Dr. Michael J. Gallerkin, MD

Review: [redacted], M.D. has sent me to collections, Bridgeport Financial Inc., for what he claims was a failure on my part to cancel an initial visit on 7-6-12 in accordance with his policy of 48 hours notice of any failure to appear at the recorded appointment time. I am a patient on Medicare and at the time I contacted [redacted]'s office, May 4, 2012, he was listed on the Medicare approved physician's list, hence my call to his office. His receptionist, I believe her name was [redacted] told me he no longer accepted Medicare patients. This along with his affiliation with my previous doctor, who lost his license to prescribe any medications due to a DEA audit, made me leery to make an appointment. [redacted] encouraged me to make an appointment for an initial visit with [redacted] that would last one hour (be there 20 minutes early to go over the initial patient paperwork that she sent me) and I would be required to pay $250 for the appointment. [redacted] assured me that I could call and cancel up to 48 hours before the appointment and not be charged. This call lasted nine minutes as [redacted] input my data. Because of my medical condition and my reservations, I called [redacted]'s office on May 22, 2012, spoke with [redacted] for three minutes and cancelled the July 6, 2012 appointment. Please refer to the copies of my cellular telephone bill dated April 25 - May 24, 2012, which has the phone calls highlighted. In mid to late 2013 I began to receive bills from [redacted]'s office for an initial appointment, no date indicated, in the amount of $250 plus interest. I called the office at least three times during business hours and was "greeted" by an answering machine each time. I explained the situation BUT never received a phone call back. It was my assumption this was in regards to an appointment made for July 17, which I also cancelled prior to his 48 hour cut-off policy. When I spoke to the rep. collection rep, letter sent November 4, 2013, he told me 7-6-2012 date. My credit history is damaged.Desired Settlement: I want written statements from Gallerkin(G) and Bridgeport Fin. Inc. that this is NOT an unpaid bill on my part but an agregious act by (G), to which I made many attempts to rectify with (G)'s office with never a response. I want copies of the letters sent to the credit reporting agencies taking this off my credit! This has taken much of my time in research and communication. Certainly this caused me more anxiety. Phone bills provided to (G) and BFI.Thank you for trying to help me with this.

Business

Response:

In an attempt to comply to HIPA rules we have left out all medical and Mental health information disclosed to our office by Mrs. [redacted] at the time of phone intake.