[shrink]

I am writing this post to warn others of fraud and abuse which apparently is rampant in Florida. Medicare has established a separate fraud department specifically to investigate Florida claims! Specifically, I saw a cardiologist after my husband was referred to one. It was recommended to me by that cardiologist that I have an initial workup because of my family history and a past hx of smoking. I was asymptomatic, but told that heart disease presents differently in women. Better safe than sorry, right? I was immediately referred for a nuclear stress test (never offered the option of a cardio treadmill stress test). That test cost in excess of $2400., whereas the treadmill test would have been $174.00. Hmmm...never mind, as Medicare and my private insurance were also charged for the treadmill test (which I never had). As a result of the "equivocal" findings on the stress test, it was recommended that I start on Digoxin and also have an invasive angiogram (thousands more) to see what's going on. In the meantime, I was given several other tests, including sonograms, leg studies, etc. which I have since discovered EVERYONE who sees this doctor is given. I decided to seek a second opinion from a reputable cardiologist out of state. That doctor (and I) requested records be sent a total of FIVE times. No records were sent until I called the cardiologist down here and threatened legal action. I now understand why those records weren't sent as requested. It was because there is NOTHING WRONG with my heart, as per my second opinion! By the way, my husband was given all the same tests AND underwent the angiogram...and there was nothing wrong with him, either). My reason for writing this post is to make all Villagers aware of what can go on here. Be sure to carefully check all of your medicare/private insurance statements to see what you've been billed for. Do NOT engage in a ton of tests without getting a second opinion for someone highly reputable. Just because you may not have to pay for those tests directly, we all pay indirectly. Although I'm sure that some of the physicians here are honest, are not referring to establishments where they have financial interests for unnecessary tests or to specialists with whom there is some kind of reciprocity, many are. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION.

[Shimpy]

Your caution to be wary of local cardiologist won't help unless you give us a name.

[Lbmb24101]

Yes, who is this dr??

[wendyquat]

You'd be helping us with a name. Please pm me with a name as my husband has recently been put through all these tests and has another appt next week to discuss possible surgery. He has no symptoms! Thanks

[tpop1]

[QUOTE=shrink;561015], I saw a cardiologist after my husband was referred to one. QUOTE]

Without a name, you make us wary of all in the area. That's not fair to the good ones and confusing to those of us who may need to see a cardiologist!

Please share your knowledge. Thanks

[asianthree]

not that i am saying right or wrong but can you run tread for the lengh of time to get your heart rate up ....

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by asianthree

not that i am saying right or wrong but can you run tread for the lengh of time to get your heart rate up ....

Sure can as I did it with my first stress test. They incline it and speed it up a bit at a time. Took me only a few minutes to get my heart to 135 bpm.

[NotGolfer]

Soooo how do we steer clear of this person?? Don't know their name or where their clinic is located. It's only by word of mouth we can do anything about this collectively.

[Floridagal]

After posting all that, I believe the doctor's name should be told. What is the point of the post if it has no name,

[shrink]

I am reluctant to post a specific name on a public forum. I simply advise that if it seems like too many tests are being run, if you are being told you need a nuclear stress test if in fact you are capable of doing a treadmill test, if the office seems to run like an assembly line, if you overhear one patient after another being scheduled for angiograms, if you get bills which do not reflect what was actually done, etc., steer clear.

[casita37]

Wasn't someone sued recently for posting a bad review about a doctor? I believe it was settled out of court, including an apology from the doctor, but still.....be careful what you say.

The post was not on TOTV, as far as I know, but was in our area, I think.

[shrink]

Please do not press me for a name. I want to help others, but do not want to be sued. Just exercise good judgment and common sense, look for the modus operandi I have reported, and rely heavily on word of mouth from others who have had positive experiences. Also, there is a website called vitals.com. You can go there and type in the name of a doctor and read the comments others have made.

[shrink]

Yes, thank you for understanding.

[ilovetv]

Regarding "I saw a cardiologist after my husband was referred to one. It was recommended to me by that cardiologist that I have an initial workup because of my family history and a past hx of smoking. I was asymptomatic,......"

Why get a heart specialist consult just because your spouse did?

And, where is your primary care doctor's referral in all this?

[shrink]

I sat in with my husband during his exam. The conversation somehow turned to me. And the cardiologist never asked me for a referral from my primary. Just scared me and scheduled me. Then scheduled me some more. Then some more. Then some more. I believe I underwent seven different expensive tests. My primary care doc out of state (whom I trust completely) was shocked when I told him what was done. His comment was, "No wonder insurance costs are so high".