Dr. James A Gilbert Jr, MD

I was not given a heads up that a tetanus shot Dr Gandour recommend and provided during my last visit may not be covered by Medicare, it wasn't. I called the UMass billing department with no resolution offered, I was only told it is my personal responsibility to check all procedures out for insurance coverage myself before I allow services to be provided by the doctor or his staff, really? This goes counter to my previous experience during a prior visit with Dr Gandour when I was advised that the new shingles shot may not be covered by Medicare, this set a president in my mind to expect such a notice. I also called the local office with no help given, I was told to call the UMass central billing and the local office manager never called me back. The next day I called the UMass patient advocate's office and was informed that central billing was not responsible for billing but the local office was, so I call the local office back again and finally reached the local office manager, she… lied and told me that no one had the power to change any bill. I know this was a lie as I had an unfair bill changed with a prior UMass doctor's office the last year. Bottom line, I do not feel that my needs were met by this office. As a veteran I could have gotten this shot at the VA for free if I had any notion that it was going to cost me $146.60. It is my belief that I was provided a service with their knowledge that I was going to be personally responsible for the bill, this was an irresponsible and uncaring move made worse by them refusing to make any adjustment. After finally getting to speak with Dr. Gandour I was informed that I was being terminated immediately as a patient for calling out his lying office manager. Go to this provider at your own risk, the office staff is bad, real bad.

Dr. Gilbert is an outstanding doctor and has a staff that ranks with the best of all the doctors I've seen in 60 years. He was the only doctor to manage my medications so I was not almost forced into renal failure. I have been lucky enough to have him manage my medications to better manager the many problems I have had come about in the last 15 years. If I only need 30 of one type of medication that is what he prescribes thru my pharmacy. He does not give you a medication to compensate for another, he finds the right one for you and makes sure you know why he is doing it. You can ask as many questions with him as you feel you need to, he will decide what it is you actually need for treatment. He is a rare and worthy doctor in this day and age.