Complaint Review: Cleveland Clinic

Still suffering unbearable pain from knee surgery at the Clinic seven years ago, I have paid thousands of dollars to try to get to what went wrong. Of course they deny anything is wrong, though put me through nerve tests, injections, Xrays, MRIs, acupuncture, PT numerous times with little relief. I met with a revision surgeon who said that despite me being on record allergic to nickel and chromium....there is little chance that inside the body this would cause any problems. Right - in a wet system - there is no interaction with metals!!! So after 7 years again I opted to attempt PT and had my doctor submit an order as a preliminary to pain management (protocol on this).

I went for the first consult that was a brief and friendly meeting and set up times to begin PT. I was called out of town and called the Clinic to reschedule a month later. They said unfortunately I would have to get a new prescription. No problem - and cancelled the upcoming visits. The next month I received a bill for $876 for the 10 minute meeting with the PT on the intake. In the past, my insurance has always covered intake and PT with a co-pay of $15-$20 per visit. I thought surely there must be a mistake.

I was told that each of the PT facilities charges differently on the intake and perhaps that was why the bill was so high. Insurance would cover a reasonable amount, paying $376.62 as max for this procedure. So it was my responsibility to pay the $508.38 difference. Again, I thought this is surely a mistake. I called Anthem and the Clinic and it turns out to meet with anyone for a consult in that particular facility cost more than other Cleveland Clinic PT facilities. Nobody could provide a rationale for this.

Previously I had called about the $85 charge I had to pay to walk into a Cleveland Clinic building to get an Xray....for the ambiance of their art collection and gift shops, television at every turn, etc. Now I am an artist who is willing to pay membership fees to go to the Cleveland Art Museum or any other venue of the sort to see artwork. But to get an Xray - no way....and they lost my order from the physician who was previously at the Clinic, now in private practice. After multiple phone calls between my doctor and the head of Xray, they agreed to do the procedure.

Later I found that I had been charged for this through a doctor I had never seen who was at the Clinic. This place is completely out of control, spreading like a virus across the landscape and only infecting everyone with their financial abuse. I am charged for doctors I don't see or who have never talked to me (not someone who say reads the Xray...that would be another thing entirely) I am DONE with this outrageous practice. I would like this to be investigated. And just to be clear - I know I am among the lucky ones who have insurance and although suffering, not on my death bed....but I swear this place could send you there.