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  • Report:  #474365

Complaint Review: FORMA - Functional Orthopedic Rehabiliation Medicine Associates - Thomas Bakman D.C. - Jack Hewitt

FORMA - Functional Orthopedic Rehabiliation Medicine Associates - Claudio Carvalho D.O - Thomas Bakman, D.C. - Jack Hewitt - Chiro Ripoff - Falsified Medical Records and Ordered Unneeded Services and X-rays Costa Mesa California

  • Reported By:
    — Newport Beach California
  • Submitted:
    Wed, July 29, 2009
  • Updated:
    Thu, October 15, 2009
  • FORMA - Functional Orthopedic Rehabiliation Medicine Associates - Thomas Bakman, D.C. - Jack Hewitt
    230 East 17th Street, Suite 202
    Costa Mesa, California
    U.S.A.
  • Phone:
    949-999-0777
  • Category:
    Chiropractors
*General Comment: If you only took the time....

I was advised by the above medical providers that I needed X-rays and multiple types of physical therapy, even though I had not had an accident or injury.

I was told by Jack Hewitt that his fee for services was $120 with insurance or $60 cash per visit. I was shocked when I started receiving the bills and each visit had five or six different charges which totaled nearly $500.

I asked for a copy of my file. There were numerous instances in my chart where Jack Hewitt had written in that I complained of pain, which is completely false. I think he falsified the records in an attempt to justify the procedures he was ordering. I believe this consititues insurance fraud.

The bills also contained the name of a doctor that I've never met by the name of Bakman. It's my opinion that the providers at FORMA don't care one thing about the health of their patients and that all they're concerned with is lining their pockets at their patients' expense. Greed, pure and simple.

Mad as hell
Newport Beach, California
U.S.A.

1 Updates & Rebuttals

Darin

USA

If you only took the time....

#2General Comment

Thu, October 15, 2009

I have been a patient of FORMA, Dr. Bakman, Dr. Carvalho, and the other physical therapists for several years now.  They have treated me for back, foot, and knee issues relating to my marathon endeavors and life mishaps.  I can say with 100% confidence that the author of the original report simply did not take the time to learn about the necessary tests and their subsequent charges.  Had this person taken the time (as I and my wife have) to ask questions why certain tests are needed, and why charges show up on the bill the way they do, there wouldn't need to be a report filed, and this person would be "Happy" in Newport Beach, California.



To be entirely honest, I had recently dealt with two different podiatrists telling me I had a tear in the arch of my foot.  The second one put me in one of those annoying rocker boots to "give it time to heal".  I was at FORMA with my wife when, out of the blue, Dr. Carvalho walked by me, stopped, greeted me and asked me about my foot.  I told him what I was told by the podiatrists, and that I didn't feel it was healing.  Five minutes later and a few simple standing movements confirmed to Dr. C that the problem wasn't in my foot...it was in my lower back!!  The next day, I got an X-ray and then an MRI.  Sure enough...the MRI showed the narrowing of the area around a nerve in my lower back that travels down to my foot.  Now, had I continued dealing with the podiatrists, I would have continued to throw my gait off and aggravated the condition in my back, and would have spent hundreds of dollars on needless appointments, orthodics, and other useless stuff.  Instead, I did a little physical therapy and haven't had a problem since.



I am sorry that Mr./Mrs. Newport Beach did not take the time to ask a few simple questions that would have cleared this up, because they are missing out on a TRULY amazing group of professionals who are willing and able to take care of their patients.  I have spoken to well over 20 others who have been, or are currently patients of FORMA, and each of them have expressed their gratitude and admiration for their skills as a medical group.  I am sure a simple telephone call or a visit to FORMA's patient concierge would clear this up.  Yes...you heard me correctly!  FORMA has a staff member who is there to help ensure your experience is top notch...including answering questions about your insurance, and your bills.



The services are there, but if you don't use them...who's fault is that?

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