ComplaintsforSteward Medical Group of Arizona

• Initial Complaint

  07/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I had an appointment with Steward Medical Group on September 1st, 2023. The secretary told me that the original doctor I wanted to see was no longer there and recommended that I see a different doctor who was covered under my insurance. I agreed. Two weeks later, Steward Medical Group sends me a bill for $180.27 due to the doctor being 'out-of-network'. I called Steward Medical Group and they reassured me that the doctor is not out-of-network with my insurance, but that SMG's *********** department was having a paperwork issue with Cigna. I called my insurance company and they claimed the doctor's *********** with them had lapsed; meanwhile, Steward Medical Group claims that it was not lapsed and the *********** team was handling it.They told me I did not have to pay the $180.27 so I did not, until I started receiving notices from them that it would go to collections if I did not pay. I did not want to hurt my credit, so I made the payment with reassurance from **************, Senior Practice Manager of Steward Medical Group, that it would be refunded. ***** and I have been emailing since November 1, 2023 about the refund. It has still not been issued. I ask her for an email update multiple times a week and she claims that it is in processing, even once claiming the refund check was sent when it wasn't. I have given them more than enough time to come to resolution, but now it feels like they are avoiding the refund that I am owed. My insurance shows the doctor is now in network with no lapse in coverage (see attached), but since I paid Steward Medical Group directly, I have to work through them on the refund. I feel that this is malpractice and ***** has claimed I am not the only one going through this. I have all email communication (see below) that I am due a refund. They have recorded calls where they told me that the doctor was in-network and that the payment (attached) was made in error. Please help as I am getting nowhere working with them directly.

  Business response

  07/11/2024

  This patient is in the Steward Arizona market. I am a practice manager in the Steward Pennsylvania market. This complaint should be forwarded to *****************. She is the senior practice manager who has been handling this situation. I do not have access to this patient's account.

  Customer response

  07/11/2024

  Hi there,

  Thank you for reviewing my complaint. I forgot to mention that the appointment was supposed to be $0 out of pocket with the in-network doctor. This is helpful to understand why I am upset with paying when I was told I wouldnt have to and not being refunded. 
  

  Thanks!

• Initial Complaint

  12/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I went to the Steward Orthopedic office located at ************************************************* suite 301A in **** on October 24th, 2022 at approximately 09:00am. I had an appointment for a bursitis shot for my right hip at 09:15am. I have gotten several bursitis shots from this company in the past . At approximately 09:50am i approached one of the receptionist, who did not have a name tag on, to ask her how long it would be before I would be seen. She responded that she did not know how long it would be and I had to get an x ray first. She never offered to help me find out how long it would take. I explained I was having a shot for bursitis and did not need an x ray. She said I still needed an x ray and she could not tell me how long this would take. It would have been better if she would have said to me, let me see if I could find out how long it will take. Her supervisor, a person whose name began with the letter ** also said I needed an x ray. The ******* ********************** said I did not need an x ray for a bursitis shot and he gave it to **** advised Ms. ** I would no longer be coming to Steward orthopedic. It took a long time to be seen, the receptio nist said she didn't know ahow long it would take to be seen and I was getting confusing information. Ms. ** gave me a consent for release of information which I filled out and left in the office. A few weeks later I called Steward orthopedic to find out the status of my records and they told me they did not have a release of information. After that I called Ms ** and left a message telling her I did not have my records, it and has been two or three weeks since leaving my message and she has not returned my call. ******* took a message for me to give to Ms. ******* a person she said deals with those kind of problems, it has been two or three weeks since I left that message for Ms. ******* and I have not been called by her either.********** ***************************

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