Allegheny Health Network

The centralized scheduling system is too convulted and should be done away with.
Trying to make an appointment, while in pain, being asked too many questions is not a good customer experience. I was fit in previous visits when in pain ! Now, NO...the scheduler says I can have an appointment in one week.!The head of AGH needs to be replaced because her operations to provide timely care is a lie. Forget the same day appointment mantra. It's false.

I have have had 4 televisits with Dr. The nurse calls and says Dr is on schedule and everytime she's Bern late not only 5 mins but up to 50 mins I'm here waiting for the phone call and if I had missed or late for appt I would of been charged the copayment as I am when she's late I still have to pay it nothing said. I begining to wonder if its worth. I understand she's the only Dr in ellwood city but come on get help or do something with schedule or I will find another Dr. The odds there aren't the best 4 out of 4 bring late

This is the second time I have had an appointment cancelled by AHN and no one has called to inform me. This time I drove all the way to West Penn Hospital from Westmoreland County for an appointment in the Autoimmune Clinic and when I got there I was informed my appointment was cancelled because I had already seen another doctor when I was in the hospital. That AHN doctor instructed me to keep my appointment because he had no solution for my two year long problem. This is a second rate hospital system in my opinion, if your insurance allows people should got to UPMC for treatment. The first time this happened to me I was discharged from Forbes and told to follow up with a foot specialist. He cancelled my appointment and never notified me. I learned of the cancellation when I happened to check my chart and the reason given was patient. That was a complete lie. I turned to a UOMC foot specialist and he was wonderful.

This is the re-addressing of complaint # [redacted] I received a notice today that the complaint was marked closedDue to my non-response to whether or not I felt this issues resolvedI sent a message to the Revdex.com regarding my inability to choose it as being resolved because while some of this issue was resolved there was a portion that was notI sent the following email on 10/18/14: From: [redacted] /Date: October 18, at 11:40:PM EDTTo: " [redacted] Subject: You have a new message from the Revdex.com serving Western Pennsylvania regarding complaint # [redacted] "Just wanted to inform you that I have not responded to or accepted the resolution because I am still waiting on a call/ email back from ms [redacted] regarding the refund of the $my husband paid CMC that was erroneousI didn't see an option to put comments so just so you are awareThank you." I received no response back from Revdex.com so I assumed that this email was documented and that you were working on getting a response from [redacted] If you are unable to reopen this claim, please start another one as emails and phone calls to [redacted] regarding refundthis issue have gone unanswered I would like the $that was charged to my husband from CMC on Allegheny Clinic's behalf to be refunded back to us as per Ms [redacted] the charges on our accounts were not correct and she was going to fix my account and make the erroneous charges void

Good morning;
I am in receipt of your letter dated 9/24/14 regarding the case referenced above.  I spoke with Ms. [redacted] this morning and confirmed that the matter has been addressed and resolved.
 
Thank you.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

This is...

the re-addressing of complaint #[redacted]. I received a notice today that the complaint was marked closed. Due to my non-response to whether or not I felt this issues resolved. I sent a message to the Revdex.com regarding my inability to choose it as being resolved because while some of this issue was resolved there was a portion that was not. I sent the following email on 10/18/14: From: [redacted]/Date: October 18, 2014 at 11:40:09 PM EDTTo: "[redacted]Subject: You have a new message from the Revdex.com serving Western Pennsylvania regarding complaint #[redacted]. "Just wanted to inform you that I have not responded to or accepted the resolution because I am still waiting on a call/ email back from ms [redacted] regarding the refund of the $150 my husband paid CMC that was erroneous. I didn't see an option to put comments so just so you are aware. Thank you." I received no response back from Revdex.com so I assumed that this email was documented and that you were working on getting a response from [redacted]. If you are unable to reopen this claim, please start another one as emails and phone calls to [redacted] regarding refund. this issue have gone unanswered.          
I would like the $150 that was charged to my husband from CMC on Allegheny Clinic's behalf to be refunded back to us as per Ms. [redacted] the charges on our accounts were not correct and she was going to fix my account and make the erroneous charges void.

