FIRST CHOICE EMERGENCY ROOM FCER FCER RIP OFF SCAM First Choice Emergency Room Murphy, Texas
I went to this medical facility because I thought I might have strep. Went there, they got me in and out in about 10-15 minutes tops. I did not have strep...but they gave me a Z-pack for infection and Vicodin for the pain of sore throat even though I told them the pain was a 3 out of 10 with 10 being the worst pain in my life. I left without any payment required and thought...man this place is great. Then about 45 days later, receive a bill for almost 1100 dollars! Basically went in with a cold, and come out with an 1100 dollar bill. Apparently there is a facility fee of approximately 800 dollars for the 10-15 minutes I was there. They called an told me they could take 30 percent of the bill if I paid 750 right now over the phone. I said I am willing to pay 30 percent and never go back, but I only had to pay 400 dollars to a specialist when my daughter broke her arm with several checkup visits. What makes them think that 1100 dollars for a cold is fair or reasonable? They said they are considered an emergency room. I said, you are located right beside a Planet Tan and Hibachi grill in a 24 hour fitness parking lot...are you serious? They said they would send me to collections. I said go ahead, I already told you I would pay 30% and never come back, but if that is not fair and reasonable...do what you feel you gotta do. It appears other people are experiencing the same kind of billing treatment.. http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/First-Choice-Emergency.aspx
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Frederick
Thornton,Colorado,
USA
This Is A Free Standing Emergency Room
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, September 23, 2015
I have visited FCER Emergency Rooms as a patient. The signs outside and inside the facility is clearly marked FCER Emergency Room. When you walk come in you are greeted with "Hello, welcome to the emergency room". Every paper I signed had Emergency Room printed on them and all the employees had on scrubs with the emergency room logo. As you walk in the first thing you see is a CAT Scan machine and x-ray equiptment. How may afterhour clinics or urgent care facilities have on site CAT Scan machines. I went for a true emergency...not a sore throat. I had broken my ankle and did not want to wait in pain for hours at a hospital. First Choice Emergency Room was close and had no wait time. I was in and out in less than an hour with x-rays and a follow up appointment made with a specialist. Yes, there was a large bill, but is was the same price as going to a hospital emergency room. If you do not want to pay emergency room prices do not to an emergency room for a sore throat, minor allergic reaction or anything that is not a true emegency. It is not FCER fault people choose to go to an ER for non-life threating health issues. I am glad this facility was located close to a shopping center with a pharmacy close by, and having to deal with a emergency room at a hospital on the other side of town. I will return to FCER for an emergency. I would also suggest that if you have a sore throat going to your doctor or an urgent care. Also, do not complain about a bill you inccured by choosing to use an emergency room as your primary care provider.
Caleb
Texas,shady dealings
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, October 25, 2014
I understand, after the fact, that this place considers itself a true Emergancy Room. That being said they are pretty suspect in their dealings. Charging facility fees because of equiptment at other locations, having false reviews on common review sites online (look into it), and intentionally not being open about charges untill the bill is sent. My wallet found this out the hard way.
David
Humble,Texas,
What was the outcome
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, June 17, 2013
I'm experiencing the same issue with FCER and would like to know what the outcome was. Did you end up paying your bill there? I am looking for a way to bring enough attention to this places practices to stop them from continuing with this fraud. Everything about this place leads consumers to think walk in clinic and they hit you with an ER bill. There has to be a way to hit them back!
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
It is the EMERGENCY ROOM!!!
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, November 01, 2012
Not an outpatient clinic or a Doctor's Office - cost alot more to run an ER which is for EMERGENCIES!!! NOT strep throat! I sliced my leg open a week ago and had to go to the ER because the wound was so deep. I expect the bill to reflect such charges because it was Midnight and I had no choice to avoid infection. And NO I do not work for this company or even live anywhere near said facility.
cranky28
wylie,United States of America
Visited same place with big time rip off
#6General Comment
Thu, November 01, 2012
Avoid this place or you'll get ripped off big time.
I went there with my son to check on his allergies after he experienced some breathing problems and rush on his torso. I gave him a dose of Benadryl and he was better after ten min. But decided to go there just to be sure everything is fine.
The visit was long less than 10 min. The doctor said that was good thing we gave him the Benadryl right away and continue to do that next 24 hours. That was it!!!
Outcome: $948 for the First Choice and $298 for the Doc. !!!!!! I'm disputing this with my insurance and stay away from this place.