The Oral Surgeon’s Receptionist

[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

 

[Smoke]

Hippa laws in the reception area?

HIPAA laws in the reception area. I worked in four medical practices apart from the Army. An Urgent Care clinic, an Orthopedist, the Physiatrist and a Family Practice Clinic.

In the first three we weren't permitted to say the patient's full name in the waiting room.


Having said that, how long ago my first example was is irrelevant. It had nothing to do with medical practices or medical technology or current laws. It had strictly to do with that woman being an absolute WITCH and the idea that that's NOT the person you want to tick off. But FWIW it was 2011(ish)

 

[steelslaver]

While I do understand your anger and one one hand like your response, in reality you being loud and belligerent because she was, just makes you even. Not better than her. Simple as that.

But, one thing I do know is that if I go into a business and run into angry, disgruntled employees I can safely bet that there are reasons for it and it will be reflected in my experience there. The best way to "get back" at this type of business is simply don't go back to it. There are lots of oral surgeons.

While I do get upset and can turn into a rear end. I usually chose to use mental and verbal skills over volume and I do not mean cursing either. I am sure that there was some reasons for her manner. I hardly think the dentist did not know how his front desk operated. I also have no doubt that at some time he had been left holding the bag for lots of treatment. That doesn't excuse his receptionist.

 

[Jack Flash]

You shouldn't take it on yourself to go around trying to right the wrongs of the world.

Demanding a check immediately is not the same when they do it as when you do it. They have a brick and mortar building and a (hopefully) well established practice. A patient can change residences, even move out of state, etc., and be a real pain in the neck to track down. Not to mention hide their assets, declare bankruptcy, etc.

How much money was it anyways? Enough to make a scene in the waiting room and put other patients on hold till you make your point?

Sometimes we need to be the bigger person.

 

[walkin jack]

You shouldn't take it on yourself to go around trying to right the wrongs of the world.

Demanding a check immediately is not the same when they do it as when you do it. They have a brick and mortar building and a (hopefully) well established practice. A patient can change residences, even move out of state, etc., and be a real pain in the neck to track down. Not to mention hide their assets, declare bankruptcy, etc.

How much money was it anyways? Enough to make a scene in the waiting room and put other patients on hold till you make your point?

Sometimes we need to be the bigger person.

You do have a point. Still there is no need or reason to be rude or offensive to everyone. And no excuse for that approach to explaining policy. You can't expect of get in peoples face with an accusatory attitude and not get some push back. I think the OP was well within his rights to stand his ground the way he did, not because of the policy but because of the hateful way he was treated.

 

[Onomea]

I am of two minds about this. I think I am a patient guy, and that I suffer fools gladly, mostly because there are a lot of fools out there and berating them or correcting them just slows them down, usually, when my object is to get what I want and get away from them as quickly as possible.

On the other hand, I have a very low tolerance for bullies, and see standing up to them, and pushing back on them publicly, as a way of protecting those who cannot protect themselves as well as I can. (Not talking physically here — those days are long behind me.)

It's a judgement call.

Note that the woman was not polite or even civil in her demands.

I don't know if I would have pushed back on the dental receptionist/office manager as hard as the OP did, but I won't blame him for it. I likely would've pushed back, too.

 

[hoosierone]

Just yesterday I was at my cardiologist's office for an appointment. I had been there before. I was directed to a hall where two women were sitting at their desks next to each other. The first one wanted my name (I always say it and then spell it even though it is a very common name), plus address, date of birth and last four numbers of my phone.

She directs me to the woman next to me. First thing she asks is my name!
I very clearly and in a slightly elevate voice repeated my name. She was offended and told me it was the first time she had asked me. I let it go.
She asks a bunch of questions and gives me a form to fill out. I wondered why when I was there a month ago they didn't give me the form.

A little venting I know, but I get so tired of going over the same basic info over and over, usually in a room full of strangers. Going to the Doctor isn't supposed to be pleasant I guess and it rarely is.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

After running a solo practice for 35 years I have found out that the clients who bitch the most about paying are the ones who will stiff you in a heartbeat. My firm rule is you pay up front either an agreed upon flat fee or place at least a 10 hour advanced fee deposit in trust against which I will bill for time and services. If you don't want that I absolutely understand and I will happily accommodate the client by giving him/her the name of another lawyer. If a client says that so and so doesn't charge as much as I do, I suggest that they go to so and so. It doesn't pay tp sue clients for unpaid fees, they will either report you to the bar for something and you have to deal with THAT (spending otherwise productive time defending against a BS issue) or you will spend money getting na uncollectable judgment. People WILL stick it to you if they think they can get away with it and chasing them around for money just isn't worth it. If they get into your pocket to an extent that it is worth it, then shame on you.
I had a secretary that was very protective of me to the point that I was getting complaints and was going to have to make a hard decision, when suddenly she has something come up in her personal life that meant she had to leave her position.
But I can absolutely see it from the dentist's point of view.

 

[steelslaver]

I keep thinking about the fact that payment was due up front would have been covered before anyone ever showed up in the office.

Could have been made very clear well before hand and in Private.

 

[Muss Muggins]

It always is, at least every time I knew it was required. People just hear and read what they want to . . .

In the words of My Cousin Vinny: "You were serious about that ? ? ?"

I keep thinking about the fact that payment was due up front would have been covered before anyone ever showed up in the office.

Could have been made very clear well before hand and in Private.

 

[jimbo728]

No Muss, this time in the words of "Vinny" this is all BS.
Couldn`t resist!
Jim