The Oral Surgeon’s Receptionist

[Kevin G]

Years ago, shortly after I got married, I drove my wife to an oral surgeon for a preliminary exam for an extraction. She had a referral from her regular dentist, we were about an hour from home.
After the exam, before we left the office the receptionist/office manager told us in no uncertain terms when we showed up for the procedure we needed to have a check with us for our insurance co-pay or there would be no procedure. I was a bit insulted but kept my mouth shut.
The day of the procedure the waiting room was quite crowded. While waiting for my wife I had a chance to listen to the receptionist in action with other people, there was much discussion about money in a loud voice. She really p—-ed me off the way she treated a National Guardsmen looking to get his teeth in order so he could go overseas on active duty. Everyone in the waiting room was privy to the conversation, she really embarrassed the poor guy and there was no need of it.
The following week we went back for a follow up appointment. When we checked in the receptionist informed us we were due a refund because the insurance paid more than the predetermination of benefits.
After my wife had been seen by the dentist and we were ready to leave I went to the receptionist and told her I'd like the refund now. She responded that it would be mailed to us. Now it was my turn, I told her that she was very direct telling us we had better have a check for the balance when we showed up for the procedure, I had sat there and listened to how she mistreated other people about finances, in particular the soldier trying to go on active duty overseas. She told me the dentist was busy and couldn't sign a check. I responded I had plenty of time and I'd wait right here at the window, if need be I'd call a cop to sort things out. The volume of my voice matched and sometimes exceeded hers, may have got a little salty at times too, I was angry.
We got our check. The waiting room was full, when we left I made eye contact with a few and got smiles and a couple of nods.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes.
Kevin G

 

[arjay]

I'd bet that oral surgeon had been stiffed so many times that he didn't care anymore lol

 

[Muss Muggins]

I will never understand the Violet Beauregard "I want it now" attitude . . .

 

[moosedog]

Good on you. You remind me of myself.

 

[Sikiguya]

That sounds like a violation of HIPPA...to be within earshot of others when discussing health related issues.


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[Rustyt1953]

Veruca Salt.

 

[Muss Muggins]

To be fair, Mike and Augustus did it too . . .

Veruca Salt.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If you are yelling about your own healthcare information in front of others, you're on your own. And I'm not sure finance is a health related issue . . .

That sounds like a violation of HIPPA...to be within earshot of others when discussing health related issues.


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[cherrypointmarine]

Whatever it was , she had it coming . Sounds like one of those situations where someone gets a little authority and it goes to their head . If only she would realize that if she treated people with a little respect she probably would have no trouble collecting payments .

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well, I just keep thinking about the poor next patient, whose treatment was delayed because of a maniac in the lobby cursing and demanding the doctor stop doing whatever he/she was doing to sign a check which could have easily been mailed. Insurance coverage of dental work is notoriously poor, and my experience has been that they get all they can up front. I don't begrudge this. I do the same in my business . . .

Whatever it was , she had it coming . Sounds like one of those situations where someone gets a little authority and it goes to their head . If only she would realize that if she treated people with a little respect she probably would have no trouble collecting payments .

 

[Muss Muggins]

. . . When we checked in the receptionist informed us we were due a refund because the insurance paid more than the predetermination of benefits.
. . .

I slept on this. Doesn't your insurance company get that check? You paid your copay, which is always your responsibility, the first day, the insurance company paid the rest, or more than the rest. They get theirs back, right? There was no indication that you paid too much out of your pocket that day.

 

[NYlakesider]

Well, I just keep thinking about the poor next patient, whose treatment was delayed because of a maniac in the lobby cursing and demanding the doctor stop doing whatever he/she was doing to sign a check which could have easily been mailed. Insurance coverage of dental work is notoriously poor, and my experience has been that they get all they can up front. I don't begrudge this. I do the same in my business . . .

Well the many doctors and dentist I go to have a new invention called a office manager, or clerk of the works that takes care of stuff like that. I seriously doubt that the good dentist hardly knows or cares what happens in the business office. He has paid people to take care of stuff like that.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well the many doctors and dentist I go to have a new invention called a office manager, or clerk of the works that takes care of stuff like that. I seriously doubt that the good dentist hardly knows or cares what happens in the business office. He has paid people to take care of stuff like that.

Well, this guy doesn't. Or didn't. The OP clearly stated the dentist had to sign the check. Of course, it happened years ago, so not sure why it's coming up now . . .

Years ago, . . .

. . . She told me the dentist was busy and couldn't sign a check. . .
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes.
Kevin G

 

[Jeff423]

I had a similar situation the last time I went to the oral surgeon where I overpaid the prepayment. (Because it turned out that I didn't need all the treatment I paid for.) It was on my credit card. They had the refund back on my card before I even got to the front desk.

 

[df06]

I'd sure send that dentist a polite but direct letter telling him how his office manager was treating "customers."

 

[Smoke]

One Example From My Life Take It FWIW

The last medical practice I worked at was a Physiatrist. He was enough of a specialist that he could afford to be choosy about his clientele, at least his office manager thought so.

The woman was an absolute BEAST and no matter whose name was on the door she ran that clinic.

