Dr. Lindsy Jennifer Forbess, MD

Excellent

I am a new patient of Dr. Forbess. I am at the beginning stages of arthritis from aging and I am 58. Not a big deal but the doctor wanted to get base-line x-rays of my hands and feet. Sounds logical. She seemed quite knowledgeable so I scheduled the appointment and came in and after waiting 15 minutes in the lobby I was informed that their technician was out sick. The doctor who was overhearing my conversation with the receptionist could see that I was a little frustrated and jumped in with "no no no" she insisted that I go downstairs to have the x-rays taken in the Cedar Sinai lab and not to waste my personal time coming back. I did this. It took an additional hour because this lab was not really set up for x-raying feet or hands. I was patient with the entire situation. At no time was I warned that the fees would be quite different than any other x-rays I have had in the past. Today I got a bill for $2,078! After calling the insurance company and the hospital I discovered that if… this x-ray had been done in the doctor's office like it was scheduled for, I would of paid $30. But because it was referred to the lab downstairs in the hospital, the service became an out-patient hospital procedure. Therefore my $500 deductible + 20/80 kicked in and I was left with a final bill of $815. Most people do not have a low $500 deductible. When I called the doctor's office to discuss I was told that it wasn't their problem or responsibility. I was informed that it was between me and the hospital and the Insurance company. All the while, the receptionist put me on hold repeatedly. She refused to allow me to speak directly with the doctor which is flat out unethical. She advised that I wait for my next appointment to speak directly with the doctor. Basically this office does not act in an accountable and knowledgable manor and after this experience, there is no way I could trust them. If I was the doctor I would seriously consider replacing any office personnel who treat patients the way I was treated and train my employees to be knowledgeable about costs of procedures and services. For the record, the insurance company informed me that the doctor and her office should be fully aware of what they are ordereding in terms of costs and that it is their responsibility to discuss these costs with their patient before services are rendered. I feel personally offended that I have to pay this exorbitant fee. I am appealing the costs with my Insurance company. An office demonstrating ignorance is simply unexceptable in this day and age. I should of listened to the other reviews which talked about the poor office protocol. Imagine if this was something more complicated.

Wonderful, caring and spoted a skin cancer problem