a referral you will have to make an appointment and come in." Me: "And what are you going to see me for?" Response: "To explain to you about referrals".
Very Important: At this point in time, I was legally blind due to this eye condition and really did need to see the specialist immediately. It could also have deteriorated to the point that it would have permanently affected my vision.
I called the Retina/Vitreous Specialists in Tampa (great people and doctors). They asked me to see if I could get a referral from the ophthalmologist in Ft Myers, even though he was not my primary care physician. I did that, and he personally wrote a letter to GMS castigating them in very professional, but uncompromising terms, about their failure to care— disregarding my need for a referral. I had also confirmed with my insurance that I indeed needed a referral for the eye specialist. My insurance asked me if I wanted to file a report against them, and I did.
The end of this story is the best and most unbelievable part. I received a letter in the mail telling me not to come to come back—they were kicking me out of GMS. Mind you, I was NEVER verbally abusive or rude to them at all. Just unbelievable frustrated.
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