Complaint Review: Upper Cervical Clinics of Idaho

The issues between Dr. Blom and me have been resolved as of lebruary 2011 via mediation in small claims court.  The overall and billing issues were unfortunate but due to incomplete information that both parties had at that time and a lack of poor communication between the parties.   It is too bad both parties could not have talked earlier in order to resolve the issues at hand in order to avoid going to court.

If I have written or stated anything that was false or misleading I do apologize as my intent was to be 100% factual.  My comments were based on the information that I possessed when written.  I wished this site had an edit feature.

I sincerely apologize to Dr. Blom and his office if anything I wrote was misleading as that was not my intent. 

If anyone's buying the posting (#4)  made by the so-call patient of this chiroprator who's patient just happen to come across the Rip off report Website than you deserve to be rip off. How dumb does this so called doctors office think we are. The odd's of one of his patients just happening to come across this web site, and just happens to type in his chiropators name has to be higher odds then winning the lottery; not to mention the great amount of time and details put into the posting with information and terms that only someone in the medical field would know like a chiroquacker or front office clerk. If it is true that this alleged patient thinks this chiropractor and his office is the greatest thing since the invention of penicillin then why is this same patient checking his "super"  Doctor of chiroquacker on the rip-off report web site ? How many of you out there who are happy with your medical care check your chiropractor, medical doctor, or even dentist on the rip off report web site? I would think about zero unless you have nothing bettter to do with your time. Think about it and you will see there posting is most likely is a inside job done by the office..

I am fairly new at this RipOffReport.com thing, but I thought I would just provide my two cents on the matter above.
 
First, I am very surprised by some of the comments/accusations against the Doctor. It is, also, very unfortunate that this person claims to have had such a negative experience. I have been a patient of the Doctor for over 2 years now and my experience as a patient has been wonderful. My personal health has improved drastically and I have never felt better. Even with all of the craziness increasing in my life, I feel healthy, happy and ready for anything.
 
Second, during my 2+ years in his offices, I have switched insurance policies (due to career changes) twice, and both times I have felt much supported by the Doctor and staff. He explained, in detail, the benefits of each policy and how that would impact my payments. When I first began care, I paid that initial exam fee, while the office gathered information regarding my benefits, and once we knew what and how much was covered, the initial fee went on my account as a credit to cover additional visits once my benefits were exhausted. Sadly, insurance companies are not always there to support the patient and it sounds like your situation is between you and your provider. Even as the economy took a turn for the worst and everyone’s financial belts were tighten, I really appreciated the Doctors willingness to work with me and my financial situations. He made health easily accessible to my family and me.  
 
Third, I never took part in the Christmas Gift Tree, however, he did host a very similar event in the late summer/early fall to help raise school supplies for the area school. If I remember correctly, the complimentary visit or exam had to be used within a month or two of the event. I have a difficult time seeing him “refuse” to honor the “coupon” if it was within the time frame.
 
Last of all, having some experience in the medical field and knowledge of HIPAA, a doctor is legally required to provide you with a copy of your medical records. It is not uncommon for a doctor to charge for the copy, especially if it includes X-Rays. Many have to be sent out and copied as very few doctors have the ability to copy them in the office. Also, many doctors, especially chiropractors, take very specific X-rays. It could be best to have the new doctor take his/her specific X-rays to provide you with the best possible care. For instance, would you want a surgeon using a full body X-Ray when doing surgery on your broken left ankle?

At small claims mediation, we agreed to resolve the dispute with Dr. Blom issuing a check to me to reimburse me for my  fees. I stand by what I wrote in my updated   posts on this site  based on the insurance documentation and email evidence that I have; as well as the lack of explanation/reply  from Dr. Blom. I have agreed to  apologize if I made any inaccurate statements about Blom or upper  cervical clinics of idaho.    However, I honestly tried to be as factual as possible based on my documented file.

After a year, Dr. Blom still has not refunded my deposit ($175) that should have been as I had met my out of pocket maximum anthus no coinsurance or copay was due.

He waited approximately 4.5 months after my first visit to billinsurance for the initial exam and xrays which is the most most
expensive part of his services (he billed the insurance $275, later increased to $375).. By that time my chiro benefit was exhausted and he sent me to collectionsbecause I would not pay the bill as I was disputing its validity..

Icomplained to Blue of being overcharged (ex. $120 for officevisit vs. most chiros only bill $40-50 to insurance) and mis-billed and they told him to reduce my bill. He reduced some charges but appealed. His appeal was denied but he has another appeal.

He refused after 4 email attempts in one week to give me written approval to see another chiropractor for our young son (in the same office but a different practice). They are the only two chiros n the city who practice a technique we thought would help our young son who has some behavioral and developmental issues.

He did not to honor hisgiving tree Christmas promotion last year of a free office visit. Only after I complained to Blue cross did he withdraw his billing for one of my office visits.

He refuses to release my xrays to another chiro until my disputed bill is paid. He insists I come current and pay for the copying of my xrays as well. Hipa violation?

After a year, Dr. Blom still has not refunded my deposit ($175) that should have been as I had met my out of pocket maximum anthus no coinsurance or copay was due.



He waited approximately 4.5 months after my first visit to bill insurance for the initial exam and xrays which is the most most expensive part of his services (he billed the insurance $275). . By that time my chiro benefit was exhausted and he sent me to collections because I would not pay the bill as I was disputing its validity..

I complained to Blue Cross of being overcharged (ex. $120 for office visit vs. most chiros only bill $40-50 to insurance) and mis-billed and they told him to reduce my bill. He reduced some charges but appealed. His appeal was denied but he has another appeal.



He refused after 4 email attempts in one week to give me written approval to see another chiropractor for our young son (in the same office but a different practice). They are the only two chiros n the city who practice a technique we thought would help our young son who has some behavioral and developmental issues.

He refused to honor his

giving tree Christmas promotion last year of a free office visit. Only after I complained to Blue cross did he withdraw his billing for one of my office visits.

He refuses to release my xrays to another chiro until my disputed bill is paid. He insists I come current and pay for the copying of my xrays as well. Hipa violation?