My baby needed an ECHO exam after birth, it was provided at hospital by the partner of Dr.Griffin?s at the same office. She indicated we need to schedule an appointment after 1 month for follow up. I called to re-schedule 3 days before the app.She indicated no fees for re-scheduling only if it?s within 24hrs of the appointment (after I asked her specifically). Then I received a phone call the day after telling me that they will forgive us for re-scheduling and will not charge us $200 as they were able to sell our appointment. On one of the required papers I had to provide full information for a credit card (including the 3 digit security code on the back of the card!!! I told the representative I am not comfortable providing this info and if there another way to solve this. He replied in an unacceptable way that I can t go to the appointment unless I fill the page then he called the office manager. The office manager bluntly indicated I either fill the required paper or get out because they need such paper to be sure I will pay any extra charges. I again indicated that I am not willing to fill such paperwork and prefer if there is another way. She decided to call the doctor to the front office. I waited for the doctor who came after a while and indicated that the CC paperwork is for my convenience, I said I am not continent this way and I prefer to not provide such information on a paper. He now changed the tone that they need this paper to make sure I will pay any extra charges if there was one. I again indicated that I know there are no extra charges on my side and they already billed me before at the hospital appointment so they can confirm my words. He then decided to ask the representative to call their billing manager to check their previous bill and he turned around and stepped out of the room into the backroom while I was talking to him. While waiting for their billing manager to reply, the office manager made a sarcastic comment on us which I didn t reply to. Then after another minute, she came and indicated that I must provide my and my wife s SSN and there was no discussion about that. I asked why they need such information as they already got a copy of my health insurance, in the doctor s presence she said in a load tone so they can track me down if I didn t pay my bill and that I am being Ridiculous. I replied that I don t appreciate being treated as a criminal. And I was shocked of the way that Dr Griffin didn?t mind his office manager to speak that way to his patients. Even worse he decided to turn around and indicate I am abusing his staff and I should leave, I mentioned that his office manager is the one calling me ridiculous and I would like to reverse my co-pay charge so I can leave. I had to leave the office with my 1month old who had a sever condition. Then I received a bill for $200 for the missed appointment (the one I already rescheduled 3 days before) (although they told me twice that I will not be charged). My insurance is fighting them currently on the fake charge and they even had the nerve to provide a letter to my insurance lying bluntly in it that I refused to fill ANY paperwork or pay anything and I was abusing their staff members. From that letter I learned also why the doctor was very supportive of the office manager abusive behavior as it turned out to be his wife. Bottom line, if you were unlucky enough to see Dr. Griffin or one of his associate at the hospital, for the sake of your child, yourself and your time don?t ever think of scheduling an office visit with him. You are better off going to LCPH as I did. Frankly, for a pediatric cardiologist (who sees newborns with heart conditions), a doctor or even a business, he should treat his patients with courtesy
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