Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Incompetence
Yesterday Little Bug had a sports physical so that he can do the horseback riding therapy. First of all, the kids did great. I wish I could say the same for the receptionist and the doctor. We got there 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork. No one was there. The office was locked up. We waited for a few minutes and then they came. We walked in and I thought the office looked a little odd, but couldn't put my finger on it at first. We signed in, filled out paper work and then I looked around. This "family doctor" was running a "medispa" on the side. The furniture was amazing - high back chairs with hand carved wood. Beautiful hand carved tables. Silk draperies. A china cabinet full of spa type products. As more and more people walked in, I realized we had chosen the wrong doctor. This became even more apparent as we waited. There were no other children in the place. So, we waited. And waited. And waited. There was one man with an 8:30 appointment and then we had an 8:40 appointment. He didn't go back till almost 9:00. And we waited some more. Around 9:30 she calls me up to make the payment since my insurance doesn't cover sports physicals. I ask how much longer we will have to wait and she snaps "She's waiting for you right now! Just make the payment!" Grrr... we get in and the nurse was great. Very interested in the horseback riding program and asks some great questions. The doctor comes in and we talk. She starts to insist that we take Little Bug for a psychiatric evaluation. He's already had one. But she really doesn't want to take no for an answer. So, she pushes and pushes and pushes. Finally she gives up because I won't give in. Sigh... then we go to leave and the snippy receptionist catches me and the conversation that followed went something like this:
"You need to pay your co-pay before you leave."
"I already paid for the visit. My insurance doesn't cover sports physicals. I gave YOU the check before I went back."
"Yes, that was for the physical, now you need to pay your co-pay."
"But, I paid for the ENTIRE exam. You won't be billing my insurance for anything. I don't need to pay the co-pay."
"YES, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY THE CO-PAY!!"
"I ALREADY PAID FOR THE VISIT!!!"
A nurse jumps in at this point and says "She paid for the sports physical. Insurance doesn't cover it, so there isn't a co-pay." The receptionist storms off to their accountant/financial guy and wants to know who's right. He asks if I paid for the exam, she says "Yes, but what about the co-pay?" He tells her it's all taken care of. So, she comes out to me and says, "You can GO NOW!" ARGH!!! This is what I get for making an appointment with the FIRST doctor listed on my preferred providers list. Grrr...
Then we had to run to the bank. Baby Girl wanted to go into a store and get treats. We are sitting at the drive thru and I've sent the money to the teller when Baby Girl asks again for a treat. I say to her, "Baby, we're not going to get treats. I will give you a treat when we get home." The teller looks up and says, "EXCUSE ME?!" ACK! She thought I was talking to her!! I explain that my little girl is in the back and I babble on about how she wants treats and blah blah blah... the teller looks a little skeptical till she sees Baby Girl wiggling in the back seat and she smiles. Whew! I can laugh now, but at the time I was horrified! I don't even want to know what she thought of me. After that we ran to the post office and then we came home and I locked myself in! I don't think I will be venturing out very soon... well, at least not till this afternoon when I have to go get groceries. Anyone want a treat?

14 comments:

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I'm laughing, but it's with total sympathy, I swear! I absolutely hate incompetence and even more than that I can't stand people who won't admit they're wrong. My son's teacher is like that receptionist. Grrr.

You need chocolate. It always helps soothe those "I've-been-out-with-the- public-too-much-days!"

Yvonne said...

Want a good laugh--I thought the title read "incontinence". (Don't know where that came from ; )

What an incompetent idiot that receptionist must be. I think you were extremely patient.

I'd love a treat--anything chocolate ; )

Casdok said...

Sorry have to laugh!!

Anonymous said...

OMG! What a day you've had! You poor thing! Well, at least it gave you material for a great post! *wink*

Nancy Face said...

I can't even believe that snippy receptionist! Her ridiculous and rude behavior has me feeling REALLY annoyed right about now! I'm sorry you had to go through all of that garbage, and I'm hoping today will be TONS better! Treats are good! ;)

Nancy Face said...

I have an award for you...come by and check it out when you can! :)

I'm cracking up at Yvonne's comment..."incontinence" HAHA! :D

Heather said...

Seriously, that receptionist is annoying! I'll take some of that pie below for my treat.

... said...

whew! what a morning. you must have left the doctor's office feeling drained. you should have told baby girl that you wanted a treat, too, and then stopped by a coffee or ice cream shop.

Jessica said...

Oh sometimes I hate doctor offices! We just sat at one (in the waiting area) for 2 HOURS!!! Luckly it was hubby and I not the kids! I feel for ya! I hope you got out that treat bucket of yours! :) I love the music BTW!

elasticwaistbandlady said...

I only come out at night these days, melissa. It's too hot during the day and I'm starting to really dislike my fellow man. My hairs starting to get really long, maybe I could just grow it to cover my body, stop wearing clothes, and move to the mountains to start a new life as a hermit.

Tonya said...

Sounds like Mom could use a treat after a day like that.

That kind of treatment irks me to no end. I am in the customer service world and I can't believe that a business would want someone like that working with their customers.

Run, don't walk to a new doctor. Hope you find the right one.

Anonymous said...

hi mel:
so funny that the teller thought you were talking to her! freak! that would have cracked me up to be there! :)

so not right how you were treated at the doctor's office. word of mouth referral is the way! i love our family practice clinic (word of mouth referral) and we have been with them for many years now. so uncool how you were treated! but karma is karma. people get what they deserve eventually. it's out of our hands. you give out good, you usually get back good. you give our yickies, you will eventually get slammed for it bad by someone.

you are sweet and kind, so don't change that, and please keep coming out to play. the world needs more people like you to keep it shining bright. {{hugs)) kathleen

Gretchen said...

Time to find a different doctor QUICK! Run, do not walk to the list and do it. :)

wynne said...

Wow. What a receptionist! What an office! What a pick-up line for the teller at the bank!