Complaint Review: GMS-A Primary Physician Group Practice

I am writing this complaint in reference to an appointment I had with Dr. Fraizer for the first time on August 20, 2007. I have been a patient at the GMS center for about a year now and have never been treated in the manner that I was today. The secretaries and nursing staff are decent enough, but they too appear to suffer from a lack of empathy and concern for their patients. I realize now; however, that working for Dr. Frazier could most certainly have that impact on a person. I needed to see Dr. Fraizer today in order to get a referral by him to a specialist for whom I desperately need to see in regards to a medical condition I have recently acquired. I was able to make an appointment with this particular specialist for the end of this week, but just needed Dr. Fraizer to "okay" it by sending a referral to his office in order for my insurance to cover it. Dr. Fraizer arrogantly denied my request stating "we do not refer to that group." When I inquired as to why not, he grinned and happily stated "we just don't, it's too much of a hassle." Unfortunately and unknowingly as to why, he appeared to enjoy being a pompous jerk to a desperate patient in need of prompt medial care. He stated that he could make a referral to another specialist, but not the one I already had an appointment with and would be able to see in 3 days. When I mentioned that it will probably take up to one to two months to see any other specialist, he nodded in agreement and said "Choose another primary physician if you want to be referred to that specialist, but I won't do it. You don't have to come here if you don't like." I was absolutely astonished at the incredible rudeness I was experiencing from a person in a "helping" profession. I will NEVER go back to GMS again based on the way I was treated by him. He was not willing to do what it took to please or help his patient in any way. The most disturbing part about this situation was having to watch him display such a cavalier attitude throughout the entire interaction. It is unbelieveable that this physician denied his patient proper medical care based on the fact that he would not have money put in his pocket by referring me to a particular specialist.

Kate
Tampa, Florida
U.S.A.