Dr. Barry Greene Dishonest business practices Rockville Maryland
Today I had an appointment with Dr. Greene about having a lap-band procedure performed. After paying $210 for the visit I was informed that my insurance company would not pay for the surgery because Dr. Greene is out of network with my health insurance. I was informed by one of his staff members(Aida or Amy I think) on a previous occasion that the surgery would be covered by my insurance but his office visits would not. This is not to complain about Dr. Greene's ability as a surgeon, just to be clear.
My complaint is that I was lied to and I feel that his staff members had more than sufficient time to inform me of this insurance issue prior to my office visit and prior to taking my $210. I feel that they get you into the office just to try to sell you on paying for the surgery out of pocket.
I hope that anyone considering using Dr. Greene makes d**n sure what they are going to be charged for and what their insurance will and will not cover. I got screwed but I hope nobody else makes the same mistake I did.
Brian
Germantown, Maryland
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Barry Greene
Rockville,Maryland,
Patient recieved Excellent value for his money
#3REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, November 03, 2013
In 2009 this patient came to a FREE seminar where he was taught about Obesity, it's causes, treatments and how to call HIS insurance company to determine If HIS insurance company will pay for surgery. We handed him a typed instruction sheet telling him how to find out if his surgery will be covered by his insurance company. He then made an appointment and was told that his visit was to be paid in advance and that we were not in his network. He then received nutritional counseling and education as well as a full history and physical by me, a board certified physician. When we called his insurance company, we found that his insurance company would not pay us for performing his surgery. When we told him this, he wanted the fee for the consultation back. I offered to send the report to another physician. He felt that it was my responsibility to learn his insurance policy. Even though I believe that it is each person’s responsibility to understand THEIR policy benefits BEFORE using a physician’s services, We now determine to the best of our ability, if a patient's insurance will pay for us to do their surgery. We tell the patient about their policy before their appointment and give them the option to see an in-network provider. We still have many patients who feel that their health is worth a $12,000 surgery even if their insurance will not pay. ($12,000 includes all hospital, anesthesia and surgeon fees for a Lap Band surgery. A bargain to help get your health back) We even have patients from other countries and states come to us for surgery.
I therefore believe that we provided a great value and not a ripoff.
Barry Greene, MD, FACS, FASMBS
catalystnow
Chevy Chase,Maryland,
United States of America
No patient is ever told the surgery is covered
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, March 16, 2012
Dr. Greene and his team in my experiences, never tells anyone the surgery is covered until the insurance
company, gathers all the blood tests, reports, and data. And actually receives an approval letter from the
insurance company. Sometimes it can take a few weeks, to several months, for his team to refile, and basically within the guidelines of your actual health history. Maybe Brain misunderstood, or has wishful thinking because hundreds of patients through his support group over 23 years can tell you that is, well impossible.