I am Formal Complaint Regarding Unprofessional Conduct and Billing Practices – Dr Turner (Blaine & Associates) to formally log a…
I am writing to formally log a complaint regarding the highly distressing experience I had with Blaine & Associates (specifically Dr Turner) following my recent C-section at Vergelegen Medi-Clinic. As a first-time mother, the procedure was already traumatic, and the subsequent treatment by this practice has exacerbated an already stressful situation.
The administration team has failed to complete the necessary documentation required by my medical aid for payment processing. Instead of resolving this administrative duty, the practice has resorted to aggressive payment demands and threats. This issue could be resolved promptly if the administrative staff submitted the required forms to the medical aid.
Despite our medical aid contacting Dr. Turner's administration office directly and requesting that they complete the required documentation, a single page motivation form, to secure additional funding for the procedure, the administrative staff refused to do so.
Instead, they repeatedly insisted that we submit the outstanding amount through our gap cover, rather than completing the necessary documentation that would have allowed the medical aid to assess and approve the additional costs at medical aid rates. According to our medical aid, the practice only needed to provide a brief explanation for the additional costs incurred during the C section procedure before approval could be granted.
Due to Dr. Turner's administration's refusal to complete this documentation, we were left with no alternative but to pay almost 90% of the outstanding account ourselves. We believe this financial burden could have been significantly reduced had the practice fulfilled its administrative responsibility by submitting the required information to the medical aid.
Even after we settled the outstanding account, the practice continued to threaten us with legal action and blacklisting. Just two days after payment had been made, we received a letter from their attorneys demanding payment and threatening to blacklist us if the account was not settled.
This was particularly distressing, as the outstanding amount arose because Dr. Turner's administration had refused to complete the required documentation requested by our medical aid. Had the practice fulfilled its administrative responsibility by submitting the necessary information, the medical aid would have been able to assess and consider the additional funding. Instead, we were forced to carry a significant financial burden and were subsequently subjected to unnecessary legal threats, despite having already paid the account in full.
I urge Vergelegen Medi-Clinic to review its association with this practice, as their current administrative conduct and lack of patient empathy are unacceptable. I request a swift resolution to the outstanding paperwork.