01/06/09

Very sensible, but charges are not in line with services

by jlanam

We've been going to Dr. Young for a few years now, and we've always been very happy with her. She really seems to know what she's talking about, takes your concerns seriously, and has very common-sense advice for handling normal children's illnesses.

However, the THIRD time my son had strep throat in just a few months, I wanted to just get a nurse-only strep test so I could just get an Rx for antibiotics. Instead, after it came back positive, Dr. Young came in and saw him for about 5-7 minutes and added a $90 full office visit (not even the $40 abbreviated office visit on the form, which I've never seen them use) to the $70 we had already paid for the nurse-only strep test! When I told her that with our insurance WE pay for this type of visit, she called our insurance company "a racket" (it's BCBS, by the way - very reputable) with a look of contempt and said, "Just wait 'til you try to get any money out of them." And then, "I don't run my practice that way."

I controlled myself from saying it, but in my opinion a RACKET is when you already know (as a mother of 4) what the child has, pay $70 for a test to confirm it, and then the Dr. charges you ANOTHER $90 for 7 minutes of her time (after you wait another 30 minutes for her to come in). I realize medical school is pricey, but WHO is worth $770 an hour???

If you have an HMO and only pay a copay no matter what the Dr. charges you for, I think you will be happy with her. However, I think this is why our premiums AND our copays go up every year. So this year we elected to try to manage our healthcare costs and pay a lower premium for less coverage, and I object to what I think is blatant overcharging, and this is how we're treated!

• Pros: Great bedside manner, usually short waits
• Cons: Most office staff not friendly, recent receptionist exception, overcharges for visits

08/02/08

Good Doctor!

by skymom36

Since we have moved around a a lot since having our son 10 months ago we have see a few doctors, the first was good the second not and the specialists were just busy and distracted- so we really appreciated Dr. Young. She was friendly and down to earth but she noticed small things that we had to point out to others and she explained what is was and reassured us that all was well-

We are very pleased with her experience and willingness to discuss our issues clearly. She lets us know what she reccomends and she is firm but she also lets us 'process' or 'vent' our concerns and questions. We are new parents so we have a lot of questions and she has been patient and communicative.

• Pros: the doctor and nurses were great with the baby
• Cons: sometimes the office staff are a little cold