Ben N

Review of LoCicero Medical Group

Referral, insurance, proximity, etc. what ever the...

Referral, insurance, proximity, etc. what ever the reason, it is not worth the trouble. Save yourself the pain and find either an alternative location to see the same doctor or find yourself another doctor.

I was here yesterday 6/6/2018 and it was the most horrendous medical experience in my life and I will neither recommend or use LoCicero Medical Group.

I came to a 12:15pm appointment at 11:50am and checked in as instructed. I was given new patient paperwork and handed it back at 12:12pm. Thereafter I just waited there till 12:45p at which point I spoke to the front desk ladies who seemed to be chit chatting and asked them if it will be much longer and let them know that I had another appointment at 2pm in St. Pete. They said I was the next patient so I sat back down and continued to wait. At 1:02p, I was asked to pay my copay. I have the receipt with the timestamp and this is important because of what happens next.

At 1:26p, a medical tech comes out and called me into an examination room and tells me that Dr. Farooq left at 12:45p because they thought I was not going to come for my appointment and that I was late... and that he would be back at 3p if I wanted to wait. It took all the effort I could muster to take a breath and politely let him know that I checked in at 11:55a and submitted all my forms before 12:15p and that I have been sitting and waiting outside so it is impossible for someone to think I was not there. Furthermore, if the doctor had already left at 12:45p, what was the deal with asking me to pay for my copay at 1:02p after the doctor had left. I asked to see the manager.

The office manager Aileen proceeds to blame the front desk for not informing the back office that I was already there and for making me pay. There was no accountability and no real solution to the problem. I requested a refund and she suggested that I just reschedule so I do not have to pay the next time. I let her know that there would be no next time and that I wanted my money back. They voided my CC charge and I am holding on to that slip till I am sure it is actually done. It is a pity there is no way to penalize the clinic for the miserable 4 hours of my life I spent waiting plus driving there and back from northern Pinellas County.

While I was waiting, the lead doctor came up on a promotional TV screen and talked about how the practice is modeled around Mayo Clinic. Nothing can be further from the truth. Thankfully, I was able to see another doctor elsewhere today and I had a great experience.