I would like to know why the insurance companies pay doctors when they do nothing to the patient.. I went to five different doctors and each one of them directed me to different doctors.. I feel that I'm a cash cow and all they worried about is getting paid.. now the fifth doctor is telling me to go see another doctor.. when will the insurance company start wising up.. if a doctor cannot help you and refer you to another doctor that doctor should not get paid. I like to know why the healthcare system is not making the doctors accountable

Review: Purchased a GOLDEN LIFT CHAIR THROUGH MEDICARE WITH ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BACK IN SEPTEMBER, DELIVERED IN OCTOBER 2015. WE HAVE CALLED 2 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. LAST TIME IT TOOK 8 WEEKS TO HAVE THE CHAIR REPAIR PERSON EXAMINE THE CHAIR. ON MAY 21, 2016, THE REMOTE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THEY CAME OUT JUNE 21 AND THEY HAVE NOT YET RETURNED WITH THE NEW REMOTE. FRIDAY, JULY 8, A CALL WAS MADE ASKING FOR INFORMATION AND WE WERE TOLD THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT WOULD GET BACK TO THEM AN THEY WOULD RETURN THE CALL. YESTERDAY, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL US BACK TOO. TODAY, I SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR, NANCY, SHE SAID IT WAS PURCHASED AND WOULD ARRIVE MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016.

MY FATHER, CHARLES S. CARDYN, IS 83 YEARS OLD AND 240#, MY MOTHER IS PICKING HIM UP! SHE IS 82. THE COMPANY IS AWARE! THE ACCOUNT IS IN HIS NAME.Desired Settlement: I KNOW NO OTHER BUSINESS THAT RUNS THIS POORLY, NOT EVEN GOVERNMENT! THE WARRANTY MAY BE UP BEFORE THIS CHAIR IS REPAIRED. WE ALL WANT TO RETURN THE CHAIR AND GET OUR MONEY BACK.

Review: I am being billed twice. Physical Therapy bill for July 2015. Just received a bill for July of 2015 stating I still owe co-pays. Co-pays were paid back in July of 2015. This is an old bill that regenerated because insurance just paid it. I have extinguished my 401k due to extensive medical bills and cannot afford to pay this bill twice. I do not have the receipts any longer as they are last years bills. Allegheny General Hospital is making me send them the money or will turn me into collections. I cannot afford to pay this twice.Desired Settlement: I feel that this is an error due to the fact that they change billing systems. All AHN bills were transferred into the EPIC system. I do not keep receipts that are a year old and the medical facility should not expect me to. I also feel that being billed just now for services a year ago is unreasonable. I have paid these two co-pays already.

Review: I was billed for a doctor visit that occurred over a year ago and I had already paid the bill and had a $0 balance on my account. Furthermore, I left voicemail to get some information on tests that were run and never got any information back. The nurse did call me back a good 6 months after my initial visit indicating they would follow-up, but after that call, I have never received any more calls back.Desired Settlement: I would like to get the balance on the bill removed.

Review: I am a US Army Veteran and I paid out of pocket for an emergency room visit in August 2015. After finding out that the VA compensates for non VA care, I called Canonsburg Hospital billing department in October 2015 in order to forward the bills to the VA so that I can get my out of pocket expenses refunded to me. Canonsburg Hospital was initially denied by the VA because the bill was not sent in a timely fashion. After numerous calls and waiting from myself, Canonsburg Hospital finally sent an appeal in December 2015 showing that it was timely. Again, after numerous calls asking for Canonsburg Hospital to follow up on my case, nobody has done anything. They say they will follow up but they do nothing, simply responding with "we don't know who to send it to" or "we don't know to call at the VA". This has been almost an entire year and I have been calling back and forth between Canonsburg Hospital and the VA and they are the ones getting paid! It is apparent that this hospital does not care about Veterans.Desired Settlement: Do the right thing and please make the phone calls, write letters, do what you have to resolve my case with the VA and refund me my out of pocket expenses.

Business

Response:

Dear Revdex.com Investigator:Allegheny Health Network and Canonsburg Hospital are in receipt of the Revdex.com complaint (submitted June 6,2016; ID No. [redacted] regarding a patient’s visit to the Canonsburg Hospital emergency departmentOut of respect for the privacy and confidentiality of our patients protected health information, which may include both clinical and financial records, and our obligation to comply with privacy laws, we have a process for responding directly to the complainant in accordance with local, state and federal privacy regulations, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations. We have responded to the patient directly regarding the complaint.The patient, if he wishes, may in turn share our response with the Revdex.com.Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please let us know how we can be of further assistance.Sincerely,Interim President CEOExecutive Vice President, Central Region

Allegheny Health Network is a nuisance neighbor. They built a facility in the Northside neighborhood that includes a helipad. The hospital recently changed its policy so that helicopters fly directly over the neighborhood, at all hours of the day and night. The manager of this division refuses to instruct the flyers to avoid the neighborhood and has become unresponsive to complaints.

