Lower Keys Medical Center — Local services in Key West

The care I received at LKMC from the time I checked into the ER in which I was not even seen or checked on for over 5 hours, I ended up vomiting in the parking lot of the ER only to be taken to Advanced Urgent Care and have them call an ambulance to bring me back to the ER (and charge me for this as well) to be told I was going to have to wait again upon which I stated I will go home if this was the case and after now 7 hours was finally sent for tests and told by a very abrupt surgeon that it was appendicitis and I needed to have surgery. Another few hours in the ER and reviewing medications with another doctor, it was at this time I made myself clear (or so I thought) what medications I will be admitted and which ones I won't be given. Upon waking up from surgery, I woke up to find hospital personnel ADMINISTERING one of the medications that I clearly stated I did not want only to be told that it was what the Dr had ordered and they continued to administer the medication anyways. I stated I did not want it and to not give it again, yet, this happened two more times all of which I CLEARLY stated I did not want the said medication and that the third time stopped the hospital personnel from completing the injection and told them I was leaving the hospital and to get my discharge documents ready and that my reason for me leaving was due to the lack of care on behalf of the doctor ordering medication that I clearly stated upon review BEFORE MY SURGERY THAT I DID NOT WANT AND YET WAS GIVEN NOT JUST ONCE BUT 3 TIMES DUE TO BEING TOLD IT WAS MEDICATION THAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED EVEN THOUGH I... THE PATIENT... CONTINUED TO CLEARLY STATE I DID NOT WANT IT AND STATED TO HOSPITAL STAFF TO STOP ADMINISTERING SAID MEDICATION, they did not listen either of the 3 times upon administering said MEDICATION of which the third and final time I had to physically pull my arm away while the staff was giving the medication so the entire dose would not be administered and stated I was leaving the hospital due to not being given the adequate care and respect a patient deserves after a surgery. Upon telling other locals of this action and care while being treated at Lower Keys Medical Center it has been said that similar events have happened to other patients as well. I have since written out direct orders that should I ever need emergency care to take me to any hospital in the upper Keys or Miami and to never in any way let and medical personnel at Lower Keys Medical Center provide any type of care on any way shape or form. This kind of care is unacceptable and completely irresponsible and reflects a negative light on the only medical institution within 50 miles for locals and tourists on the southernmost point of the United States. I won't even recommend this facility and I will recommend to travel to the Middle and upper Keys or emergency evacuated to Miami if they have any serious...

I recently visited the ER here for a busted lip after I fell. While the staff were friendly and efficient, Lower Keys Medical Center refuses to use codes that can be covered by insurance. My X-rays and admittance were partially covered by insurance, but my 2 stitches were not covered. While this may sound like an insurance issue - it is not. The reason it was not covered is because Lower Keys Medical uses a blanket code/term in their claims filed to insurance. Blanket codes/terms are often not covered by insurance companies because they do not specify what kind of procedure was performed. For me, they filed a "Minor Procedure" code. This was for 2 stitches. When I called and asked about the $900+ charge for 2 stitches, they refused to submit any clarification codes to insurance (that state it was for stitches) and said that they would file a "Minor Procedure" code to insurance for things as small as a BANDAID. For reference, my insurance does cover stitches, but because it was not coded appropriately, they can not cover my "Minor Procedure," AKA my stitches.

Over the phone, they repeatedly stated that they are only 'allowed' to submit "Minor Procedure" and "Major Procedure" codes and can not submit any changes to insurance or add clarification codes. They said that they could not use clarification codes at all and could only delete codes, which would be insurance fraud. For reference, if you've worked with any insurance companies before, you know that adding clarification codes to specify procedures and help with coverage are a very common procedure and do NOT CAUSE INSURANCE FRAUD. If you go to the ER at Lower Keys Medical, expect to pay in full for any procedures preformed, even if they are covered by your insurance company. They will not work with you to clarify any procedures performed for insurance.

For reference, the $900+ for 2 stitches was not my only charge. I was also charged for the numbing (which was almost completely covered by insurance), the x-rays (mostly covered by insurance), and for my ER Admittance (partially covered by insurance). I have no issue with the numbing or x-ray charges. However, you will be charged the same for your ER Admittance whether you are placed in a room or in a random hallway, stationed in front of a heavily used door.

Also, expect a bill from the hospital and a bill from the doctor who performed any procedures. You will be charged double for each procedure preformed. Luckily, my doctor at least used the correct codes - so the procedures on her end were almost entirely covered by my insurance.

In the end, they did give me a discount on my bill, but this "discounted" bill still cost far more than I would have been charged had they filed the appropriate code to insurance. Unless you have a life threatening emergency, you are better off driving...

Update/Rewrite I have had multiple interactions with the imaging department and one with ER. Here is the good and bad: GOOD -After a rough start with imaging (records, missing, few inappropriate comments) my next visits have been efficient and people nice. -ER did the fastest discharge I have ever had. They were attentive. -Imaging have been great about providing copies of my scans on CD (yes those old things still exist) -Wait times have been fine except reception can be very slow. If there was a back-up they were honest and worked with me on how to best handle it.

Bad: Serious oversights during my ER visit. I presented with serious symptoms of a head injury and was referred by the urgent care doctor. While my injuries were take seriously and further diagnosed appropriately they missed a few key things.

I was not seen by a doctor even when skull fractures were discovered.

ER missed a request for a 2nd head image on the results report from my first one. They sent me home without the second scan. I found the recommendation later and the second scan now cost me $300

I was not referred to a follow-up doctor. I needed a neurologist and neurosurgeon.

I do not think they adequately checked that my symptoms were gone before discharge.

First visit for ultrasound there were unaware of why I was there or the potential severity of my visit (cancer recurrence).

The ultrasound techs and doctor were too nonchalant about the breast lump - trying to be reassuring that it was probably nothing. But, anyone who has had cancer is advised to be hyper vigilant of any symptoms. No one in this situation should be given a reason to dismiss the danger.

It is always very cold in the area....