Central PA Intergrative Medicine

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved] Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because: On May 3, 2013, I was presented a form to sign titled, "OUR FINANCIAL POLICY" On this particular form, under MISSED APPOINTMENTS, it states, " IV therapy patients are required to cancel hours prior to your scheduled appointment." First, it is IMPOSSIBLE to cancel hours in advanceI was not sick hours prior to my appointment Second, I was asked to sign such forms on 5/3/13, at which time I was suffering debilitating symptoms, as well as unrelenting head pain and brain fogIn fact, the pain was so severe that I was taking Rx [redacted] 10-500- three times a dayDr [redacted] 's records will show I was crying as I was in a state of pain and confusionIn fact, that day, Dr [redacted] told my husband, ***, "your wife is going through hell"! I was not lucid enough to sign ANY legal documentThis fact should have been evident to Dr [redacted] 's staff, as I'm sure it was As for [redacted] 's comment, I had ample time to ask questionsThat day, after an assistant took my BP, temp and reviewed my medsI was taken directly to the room where IV's are administered I was then handed an electronic form to signAfter signing, I was IMMEDIATELY GIVEN the IV In [redacted] s response, she also stated I had the right to refuse to sign that day This raises yet another IMPORTANT QUESTION- WHAT IF I HAD REFUSED TO SIGN? I was told by [redacted] (on 12/19/day of my appointment) that I would be charged for the IV because it was already mixed and would need to be destroyed Again, I ask what if I had refused to sign for the IV that day - the IV was already MIXED- therefore, it would have needed to be destroyed- and would I have been charged for that IV? As for the statement that indicated ALL FACTS CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE FORMS HAD BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED IS A LIE! NO ONE took the time to explain anything Last, I was in no state of mind to thoroughly read and sign any consent forms, nor should I have been asked to do so when my thought process was impaired In conclusion, for all the reasons above, I should NOT be charged for a service (I.V.) that I did NOT Receive Thank you, [redacted] I , [redacted] * [redacted] , is giving permission to Dr [redacted] , DO to share my medical records/information with the Revdex.com

March 10,
Dear Ms***:
This correspondence is in regard to ID ***, During our discussion I explained to you our concern regarding the individual's HIPAA rightsThe individual filing the complaint has complied with our request to release medical records, however, in your most recent letter, dated March 4,2014, you indicated the information could be publicly posted to your websiteAdditionally, our HTPPA compliant form was not completed in fully by the patientIt did not contain specifically what information is to be released, an initial prior to signature, and lacks a witness to the patient's signatureRegardless of her rights to waive privacy, we do not feel comfortable providing documentation with tbe patient’s name on them that could potentially appear for public viewingHer progress reports and all demographic information should not be postedPlease confirm any health or demographic information if faxed to you will not appear on any public viewing websitewill forward all necessary documentation upon the completion of the HIPAA form
I will attempt to address each concern as it appears in the complaint dated Monday, February 24,
The individual filing the complaint against us is a legal adult, aged years of ageI would respectfully request careful note of particular dates throughout the document,
1. I previously included a copy of the office financial policy that all patients sign before an office appointment is scheduled with Dr***, The financial policy is included in a New Patient paperwork packet we fax or send to every potential new patient seeking an appointment with Dr***This is important to note because some patients seek traditional carc, while others desire to see Dr*** for alternative therapy, I did review the individual’s New Patient packet at great lengthThis packet must be returned to us to receive an appointment, That is the very step for an individual seeking to make an initial appointment with Dr ***
2. In this particular case, regarding the patient filing the complaint, she was seeking alternative therapy for a specific diagnosisThe individual filing the complaint received a New Patient paperwork packed prior to receiving an appointment with Dr***, This individual filing the complaint faxed the completed packet to us on 5/3/In addition, we perform a yearly review of the financial policy, and frequently have established patients update it if any policy changesIn this particular case the individual filing the complaint received a financial policy in her New Patient paperwork packet which did state a cancellation notice of

