What happened To East Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists? I have been a patient there for over a year and my dad for at least 6. The office used to run like a well oiled machine until about 3 months ago when they were taken over by ORTHO ARIZONA / MEZONA ORTHOPEDIC. Since that time the front office staff has changed over to an uncaring simian conclave that looks busy working but has no idea how to contribute to the good of the patients that once frequented there. The reason I use the term "ONCE FREQUENTED" is because after encountering the office staff a few times now, a patient will get so discouraged after trying to maneuver the bureaucratic obstacle course they will probably leave the practice out of frustration. I am still a patient there but soon to move on. My Doctor is Phillip Richardson, a gem of a guy and a great Doctor. I hate to leave but it is just getting so difficult to make your way around after you see him and then you fall into the dark hole after leaving his exam room.
Case in point. I had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Richardson. Two days prior to my appointment I was called by someone in his office telling me I was no longer his patient. I asked how that could be and she told me due to insurance changes he could no longer be my Doctor. I told her my insurance did not change. She just told me that is THE WAY IT IS, and scheduled me with Dr. Freed, who by the way is also a great doctor. I am a person who does not take the two letters "NO" lightly. I called BC/BS of AZ to get to the bottom of this clerical fiasco. I was told by BC/BS that what I was told was untrue, and Doctor Richardson was still contracted as my Doctor until the end of the year. I called the office back and insisted that I get my old appointment back. They said "NO". I asked to talk to the Doctor. They said "NO" but they would have him call me back. Well as you have probably guessed I heard nothing. My father was going in to see Dr. Richardson the next day and he related my frustration to Dr. Richardson. Dr. Richardson assured my dad he would get back to me. The next Day Dr. Richardson called me back and he told me he was still my Doctor and nothing had changed with his status, so we rescheduled my appointment with him for November 28, 2016. After my appointment with the Dr. Richardson on 10/28 we agreed that I would return to Physical therapy for a few more sessions. We all agreed I would return to Ideal Physical Therapy in Tempe and arrangements would be made by his office. As of today December 13th I had heard nothing so I called the office of ORTHO ARIZONA / MEZONA ORTHOPEDIC in Mesa, AZ. Nichole another member of ORTHO ARIZONA'S crack team of Office Ingrates had me on the phone for 15 minutes telling me she was looking at my chart and could not find who my Physical Therapists were but Ortho Arizona had made an appointment for my PT in MESA just off HIGLEY. Explain to me why if I was happy with my physical therapists 3 miles from my home, why would I want to drive 16 miles from my home to go to PT? Who is driving this clown car called ORTHO ARIZONA / MEZONA ORTHOPEDIC?
I am frustrated to death. ORTHO ARIZONA / MEZONA ORTHOPEDIC has started pulling the wings off this beautiful butterfly and they are just leaving the carcass there to spasm, twitch and die. I especially feel badly for the Doctors because this office staff and ORTHO ARIZONA / MEZONA ORTHOPEDIC is killing their practice. It begs the question? Who is in Charge?
I call then as I see them! I have downgraded this office from a 5 to a 2.
Jeff
PS As of 12/18 I have not had a call back.