SMH Urgent Care Center at University Parkway — Local services in Sarasota

Attention Sarasota Memorial Representative:

Today, I am left questioning the unethical business practices of Sarasota Memorial. My needs as a patient were simple and my approach was very proactive. This day in age, I ask: Is it not a fair request to know the out-of-pocket expenses for a preventive care mammogram ahead of time?

I knew my insurance situation had changed, so I proactively called the University Parkway facility to learn how much my out-of-pocket expenses would be for a scheduled, upcoming mammogram. I was told that I should expect to pay $175 for the basic mammogram. Upon hearing the cost, I made the decision to keep the appointment. The day of the appointment, I paid $175. The mammogram was carried out.

Had someone told me that the true cost of the services would be revealed to me later (once radiology fees were taken into account) and would total $425, I would have opted to cancel the appointment and seek out a more affordable alternative. I certainly recognize that Sarasota Memorial has every patient sign the blanket disclaimer before the rendering of any services to absolve themselves of these types of scruples, but I am left seriously questioning the business practices of the facility. For a preventive service as common as a mammogram, how are these charges not made crystal clear to a cash-paying patient ahead of time? Especially, when the patient in question is going out of her way to proactively ask the necessary questions to make an informed decision? I am left dumbfounded and disgusted with these practices. I ask myself: How many other patients just like me have been the recipients of this murky communication and lack of transparency, only being left to assume the responsibility of the charges? Surely, I am not alone.

I thought the situation might be remedied with a few phone calls to Sarasota Memorial and to Radiology Associates of Florida (the other facility, I much later learned that I am indebted to). Surely, someone would be able to at least meet me part way? Surely, I was not the only party responsible for a lapse in communication? Sadly, after numerous attempts with both parties involved, I have been told that “nothing can be done” from Sarasota Memorial. Their Patient Advocacy representative did promise, however, to bring it to the attention of someone, so that this dynamic can be improved. Radiology Associates, on the other hand, has offered me a modest discount, so that I would only be paying a little over double what I had initially anticipated for my out-of-pocket costs.

This whole experience has been a big lesson learned for me, but I have yet to get the sense from either Sarasota Memorial or Radiology Associates of Florida that this even registers as a concern. One thing is certain, I will inevitably become a more savvy healthcare consumer as a cash-paying patient with experience. I’ve already learned so much in a short time. I will also make it a point to share my experiences and my knowledge with everyone that it can...

Left yesterday feeling like I just got robbed for $150 I saw Dr B and I didn’t want to but I had to mention something I read online because I have strange hard nodules on my leg and also my lymph node on my throat is swollen and online diagnosed it perfectly so I can’t imagine how annoying it is for a doctor to hear that a patient googled there diagnosis but I had to suggest it especially after she suggested it was a bug bite. I did tell her the first large hard nodule came 5-6 weeks ago then another a week after and another 2 days ago. What are the chances a bug would only bite my left lower shin, there’s no sign of a bite and would a bug bite reaction last 5-6 weeks? So I just wanted her opinion on erythema nodosum which says large tender red nodules appear on the shins triggered by infections elsewhere in the body. A common cause is strep throat. I got home yesterday and noticed I have multiple spots of puss in my throat. She would have seen them if she bothered to look at my throat after I told her my lymph node was swollen instead she said “some people have skinny necks and they just stick out sometimes” REALLY!! I was polite while she said these things and I shouldn’t have been but I felt bad because she got incredibly offended when I said I read something online, as I started to show her my phone she said “ no, please don’t” and put her hand up to block my phone. I didn’t want to offend her further but why should I feel bad? Why is it alright that I keep paying money for bad information. I just paid another doctor 2weeks ago who diagnosed cellulitis I took antibiotics and grew another nodule now Dr B prescribed another antibiotic that won’t help my throat so I have to pay for another doctor to prescribe another antibiotic and to get a correct diagnosis. It would be great if doctors got paid after they did there jobs correctly and only if they did there job correctly. I wouldn’t pay a lawn care company to piss on my lawn. They get paid after the lawn is cut. I would have felt differently about this situation if she took the time to listen and if she didn’t agree just explain why and I would have been happy with that instead of an extremely...

Came in here as my insurance informed me that they are in network. I was charged my co-pay. I confirmed with and was told by the polite staff that they are within Aetnas network. I was then taken back for an X-ray, which went smoothly.

The issue is that one month later, I was provided a bill and told that the provider is not in the network. It appears that I was given to a doctor within this hospital who was out of my network, despite repeated assurances that they are within network.

I do my best to see the bright side, but this is ridiculous. If you're okay with paying regardless of your health insurance status, this is the place to be.

Edit: A gentleman, Todd, reached out to me. Very helpful, very communicative. I was informed that the radiology reads are separate from the urgent care. BEWARE: If you're getting an X-ray and your x-ray is covered, the radiologist reading them may or may not be included in the cost. You may receive a separate bill for the reading of the x-rays they take.

Though I was told that the taking vs reading discrepancy is laid out in the paperwork, being told repeatedly that "$30 is all you should pay, you're in network with great insurance" now becomes misleading. When in pain from a wrist that one believes to be fractured, reading the fine print tends to be less of a priority once verbal confirmation is received.

I understand that medical billing is complex and sympathize for the folks handling it. Despite the complexity, we must be able to put a reasonable level of trust in the individuals that we're speaking with and they must be fed a reasonable amount of information, enough at least to provide us with reliable information. I am disappointed in the Sarasota Health...