Dr. Rajni Suresh Kalagate, MD

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding the unprofessional treatment I received from the staff at Dr. Kalagate’s office, which resulted in my abrupt and unjust dismissal as a patient. I have been under Dr. Kalagate’s care for over a year without any prior issues. However, the situation began when my daughter was referred as a new patient. After a month of not hearing back from the office, I called to follow up. I was informed that the referral had been received but had issues. I was told someone would call me back — that call never came. I followed up again and was then told that an insurance referral was required, which I explained was not the case. My insurance does not require referrals, and I have the same coverage for both myself and my daughter, which has never required one during my time as Dr. Kalagate’s patient. The office manager at the time was argumentative and dismissive, despite my calm explanation and offer to have the insurance company confirm our policy.… While she eventually agreed to schedule my daughter, she did so only after warning that I would be liable for the full cost if the insurance did not pay. When I asked to speak with her supervisor due to her rude behavior, she refused to provide a name or contact. Weeks later, when I called to confirm my upcoming appointment, I was told I had been discharged as a patient due to allegedly being “disruptive” during a visit with my daughter — a visit that never happened, as I never came to the office with my daughter. When I corrected the record, I was told it was instead due to being “disruptive” during my own visit — again, a claim with no basis in reality. At no point did I raise my voice or behave inappropriately. I was respectful throughout, despite being treated dismissively and given contradictory information. When the new office manager called me, she stated that Dr. Kalagate stands by the decision to dismiss me and “does not tolerate disruptive behavior.” When I asked what specifically I had done that was considered disruptive, I was given vague responses and told that “documentation” exists — documentation that, based on the false statements made, is clearly one-sided and inaccurate. I find this situation highly unprofessional and distressing. I was a respectful, compliant patient who simply sought care for my daughter and clarification on our insurance policy. I believe I was dismissed unfairly, without investigation or due process, and based on inaccurate information created by a prior staff member. Worse, Dr. Kalagate’s decision to support that without review suggests a disregard for patient advocacy and transparency.

As a patient who also works in the medical field, I can honestly say Dr. Kalagate is very knowledgeable and has superb manners. She is very sweet and made me feel comfortable enough to know i was being taken care of seriously. Dr. Kalagate made sure I was in little to no pain which I definitely appreciate.

I am so glad to find this doctor who takes her time with me, listens to my concerns, and is very compassionate.

I am going to go to this doctor for my treatment for the rest of my life.

I think Dr. Kalagate is the best rheumatologist in fort worth.

I have had good success with Dr. Kalagate. She is patient and impressive.

From the start seeing Dr. Kalagate and Texas Health Care was a disaster. I went to Dr. Kalagate's office last May. I was first told that blood work needed to be run. Instead of her office mgr checking with my insurance to see what was best for their patient, they sent it to their "in house" LabCorp--which was not on my insurance. I was over charged and billed for a huge amount. Then I had to argue to get the cost reduced to what it would have cost me without insurance at 10 other places in the Ft. Worth/Arlington area. When I asked Dr. Kalagate's office, why??? They said it was "what we do." I then had to refuse to have any blood work done at LabCorp because they wouldn't send it anywhere else and take it myself to another lab on my insurance (the next time my cost was $16). A month and a half after my first visit, I finally was prescribed methotrexate which made my stomach hurt and it took months to convince Dr. Kalagate to prescribe the injectable version, which still made my… stomach hurt. Trying to get her to understand was almost impossible. Then, when I was prescribed Enbrel it took months to get it. Why? Because her office did not contact my insurance to see which pharmacy (BCTX) would work with. So, the pharmacy Texas Health sent it to would not work with my insurance and the Enbrel foundation would not pay the extra due it being thousands of dollars. Finally, after being blamed for not calling and getting things straightened out--I got the Enbrel sent to the right pharmacy. Only then I had a reaction of hives to it. Instead of paying Texas Health and Dr. Kalagate another $153 to see the Dr., I went to my local GP to get a steroid shot and simply stopped taking the Enbrel until the hives went away. By the way, the difference in cost between seeing the GP and Dr. Kalagate was $35 vs $153. And, It was easy to tell that my decision did not set well with Dr. Kalagate or Texas Health. Last month, Dr. Kalagate and I had a discussion. I told her that I would be glad to take any of the next meds--by mouth or by injection. She prescribed Actemra. But again, Texas Health did not call the insurance to see if it was covered. After a month of waiting, I called them to only find out that they had "just heard" back from the insurance and the Dr. was waiting to decide if she was going to ask the insurance to reconsider. Instead of waiting on them, I called the insurance myself. BCTX told me that they had told Texas Health and Dr. Kalagate that I had to be on Xeljanz for 3 months before they would approve the Actemra. What is amazing is that I had told Dr. Kalagate that I would be glad to take the Actemra or the Xeljanz--it did not matter. The only thing that mattered was that we moved forward. When I called her office and spoke to the office manager, Cindy, she gave me the same song and dance I had gotten the previous two times. Upon telling her this was "totally unacceptable" she again gave the same old tired response. I called the insurance to let them know someone would be calling, but no, what happened this time? Dr. Kalagate and Texas Health Care decided they no longer needed me as a patient. From the beginning no one--Dr. Kalagate, Texas Health Care or any of their employees ever took responsibility. The blame was either the insurance, the pharmacy, the lab or me. It was never the Dr. or them. So,if you care about your health, don't go near this place.

She is not interested in explaining my medical condition . She said I am diagnosed with Ankylosis spondylitis and I need to be on medications . I kept asking questions she tried to rush me out and throw me out from office . They charge all that money for being specialist . Do not go there ever . Rough she is and she does not care about you . I doesn’t all that money for nothing . I called 4 times every time that stupid Brenda picks up call and says she’s busy she’s busy she’s busy , I. CAn hear her laughing in back . This is rediculus . I will reach out to upper management her license should be cancelled

really bad ... she know nothing

The provider seemed unentrested in my illness and my questions. She did not ask any follow up questions concerning my history and expressed no indication that she was listening to me.