One morning I got a call from a woman who needed an appointment. Apparently she was a little frustrated from dealing with the insurance company by the time she got to me.

Long story short, halfway through the call the office manager made me put the woman on hold so she could "consult" with me.

She wanted to know if the woman had been polite. She wanted to know if I felt we should give her an appointment (we had openings that day).

I told her that according to my training and experience if you have an open slot, you put a patient in it.

She told me we didn't do it that way in this practice. The bottom line was she wanted to know if the patient had shown the proper amount of deference to merit the next available appointment or a wait. Remember this was a pain management practice. So, every day the woman had to wait was one more day in pain.

So my point is that's the person you're ticking off.

I go out of my way not to make waves where waves don't need to be made.

 

[vt_shooter]

There's good reason the The Golden Rule is called that.

 

[Oracle]

Good for you fellow Coastie!

 

[Muss Muggins]

There's good reason the The Golden Rule is called that.

The OP pretty much admitted he abused the person he was talking to . . .

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A few years ago now, got two implants.
After the Doc did his evaluation and sent me back out front,
Money was the first thing we discussed.
He had a financial collection Lady who apparently did only that.
I expect these folks are stiffed a lot.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Is there anyone who has a recent example? The OP was "Years ago," this is "a few years ago,"
Smoke's example was " the last medical practice I worked at," and his posts reflect he's been walking a beat around a chain link fence for a decade. Help me understand . . .

A few years ago now, got two implants.
After the Doc did his evaluation and sent me back out front,
Money was the first thing we discussed.
He had a financial collection Lady who apparently did only that.
I expect these folks are stiffed a lot.

 

[Kevin G]

I understand that payment can be expected when service is provided. I had a problem with the way this was communicated to us and the entire waiting room. Don't care if Hippa applied, it's inappropriate to discuss private business so openly in front of others. Furthermore, the way the National Guard soldier was treated was awful. He was humiliated about finances in front of everyone in the waiting room.
I don't believe I abused her. I didn't insult her, drop any F bombs, I used about the same voice volume she did(my voice is deep and may carry further).
This term ABUSE seems to be overworked in today's politically correct climate.
I was trying to make a point by demanding the refund that day. Looking to play by the same rules that were laid out in a very crass manner for us.
As to why I posted this here years later, something reminded me of it.

 

[walkin jack]

I have a story on the same line. I'll put it up in a new thread when I can.

All I can say is that the OP is a man after my own heart and GOOD GOING1

 

[TX-Dennis]

My son recently had wisdom teeth out and an implant for a missing tooth he was born without. My dental insurance only pays a maximum of $1750/year per person, and the work was several thousand, so my part was nearly four grand. I was informed that it would have to be paid up front. However there was no rudeness or screaming involved. I wrote them a check, and the surgeon did a wonderful job.

 

[StrawHat]

I guess I don't see an issue. I provide a service to people. To get that service, you pay, in advance. If you don't like it that is fine, find someone else. I don't give estimates, I give exact charges. If it should have been more, I eat it. I do not demean people, I am professional and I expect to be treated the same.

Kevin

 

[Muss Muggins]

I understand that payment can be expected when service is provided. I had a problem with the way this was communicated to us and the entire waiting room.

Don't care if Hippa applied, it's inappropriate to discuss private business so openly in front of others.

You perpetuated this. Your response should have been "I'd like to discuss this in private." You chose to yell.

Furthermore, the way the National Guard soldier was treated was awful. He was humiliated about finances in front of everyone in the waiting room.

You have no idea about his financial condition at the time.

I don't believe I abused her. I didn't insult her, drop any F bombs, I used about the same voice volume she did(my voice is deep and may carry further).
This term ABUSE seems to be overworked in today's politically correct climate. I was trying to make a point by demanding the refund that day. Looking to play by the same rules that were laid out in a very crass manner for us. As to why I posted this here years later, something reminded me of it.

So, this. Sounds like you intended to abuse her, and you're proud of what you did . . .

The volume of my voice matched and sometimes exceeded hers, may have got a little salty at times too,

Did you pay your insurance company back for their overpayment?

 

[Oldbird13]

These days, when you actually get to be present with another human, it is easy to spot someone that doesn't like their job. Maybe the old Dr. couldn't find any other help. Hope she's not his wife. The last thing I want is an angry/frustrated person working on my mouth....or any other cavity for that matter.

 

[yaktamer]

A few years ago now, got two implants.

Uh... On second thought, I better not.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I do not demean people,....

To quote Jeremiah Johnson: "sound wisdom."

 

[riverrat38]

Hippa laws in the reception area?
The first time I went to my urologists office, I was sitting in the waiting room, well, waiting. An elderly gent was talking to the receptionist . She was asking him if he was wearing a catheter. He was also hard of hearing, as he had to ask for a repeat. I didn't have any trouble hearing her 25 feet away, and my hearing isn't what it used to be. She repeats the question louder, and he indicated that he was, indeed, so equipped. Now, she knew, I knew, and everybody in the room knew, he was wearing! In my rapidly increasing experience in waiting rooms, that is not a unique occurrence, by any means.

Best,
Rick