OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery — Montgomery

I went for an annual visit which is 100% covered by BCBS. I then received a $35 bill from Ob-Gyn Associates of Montgomery. When I called their office and spoke with Melissa in billing I was told that I was charged the $35 because I asked the doctor questions about menopause during the visit. This did not seem correct to me, as I have never been charged an extra fee for asking questions. I called BCBS and was told that I was charged the $35 from Ob-Gyn Associates of Montgomery because they entered in a billing code for a diagnosis that I have never had, never been treated for, and never discussed with a doctor. The billing code that they used to charge me the $35 was not on the bill they sent me, they only used the billing code for the annual visit which is 100% covered. If it is normal practice to charge a patient for asking questions during the appointment, that should be disclosed up front and the correct billing code should be used. It's unethical to use a random billing code just to charge a patient money and also enter a false diagnosis in a patient's chart. I attempted to discuss this with their staff, but they offered no resolution and honestly they didn't seem to care. Apparently this is routine for them.

The clinic told me they would submit a Prior Authorization (PA) request for my treatment. However, when I checked with my insurance company over a week later, they confirmed that no such request had even been submitted. I have tried messaging the office to get an update, but I've received absolutely no response. It is incredibly irresponsible to leave a patient hanging like this when timely treatment is crucial. The lack of communication and urgency is highly disappointing. [UPDATE] My specialty medication is currently on hold because this clinic has failed to respond to the pharmacy's information requests for days. The pharmacy and I keep trying to contact them, but there is still no response. This situation is incredibly frustrating, and as a patient, I feel completely neglected and abandoned by this office. Unacceptable and irresponsible.

The front desk staff were very helpful and friendly today when the self-check in kiosk was being finicky. The front desk staff was exceptionally patient with the insurance debacle as well. The ultrasound nurse was amazing and answered all my curious questions. Brooke Watts is phenomenal as always. The Elevator Incident: all of 10 minutes. I got stuck in the elevator- literally door closed, no movement, knocking wasn't helping me, pushed all the buttons and nothing was happening. 1. Scary - that only happens to people in movies, not me. 2. AMAZING response time from staff. I called the operator (if you're a patient here- you know how long the hold can be; miraculously it only rang twice), I can't remember her name but I think it was Anna, and I'm like "I'm stuck in the elevator." She asked what side I was on and I was able to her before the phone started disconnecting. The elevator finally started moving and I was able to get out. There was a gaggle of patients waiting on the first floor, trying to get on the elevator but as soon as I came out I said "I was stuck in there for a minute" A doctor (not mine) overheard me say this and was immediately concerned (I appreciated that). He was quick to devise a plan of action and resolve the situation before it happened to anyone else. Anyway, they're a good office and you should definitely come here and no where else.

I love my doctor and the staff is consistently kind and professional, but OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery has ongoing, significant scheduling problems. As of today, I am seriously considering changing practices for this reason alone. I had an 11:00 a.m. appointment and arrived about 15 minutes early, checking in before 11. I was called back roughly 30 minutes later into the second waiting area that was completely packed-people were standing because there weren't enough chairs. I waited there for over an hour and a half and still had four patients ahead of me. Because I had a prior commitment at 2:00 p.m. (which I had assumed would leave plenty of time), I had to leave and reschedule. After more than two hours of waiting, I never saw my doctor. I'd experienced over-an-hour waits previously here, but passing two hours and still waiting-with others who'd been sitting there even longer.... please, please do something about this. I sincerely value my doctor and am disappointed to be thinking about switching practices, but consistently extreme delays like this are not acceptable.

Dr. Desautels has great bedside manner! I would recommend to family and friends.