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| - It started out great. I personally think Dr. Dzung is above and beyond one of the best pain management doctors in the area. The problem is they are a money-hungry clinic. I am a female veteran in pain. Dr. Dzung has treated me twice under VA authorization. When it came time for the third treatment, the VA called Innovative Pain Care Center to make an appointment (keep in mind that the VA called, not me) for me. The clinic made the appointment for 2 weeks out. When I arrived for my appointment, I met with the nurse practitioner who said to make appointments for the same pain procedures I had previously had. When I met with the scheduler, she told me I could not be treated there unless I paid the $6K that the government owed on my behalf. When I reminded her that they had prior authorization, she said it didn't matter. I wasted a whole day calling their billing department, several departments within the VA and my congressman. When I finally got ahold of the billing department, they called the clinic to let them know they were working the problem with the VA and that it wasn't my fault. The clinic said that they spoke with the doctor and that the doctor refuses to see me until the bill is paid. It is my belief that the head of the clinic said that and not Dr. Dzung but, I don't know for sure. So, the bottom line is this: if they knew there was an outstanding balance and that they wanted it paid, why didn't they talk to the VA when the VA called to make the appointment. Why did they make me wait two weeks, in pain, and then turn me away for something the government is doing. Why hasn't their office followed up on the outstanding bills via the authorization letters? I should have read the reviews of the poor office practices before I told the VA that I wanted to go there. If you are rich and can afford to pay your outstanding balance before your insurance does then this might be the clinic for you. But, I'm a vet. I'm not that rich.
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