Review: I have received several calls from CMC saying that medical bills that were past due from [redacted] as far back as 2011 were submitted to them for collection. Bills ive never received. I asked to have copies of what I supposed l owe and I was told that CMC wouldn't send that information to me and neither would [redacted]. I'm not sure who it their right mind would pay $1209 for something they have no recollection of or knowledge of the fact that invoives have NOT been received by me and I would like to see them before I pay anythingDesired Settlement: I would liken bills for evrything I owe to verify I indeed

Business

Response:

Good morning;

I am in receipt of your letter dated 9/24/14 regarding the case referenced above. I spoke with Ms. [redacted] this morning and confirmed that the matter has been addressed and resolved.

Thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Consumer

Response:

This is the re-addressing of complaint #[redacted]. I received a notice today that the complaint was marked closed. Due to my non-response to whether or not I felt this issues resolved. I sent a message to the Revdex.com regarding my inability to choose it as being resolved because while some of this issue was resolved there was a portion that was not. I sent the following email on 10/18/14: From: [redacted]/Date: October 18, 2014 at 11:40:09 PM EDTTo: "[redacted]Subject: You have a new message from the Revdex.com serving Western Pennsylvania regarding complaint #[redacted]. "Just wanted to inform you that I have not responded to or accepted the resolution because I am still waiting on a call/ email back from ms [redacted] regarding the refund of the $150 my husband paid CMC that was erroneous. I didn't see an option to put comments so just so you are aware. Thank you." I received no response back from Revdex.com so I assumed that this email was documented and that you were working on getting a response from [redacted]. If you are unable to reopen this claim, please start another one as emails and phone calls to [redacted] regarding refund. this issue have gone unanswered.

I would like the $150 that was charged to my husband from CMC on Allegheny Clinic's behalf to be refunded back to us as per Ms. [redacted] the charges on our accounts were not correct and she was going to fix my account and make the erroneous charges void.

Review: I called Allegheny Health Network to schedule an appointment as a new patient with a new primary care physician, after hearing multiple advertisements stating that they "did not choose sides" and accept most insurances (I have [redacted]). I selected a Dr. based on his excellent reviews and, after the woman on the phone several times confirmed that they do accept my insurance and that I have no copay for primary care physician office visits, scheduled an appointment.

My first appointment was on 2/20/2015, and I gave the front desk coordinator my insurance card and was again told, no copay, insurance accepted. On completion of my appointment, I checked out at the front desk, confirmed AGAIN, and scheduled a follow-up appointment for 3/24/2015. On 3/24/2015, I arrived at my appointment, asked again if any payment was due, and was told "no."

Shortly after that, I received an Explanation of Benefits from [redacted] showing that Allegheny Health Network does NOT accept MY particular plan, and a bill for $365 from Allegheny Health Network. After speaking with the office manager at my physician's office, at her suggestion, I attempted to reach a supervisor at Allegheny Health Network. Calls were made on 7/8/15 when a rep named Jeanette informed me that a supervisor was not available; on 7/24/15 when I left a voicemail for a supervisor and never received a return phone call; on 8/18/15 a rep named Anna M[redacted] told me there was no supervisor available; and on 8/19/15 when a rep named Elizabeth told me that again there was no supervisor available. I gave her my name & number & informed her I would be contacting the Revdex.com, at which point she hung up on me. The following day 8/20/15, I called again, and a rep named Stacey was miraculously able to locate a supervisor by the name of Leon.

