Banner Health Clinic | Apache Junction, AZ | Idaho Rd. — Attraction in Apache Junction

I brought my children for their well child visits in August of this year. Standard checkups with measurements of height, weight, vision, and hearing. Immunizations for my 11 year old.

I received EoB from my insurance carrier in October. Preventative care is 100% covered after copay. EoB indicated that I owe the provider $316.02 for “Obesity Treatment” for one of the kids. I was surprised as no treatment out of what I have described took place. The only discussion concerning the weight of my children was an unsolicited comment from Dr. Manu Bakhoo about the fact that my oldest had gained a fair amount of weight since her last checkup. He asked if we had a family history of thyroid issues as that can lead to excessive weight gain. I answered in the negative and that was the end of the discussion.

I called Banner Financial Services and spoke to an operator who reviewed the doctor’s notes with me. She indicated that the notes explained that the doctor ordered labs, did an “assessment” and discussed caloric intake and nutrition with “mom” during the visit. I have a few problems with this.

No discussion around nutrition took place. If labs were in fact ordered, they were never provided to me. The supposed performance of an assessment was not communicated to me, nor were any conclusions that were drawn from it. I was the one at the appointment. A father who is 6’4” tall and 270 lbs with a beard. I find it unlikely that I could be mistaken for their mother. A direct quote from Banner’s website concerning well-child visits: “Here are some key areas they focus on: Physical Exam - Measure their vitals (like blood pressure, height, and weight) to make sure they’re on track for proper growth and development…Nutrition & Exercise - Provide tips on age appropriate nutrition and physical activity to help build healthy habits…Prevent Illness and Injury - Well-Child visits are a chance to talk about immunizations and vaccinations and make sure your child is up to date. They also allow your provider to talk to you about nutrition, general safety concerns and your child’s overall well-being…”

The doctor’s notes which are evidently viewed as infallible contain glaring inaccuracies. Also, wouldn’t a question about family medical history and discussion of vitals be included in a child’s overall well-being?

The operator told me there was nothing that she could do on her end to remedy the situation and that I would have to contact the office directly and speak to the Practice Manager. I attempted to do that yesterday. The phone number listed online for this office is a call center/answering service. All they could do was take a message and forward it to the office on my behalf. A woman called me today and left a voicemail referring me BACK to the billing office. I spoke to another woman who reiterated the fact that there was nothing that she could do to help. I asked for an address that I could mail my written intent to dispute the bill for services not rendered. She told me that she would forward the issue to “disputes” within the organization and I should hear from them within 48 business hours.

Based on the runaround that I have gotten thus far, my hopes aren’t high that this will be resolved to my satisfaction.

Please check your explanation of benefits and ask for itemized bills from this provider. The same thing could very likely be happening to you and/or your insurance carrier. Had the fictitious “treatment” been covered by insurance, I may have never noticed.

Update: Banner responded to my review the same day it was posted instructing me to complete and submit the secure form and someone from the billing department would reach out to me. Submitted requested form the same day. As previously mentioned, my issue was also submitted to “disputes” within the Banner organization, and I was told that someone would be reaching out within 48 hours. Two weeks have passed and no contact has been made, aside from the same bill arriving in my mailbox today. Two stars to one. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau...

Edit: 7/16/24 - I was told I would get the referral before 3 p.m. Got a call at 2:53... Cutting it closed... But FINALLY have the referral! Called the other office that I had been waiting on the referral for. They said insurance has to approve it. (no biggie!) 7/22 - Call the insurance to see what the hold is on it, since we need to start asap... They state that Quintana wrote it as a standard 14 day referral versus expediting it since she had "forgot" about it for the past 3 weeks. So I am STILL NO WHERE. and will have to call AGAIN to fight for this referral to be done properly. Truly, the ethics at this office is disgusting.

Not a good experience... and I have been trying for years. I saw them as a child, and was always very uncomfortable with Dr. Bhakoo as a pre-teen. Fast forward years later and I have my own kids, I had my daughter seen here as a primary and the visits were always quick and rushed with Bhakoo. 2024, I tried again... what a mistake! I started having my son seen here for primary doctor by Dr. Quintana, since we weren't a fan of Bhakoo. had an appointment for 6/28/24 where my 3 month old son was told he has torticollis and needed physical therapy so his head won't be misshaped. Was told I would get a call the following week for the referral. Nothing... Figured okay, the week of 7/1 had a holiday. Give the benefit of the doubt. But then again nothing on the week of 7/8... 2 weeks later.. I should have the referral by now.. Fast forward to 7/15/24, I call and the call center made it seem like they didn't see a referral note on his profile and was told I would get a call same-day. Still nothing..... Callback today (7/16/24) to follow up. This person then tells me a referral was NEVER submitted until I had called in on 7/15. Very poor follow through, don't ever callback, now my sons head is even more slightly misshaped and I'm sure will have to transition into a helmet, when this could've been avoided 3 weeks ago, if the office staff just DID their job.. Will definitely be searching for a new pediatrician. Tried to give Quintana the benefit of the doubt and try the office again, but that was a HUGE mistake. If you want real care for your kids, avoid this place. Everyone is rushed and rude, and don't know how to...

Worst experience I've ever had with a pediatric office. Daughter went in with flank pain and on off again fever. They refused to listen and tried selling us in getting a covid and flu swab, and also on an acne medication. During these conversations they also asked an EMTALA violation at least in a hospital setting by asking me if we had private or Medicare for said came medication that we already said we were not there for. Dr then proceeded to do an examination on her abdomen when we had already expressed multiple times it is flank pain. He asks her does this hurt does that hurt and she says no. He looks at us and says well I'm not sure what you want me to do because her examination is clear. I then get up and say well I want you to examine what I have already told you multiple times and pointed physically as she is laying there for her flank and again said it's her flank that she is having pain. He then says oh okay welll do you want me to do you want me to do a UTI screening. Exhausted I said yes that's exactly what I want. After the test he then comes in and says well won't you look at that, sometimes a mother intuition is right. Noooooo I deal with this all the time in the emergency room as an ED nurse all the time. All I wanted was for you to do your job as a family health physician. I have immediate pulled my child from this place and have found another doctor. I would suggest to never step a foot in this office for anyone who has the ability to go to any other...