David M Xwh

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Hanover, Pennsylvania

UPMC - Charged for no service rendered

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

On 8/4/2021 I went to the emergency room at UPMC Hanover at about 2am with severe mouth pain from an infected tooth and a small abscess. I told both the receptionist and the physician that I had an appointment to see the dentist and that I was ONLY seeking something stronger than Anbesol for pain relief so I could sleep for a few hours as I hadnt slept in two days.

The receptionist admitted me fully aware that I was only there seeking pain relief. When the physician looked at my mouth for all of 5 seconds he said "There's nothing I can do for you. You need to see a dentist.", with an attitude like I was bothering him. So then he has his assistant administer exactly one Amoxicillin capsule with no further prescription.

I assume he works on commission and did this to claim he treated me. No doctor anywhere prescribes one Amoxicillin capsule as a course of treatment for any condition. Then his assistant comes by with a credit card machine and asks if I'd like to prepay $100 towards my deductible for a small discount. They spent far more time on getting money from me than any treatment or evaluation.

A week later my insurance company receives a bill for $890.35 and I receive a bill for $227, on top of the $100 I already paid in the ER. On top of that, the bill shows $0 paid by me and no adjustments. A few weeks later and I received yet another bill. This one is only $661.21, showing a total charge of $1,117.35.

My health insurance company denied the claim of course stating that they dont cover dental. So is UPMC is claiming they provided a dental service or a medical service? Whatever they are providing seems to have earned them a 1.9 star rating from patients.

Ive received exactly three bills and immediately returned the first two in their envelope with their billing statement and a letter of complaint outlining the above. The second I even wrote on the back of the envelope in bold marker Second Request.

When I received the third bill I called UPMC at 2:49 PM on November 12th. The representative claimed they never received them. When I asked if I could file a complaint the representative asked what it was about, so I explained. After that she became defensive, stating I absolutely know our doctors know what they are doing.

I then requested the address to send a complaint, and sent it out the same day to UPMC Central PA dept 1707 PO Box 2353 Harrisburg, PA 17105. On Friday November 18th a customer service representative named Kathy left a voicemail stating that she had received the complaint, had pulled the account from collections and would get back to me when a decision had been made. On November 29th I called her back at 717-230-**** and left a voice message. On November 30th she returned my call stating that UPMC decided that the charge was legitimate and it would go back into collections.

In closing I informed her that I would be making this complaint to The State. To be frank, the $100 I already paid for theres nothing I can do for you was $100 too much. I have no idea how their chargemaster is allowed to operate so haphazardly. I had an oral surgeon provide an actual service since I was at UPMC, and for less than one third of what UPMC demanded for 5 seconds of nothing.

If they cant provide the service that is requested (dental pain relief in my case) then they shouldnt be admitting those people.

I have retained all bills, phone logs, voice messages and a copy of the original complaint letters.

UPMC decided to contact me regarding this complaint 8 MONTHS LATER and said they would investigate themselves. They found themselves not guilty.G This place is not just a joke, but an expensive joke

View full review
Loss:
$100
Pros:
  • Facility was reasonably clean
Cons:
  • Diagnosis guessing
  • Poor healthcare coverage
  • Customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Drive to York or Gettysburg