February 19,
Dear ***:
Thank you for speaking with me today regarding ID ***During our discussion I explained to you our concern regarding the individual's HIPAA rightsIt is quite essential for the individual to provide a HIPAA release so we can
fully respond to the issues she highlighted in her complaint to the Revdex.comI respectfully request the individual provide a signed and legal document allowing her HIPAA rights be waived to further analyze and document the erroneous nature of her complaint documented in a letter dated February 18,
Additionally, please note, I have discussed, at great length, the nature of this complaint with the Pennsylvania Medical Society on January 6, after receiving a phone call from the individual's mother threatening to seek further action against Dr***’s medical practice, and again this morning following the receipt of your letterAt this time after collaboration with the PA Medical Society we are quite prepared to seek further collection action through a district magistrate based upon documentation within our office, and the disputed nature of the debt
I am including a copy of the office financial policy that all patients sign before an office appointment is scheduled with Dr***The financial policy is included in a New Patient paperwork packet we fax or send to each potential new patientIn addition, we regularly review the financial policy and yearly have established patients update it if any policy changes, I am also including copies of two consent forms that we provide to all potential intravenous therapy patients to sign before electing to do intravenous therapy here at Central PA Integrative MedicineThe specific type of intravenous therapy is determined by the diagnosis. In this particular case, I am including copies of what the individual would have been provided based on diagnosis and suggested treatment protocol without signatures due to HIPAA policiesAn individual is given ample time, as much time as needed, to review the consent forms following the doctor's office visit and only after agreeing to the terms of the consent forms are the forms electronically signed and witnessed then placed within the patient’s electronic chartAn individual must see Dr*** prior to receiving and previewing the consent formsThe intravenous therapy consent forms are not provided to individuals in a New Patient packet prior to an initial office appointmentIt is always the individual’s choice to elect alternative therapy following an extended office visit with Dr***
Dr*** ***, D.Oserves as a sole owner and medical director doing business as Central PA Integrative MedicineHe provides both traditional forms of treatment that fall into the Standard of Care within the medical community and insurance industryHowever, he elects to offer many alternative or complimentary type treatments to his patientsThis is an area of expertise, experience and a real passion for Dr***When a patient elects to see Dr*** for alternative treatment for a specific diagnosis and/or disease, they seek and accept the terms and conditions related to that type of non-traditional treatmentFor example, intravenous therapy requires a preparation time, tools used within the preparations process, special nutraceuticals ordered and/or pharmaceutically compounded natural ingredients, and medical equipment to dispense the therapyThese items can be of great cost to a medical practice, as well as the effect of costs on good and faithful patients due to the overhead relative to a lossTherefore, if an individual elects to pursue any type of alternative treatment protocol, s/he is assuming full responsibility, including financial, for the contract between Dr*** and the individualThe consent form(s) and financial policies serve as a document that further state the contract between the individual patient seeking Dr***'s method of alternative treatment and protocolsThis information is made very clear in the documents provided to patients electing alternative therapyTheir negligence to the signed consents and contract should not create a financial loss to the practice, and cause prices to rise due to loss in revenue and less operating costs for the medical practice
Sincerely,

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC <[email protected]>Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 9:54 AMSubject: Fwd: **. [redacted] - Complaint# [redacted]To: [redacted] <[redacted]>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <[redacted]>
Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Subject: **. [redacted] - Complaint# [redacted]
To: [email protected]
Dear. **. [redacted],
 
 I have emailed copies to you, of the three forms I had signed while a patient of Dr. [redacted], DO.
 
After numerous failed attempts to complete the form that request my signature,  I will Fax the signed copy to you today, 3/3/2014.
 
Thank you,
[redacted]

Signed form

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: On May 3, 2013, I was presented a form to sign titled,  "OUR FINANCIAL POLICY".   On this particular form, under MISSED APPOINTMENTS, it states, " IV therapy patients are required to cancel 36 hours prior to your scheduled appointment."  First, it is IMPOSSIBLE to cancel 36 hours in advance. I was not sick 36 hours prior to my appointment.
 Second, I was asked to sign such forms on 5/3/13, at which time I  was suffering debilitating symptoms, as well as unrelenting head pain and brain fog. In fact, the pain was so severe that I was taking Rx [redacted] 10-500- three times a day. Dr. [redacted]'s records will show I was crying as I was in a  state of pain and confusion. In fact, that day,  Dr. [redacted] told my husband, [redacted], "your wife is going through hell"! I was not lucid enough to sign ANY legal document. This fact should have been evident to Dr. [redacted]'s staff, as I'm sure it was.
As for [redacted]'s comment, I had ample time to ask questions. That day, after an assistant took my BP, temp and reviewed my meds. I was taken directly to the room where IV's are administered.  I was then handed an electronic form to sign. After signing, I was IMMEDIATELY GIVEN the IV.
 In [redacted]s  response,  she also stated I had the right to refuse to sign that day.  This raises yet another IMPORTANT QUESTION- WHAT IF I HAD REFUSED TO SIGN?  I was told by [redacted] (on 12/19/13 day of my appointment) that I would be charged for the IV because it was already mixed and would need to be destroyed. 
 Again, I ask what if I had refused to sign for the IV that day - the IV was already MIXED- therefore, it would have needed to be destroyed- and would I have been charged for that IV?
 As for the statement that indicated ALL FACTS CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE FORMS HAD BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED IS A LIE!  NO ONE took the time to explain anything. 
Last, I was in no state of mind to thoroughly read and sign any consent forms, nor should I have been asked to do so when my thought process was impaired.
 In conclusion, for all the reasons above, I should NOT be charged for a service (I.V.) that I did NOT Receive.
Thank you,
[redacted]
I , [redacted], is giving permission to Dr. [redacted], DO to share my medical records/information with the Revdex.com.