Bad Doctor!
Jim Sedlak
Description
Collection
Title:
Bad Doctor!
Creator:
Jim Sedlak
Date:
9/9/2014
Text:
What recourse do we have when a physician refuses to follow Medicare
guidelines and will not provide adequate documentation? I had a patient
schedule a visit with his physician for a prosthetic evaluation, and I even
went with the patient as well to make sure everything was covered. The
physician even asked me to provide him with the patient history and what the
patient needs and he would provide it in his documentation. I provided a
sample of the documentation that I felt was necessary for coverage from
Medicare. This was in early July, and the doctor has still not provided his
documentation. I have contacted his office nearly ten times since to get a
copy of his notes. He has told me, that he refuses to do it, because it is
too much stuff to provide and it will take to much of his time. He even
told me to stop bothering him as well. This piece of garbage doc has surely
billed Medicare for his time and for his services regarding this prosthetic
evaluation, but has not followed through for me. As far as I know, there is
no incentive for the physician to do anything more. I know I can send the
patient elsewhere, but that is just a bigger headache if it comes to that.
I am in a holding pattern with this patient, and have informed the physician
that I cannot and will not provide the services for the patient until I
receive what is necessary from him.
Is it even worth the time to contact Medicare and get the runaround from
them, when I know they won't do anything about it?
guidelines and will not provide adequate documentation? I had a patient
schedule a visit with his physician for a prosthetic evaluation, and I even
went with the patient as well to make sure everything was covered. The
physician even asked me to provide him with the patient history and what the
patient needs and he would provide it in his documentation. I provided a
sample of the documentation that I felt was necessary for coverage from
Medicare. This was in early July, and the doctor has still not provided his
documentation. I have contacted his office nearly ten times since to get a
copy of his notes. He has told me, that he refuses to do it, because it is
too much stuff to provide and it will take to much of his time. He even
told me to stop bothering him as well. This piece of garbage doc has surely
billed Medicare for his time and for his services regarding this prosthetic
evaluation, but has not followed through for me. As far as I know, there is
no incentive for the physician to do anything more. I know I can send the
patient elsewhere, but that is just a bigger headache if it comes to that.
I am in a holding pattern with this patient, and have informed the physician
that I cannot and will not provide the services for the patient until I
receive what is necessary from him.
Is it even worth the time to contact Medicare and get the runaround from
them, when I know they won't do anything about it?
Citation
Jim Sedlak, “Bad Doctor!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/236728.