He told me that although they do accept [redacted], they do not accept MY specific plan and there was nothing that could be done. I told him I know for a fact, as a Medical Billing Manager, that if the company is in-network with [redacted] they have the choice to accept whichever [redacted] plans they wish to, and told him this was done by requesting a Plan Add/Drop Form from [redacted]. He said he'd "look into it" and call me back. A few weeks later (I do not know the exact date), I got a voicemail saying that he would be able to reduce my bill by 50%. I left him a voicemail on September 16, 2015 stating that this was not acceptable, as 3 different people had told me on 4 separate occasions that I would have NO payment due by me for services done, and that you cannot tell a person that and then send them a bill. I did not receive a response from Leon (he was probably out of the office), but I did receive a notice from a collections agency about a week later. I am furious about the way I was misled into believing that my insurance had been CORRECTLY verified, lied to, and then put off and ignored.Desired Settlement: I would like an adjustment to my bill and anything sent to a collection agency removed. I would also like them to stop falsely advertising that they accept all [redacted] & [redacted] plans when they clearly do not. The office manager at the physician's office informed me that I am not the only patient this has happened to, so it needs to be clear, especially to more vulnerable patients, that this is unfair. I would also like to note that the Doctor and all of his staff were wonderful, and it was never my intention for them to not be paid for their services. However, AHN DOES have the option of accepting my insurance, and AHN did incorrectly verify my insurance, so AHN should figure out a way to get them paid.

Review: I broke my finger/knuckle in an unfortunate sports accident. I sought care from Orthopedic Associates of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Clinic. I went to the office at least 3 or 4 times and was always required to pay my copay upfront, at the receptionist window prior to seeing the dr. Now 5 months later I receive letters from a collection agency - Collection Service Center - for copays I previously paid. I researched my online bank statements and credit cards statements and can prove that this balance was paid in full even before the service was rendered. Funny how a healthcare company can DOUBLE BILL you and try to collect for something you already paid for. Billing records should be accurate and they should be required to mark your payment down as soon as its made. What if I paid these bills instead of looking into it further? This seems like pure negligence at best, criminal for double billing patients at worst. I have called to speak with a customer service rep, but after 20 minutes on hold, I had to leave a message. This better be corrected and better not have negatively impacted my credit.Desired Settlement: This business has a responsibility to keep accurate records, to not double bill for charges already paid in full, for not sending patients to collections for balances they have already paid and for causing me to take hours out of my time to find the statements, call and go to all the hassle of PROVING THAT THESE BILLS ARE ALREADY PAID.

I am not satisfied with the management of Allegheny Health Network. My reasons are as follows:

1) Allegheny Health Network have rarely responded to my complaints. Sometimes, I will have to contact them for several months until I hear anything back from them.

2) Allegheny Health Network has too much bureaucracy.

3) Allegheny Health Network staff appear to be indifferent, condescending, and slow to resolve patient/consumer complaints. I have been passed to several people who appear to keep passing the buck, and it is rare to have a resolution with them.

4) I have wasted a lot of my travel expense, attorney time, postage, and telephone calls and it got me nowhere.

5) Allegheny Health Network seem to always stick up for their affiliated hospitals even when the evidence I bring in my favor is presented to them.

Review: I have setup a payment plan with St. Vincent Health Center to pay my medical bill. I was sending in a payment every month upon receipt of a bill. One month I did not receive a bill but received a phone call from St. Vincent Health Center asking why they haven't received a payment. I told them that I haven't received a bill from them. Representative told me that they recently changed their billing system and she would get the bill out to me. About a week later, I received a bill in response to which I mailed a payment and continued to do so for the additional 2 months. About 2 weeks ago I received a collection notice stating that St. Vincent Health Center has not been paid and my account was turned over to collection. Upon contacting St. Vincent, I was informed that my account was turned over to collection because I did not send one payment in May when they changed their billing system and did not send me a bill! Now, once again, I haven't received a bill from them and upon calling them they told me that I have to deal with collection agency now. If they turned me over to collection for missing a payment in May, why they continued to bill me and receive/cash a check from me for the next 3 months.Desired Settlement: I want St. Vincent to recall the collection from collection agency and reinstate my account to good standing and I will continue to make payments to them. I want them to remove collection information from my credit report which I have worked extremely hard to rebuild over the last 3 years.

Business

Response:

RE: ID # [redacted]

Dear Revdex.com Representative:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the concern expressed by our Patient. It was reported that the Patient’s account had been sent to our collection agency because of one missed payment in May, 2013. The patient had been making regular payments of $25.00 each month as agreed, and had missed only one payment in May, because Saint Vincent had not sent a bill that month. The patient contacted the collection agency directly and was advised that the account would be reported to the credit bureaus if not paid in full within ninety days. The Patient believed the transfer of the account to the collection agency was unfair and requested the account be pulled back and reinstated in good standing. The patient communicated intent to continue making a $25.00 monthly payment as agreed.

