By Shell1977 at Citysearch February 16, 2012
As a certified medical coder, I know what should and should not be billed for different services. I was scheduled for a minor office procedure for which I was charged a co-pay. Co-pays are for office visits not procedures. I did question the front staff but 'it is the way they do it.' Once I saw the EOB, I saw that they billed my insurance for an office visit on top of the procedure. To everyone out there: the provider MUST do something above and beyond the procedure in order to bill both services. When I called to talk to a biller, Sue, today, she said that the doctor told me about the procedure and that is the office visit...um, NO! Aren't doctors supposed to tell their patients about what they are going to do and what the patient might feel or experience? These types of discussions are included in the procedure. I requested to have my documentation reviewed by a coder and Sue said that the doctor is on vacation for 2 weeks, so they won't get back to me until she gets back and looks at the documentation, since the DOCTOR picked the codes. I'm a coder and I don't practice medicine. I am more than willing to consult this practice on proper coding. I'm pretty sure they don't look good in stripes or orange jumpsuits! Sorry, MI OBGYN, you have lost a patient...also they billed the wrong insurance for the lab fees, so I'm also dealing with that issue! ...read more
By Peanutoils at Citysearch June 07, 2010
Metro health is no doubt a beautiful institution with amazing up to date technology however, their OBGYN center has really disappointed me. They dont call and remind you of appointments like most doctor offices, they said their office doesn't do that, on two occasions the receptionist staff mixed up my appointments and i came in on the wrong days. The staff strikes me as if they dont know how to use their computers, i think they are trying to get use to a new system because they look confused. The doctors are very nice and respectful but i thought it was bizarre that my Doc had to ask me how many months i was after i had been there for over 6 months(does she not do her research before she comes in the room?) I am strongly debating to leave this center. Besides the facility and technology that keeps me in awe, i just wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. They really need to get their staff in order and organized for that matter. ...read more
By luvleelady at Citysearch March 27, 2010
It was my first appointment here, and after waiting over 30 minutes, I asked the staff if they always ran behind or if today was just a busy day. They contacted a nurse who brought me back shortly after. I was there for a fitting of a diaphragm. The nurse told me I could no longer get a diaphragm and said I was wasting my time, I asked to still speak with the physician about getting one. The nurse left and began to talk to the doctor in the hallway, and with the door closed I still over heard the whole conversation. Where the nurse explained I complained about waiting so long, and about still wanting a diaphragm fitting. The doctor came in and explained the double booked the appt. slot and that is why I was not called in. Then she told me she still would fit me and write me a prescription, even though I might not be able to fill it. The visit was over within seconds and the physician did not even offer me any information about the product and the proper way to use it. I went to the first pharmacy which was CVS and had no problem getting the diaphragm. I felt like I was rushed out because the staff over booked and the physician got behind with earlier patients. The price of an office visit alone is not worth the loss of professional of this office. ...read more
"Independent studies say there is no proven link between artificially added DHA and eyesight, and some studies have found possible negative effects of DHA supplementation." Interested? Read more here: info.babymilkaction.org/pressrelease/pressrelease16mar11 ...read more
By Breastfeeding Support Home Visits, Amanda Stuart March 17, 2011
from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/breastfeeding/factsheet.html "What can families and friends of mothers do? Give mothers the support and encouragement they need to breastfeed. Take advantage of programs to educate fathers and grandmothers about breastfeeding." ...and if they would only print a Surgeon General's Warning on breastmilk substitutes... ...read more
By Breastfeeding Support Home Visits, Amanda Stuart March 10, 2011
New Rochelle, NY, September 25, 2008 – The number of infants in China who have fallen ill as a result of formula tainted by melamine, has reached 53,000 and is responsible for the deaths of at least three infants. (New York Times, September 24, 2008) A report released by the Xinhua News Agency indicates the Sanlu Group, the producer of the tainted formula, had received consumer complaints about their product as early as December 2007, and repeatedly made efforts to hide information about possible contamination. Melamine, a chemical compound used mainly as a fire retardant, has been identified as the contaminant in the formula which has now led to the recall of Chinese-made dairy products in China and other parts of Asia as well. In response to these continuing reports of tainted Chinese baby formula, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (www.bfmed.org) urges public agencies worldwide to renew education and support for breastfeeding. The tragic and unnecessary deaths of infants in China , and the sickening of thousands of others, remind us of a truth health experts have long understood: with extremely rare exceptions, breastmilk is unquestionably the safest method of infant feeding. Much attention has been focused lately on ways in which food and other supply chains in China should be more carefully monitored and regulated, a problem which has proven to be ubiquitous, deeply engrained in the Chinese economy, and thus far highly unmanageable. In the case of infant feeding, however, very little has been said about what would appear to be the most effective long-term strategy to protect infants against future feeding catastrophes, namely, the promotion of breastfeeding. The melamine scandal, together with the terribly catastrophic earthquake that ravaged so many Chinese communities last May, should have demonstrated to China and to the entire world that breastfeeding is a practice that all societies should cherish, safeguard, and promote. This stark reminder of the potential dangers of artificial milk, underscores the importance of promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding worldwide. Dr. Caroline Chantry, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, pointed out “ China is not the first, or only country to fall prey to contaminated baby formula. But we must make it the last. And we do know how.” According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a recent decline in funding world-wide for public education and training of health professionals to support breastfeeding, has resulted in a decline of hospitals implementing the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The Initiative incorporates ten steps for successful breastfeeding, and forbids the unethical promotion of beastmilk substitutes in health facilities. And the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine continues to promote professional education through its conferences, publications, and its peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine (www.liebertpub.com/bfm). ...read more
By Breastfeeding Support Home Visits, Amanda Stuart September 25, 2008
There are often times in many women’s lives when they need to dress nicely but don’t want to spend a lot of money. Whether a woman is shopping for clothes to wear to a new job, or for something to wear to a wedding, there are ways to find beautiful outfits to wear within anyone's budget, n... ...read more
Finding comfortable and stylish plus size clothing can be difficult. Many stores have a limited selection of plus size clothing, or may only have a few sizes. Knowing how to shop for clothing that looks well on your body type is the first step in finding the right styles. ...read more