Elder Options

Review: I contacted Elder Options and spoke to [redacted] in June 2013 in preparation for a trip to California from Texas to evaluate my Mother's current medical and nursing home care after a series of falls. I specifically asked Elder Options/Mrs. [redacted] to provide two services: 1) Prior to my arrival evaluate and research the other nursing home facilities and other doctors who would be on her insurance in the Yuba City area and 2) upon my arrival, provide an assessment of her current functioning for the family and a report to provide to my mother's long term care insurance provider. I had a limited amount of time to address these care issues while in California and it was important that as much work be done prior to my arrival as possible so that I could take action while I was there. Detailed clinical information and insurance information were provided to Elder/Options prior to my arrival. The amount due for these services [as stated in the Schedule of Fees and Services] was to be $ 625 plus travel time from Placerville to Yuba City, estimated by Mrs. [redacted] to be approximately $ 200 [$ .71 x 170 miles round trip = $ 120]. The assessment was scheduled for July 24, 2013. When I arrived, It was clear that minimal research had been conducted. The information provided by Ms. [redacted] regarding physicians was not useful - they either were not accepting new patients or were not on my mother's insurance. None of the other facilities had been evaluated. Ms. [redacted] stated on July 24th that there would be an additional charge for researching and visiting other facilities. I told her that was not the agreement I had made with Mrs. [redacted] and I would only pay the agreed upon fee of $ 625 plus travel time. Ms. [redacted] continued with the assessement under those terms. Mrs. [redacted] has stated in a letter that I insisted that Diane stay and perform these tasks. This is not true. She was free to leave at any time if the fees were not acceptable to her. The way the assessment was conducted by Diane [redacted] was problematic and upsetting to both my mother and the family who were present. Ms. [redacted] did walk through the facility next door with us after the assessment of my mother's functioning and provided some good feedback. I did pay the $ 625 at the time of the assessment. She also went to another facility that day and called us to tell us her thoughts. The report, received on August 19th, had several errors which made the report unusable for the purpose it was requested - to give to her Long Term Care Insurance company. Along with the report, I received a bill for an additional $ 741 dollars. Multiple attempts to contact Mrs. [redacted] by phone and email were ignored and what correspondence there was via USPS mail did not prove to be effective in resolving this issue. In September 2013 , I wrote a letter and as a good faith effort to resolve the situation, I enclosed a check for $ 300 to cover mileage and the extra time Ms. [redacted] spent looking at facilities and stated on the check that acceptance of that $ 300 check was Elder Options acceptance of payment in full. Since September 2013, there has been no correspondence from Elder Options. I have now received a letter from her attorney, [redacted], **, threatening legal action if I do not pay another $ 492.92. I can provide over 50 pages of documentation regarding the claims made in this complaint.Desired Settlement: I would like the $ 925 already paid to be considered paid in full and the matter closed.