Our Billing Specialist promptly reviewed the reported concern and the Patient’s account. It was noted that the patient had made regular monthly payments of $25 with the exception of May, 2013. It was also noted that the Patient had been called about the delayed May billing. We regretted to learn that there was a misunderstanding regarding the expectation of the May payment. We responded to our Patient directly through a personal letter, in addition to this Revdex.com response. Our Billing Specialist authorized that the Patient’s account be pulled back from our credit agency and that it be reinstated in good standing. The importance of a payment being received each month was emphasized to prevent re-transfer to the collection agency in the future. The Patient was advised to contact our Billing Department personally to discuss any payment hardship that may be experienced. Our Billing Department will work with the Patient in good faith to help assure the account remains in good standing. Again, our Billing Specialist regretted to learn of the frustration experienced and was most pleased to offer assistance.

Thank you again for the opportunity to review and resolve this important matter.

Sincerely,

SAINT VINCENT HEALTH CENTER

[redacted], Director Patient Relations

Review: My account is paid up and they have turned me over to collections. I am receiving threatening letters from a collection agency now. I have called them and sent emails to two agents with screen shots of payments made. I got a letter saying I owe $2,425.00 from Allegheny Clinic now and I have reviewed my payments for a third time. Please request an audit for [redacted], Jr because I do not know what else to do. They and damaging my credit at this point. Thank youDesired Settlement: Audit payments made from [redacted], Jr because they have cashed my online bank checks sent to them and then turned me over to a collection agency damaging my credit. Please tell someone there to do their job and stop what damage they have caused to me please. [redacted], Jr

Review: I went to the emergency room on 9/27/2013 at Allegheny General hospital because I could not walk,I was there for two hours was seen by a doctor for ten minutes he gave me pain pills and sent me home. I called the hospital in November because I received A bill, the lady told me to throw it away that it was paid and that I owed nothing. Then on 6/4/2014 I received a bill eight months later for 79 Dollars. I think that they waited to long to send me this bill and that I should not have to pay it. and I think the charges are outrageous, I was seen for ten minutes and the bill was 714.00, and I had back surgery at [redacted]s the bill was 31000.00 and my co-pay was 6.00.Desired Settlement: I think I should not have to pay the 79.00.

Business

Response:

July 15, 2014

Review: In 12/2013 and also in 5/2014 I had two brain surgies. Even though I had insurance coverage through my husbands work, because of deductibles The medical bills that I am responsible for total over $20,000.00. I have been making monthly payments to all the various hosiptals and doctors that in the amounts that I can afford. Most of these hostipals and doctors have cooperated and excepted the payments that I have sent the. Allegheny Radiology after accepting these monthly payments from previous months turned my account over to a collection agency([redacted].). On Janurary 31, 2015 I received a statement from this collection angency in the amount of $466.00. I sent in a payment of $20.00, which is what I can afford to pay at this time. After a couple of weeks I received in the mail the check back from this collection angency and they wrote "void" on the check. I didn't understand this so I called the collection to get an explanation of why the check was sent back to me. A very rude person answered the phone and in a very rude voice told me that the client (Allegheny Radiology Assoc.)rejected the payment because the $20.00 I sent them was not enough. I explined to her that I was trying to pay all of my medical bills and that the $20.00 was all I could afford to pay. This person very rudely told me that it wasn't her problem and reminded me of the total that I owed. I can't afford to pay anymore than I offered. I am now worried that I will be charged interest on this balance. If I can't afford to pay more than I am, how can I incur any interest charges. I think it is very unprofessional the way this women on the phone talked to me and offered me no help or solutions. When I asked her for her name she would not give it to me. My question to you is, can this collection company refuse my payment and how do they expect me to pay more than I have. I have other bills to pay and my money is very tightly budgeted. Please help. Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would like for the collection agency to accept what I can afford to pay and work with me on this matter. I would also feel that I should not be responsible for any future interest charges. My opinion is that this is what the collection agencies goal is, for me to eventually have to pay interest.