If it deals with cancer or precancer - AVOID this Dermatology office
After discussing what happened to me I was encouraged to keep telling others as it could save a life. It could still be deadly for me.
VA referred, I was given 999 appts at 6 mos intervals. Even though VA had just biopsied a spot on my back and came back ok, they decided to do 3 more biopsies. Their results showed abnormalities & explained it was vital to remove them surgically without delay. There was a higher than normal chance the moles would turn into something more serious. They removed 2 of 3 & set an appt for the third, as well as what would be my 6 mos check. Unfortunately for unknown reasons, except maybe overexposure in the military, I'm prone to skin cancers, but not melanoma yet, my brother has had one. I was never a sun worshiper nor have ever used a tanning bed. So it's essential to be checked as often as possible since I've had 9 cancers removed from my face alone.
When I left having the 2 removed, receptionist told me to make sure I contact their billing with what needed to be done to extend the 6 mos. Approval would end just before my next appt. I called their billing. Person who answered wouldn't let me hold to talk to billing—asked what I wanted. I told her I needed to provide necessary info to extend my VA approval because it would end before my next appt. It couldn't be allowed to expire. She told me, "she knows what she's doing." I told her I'd wait. "Don't worry. She knows what she's doing. It'll be ok, just show up for your appt."
The VA intern said just in case things would fall through, he'd make an appt in Atlanta to ensure I was seen regularly. If I was referred out, cancel the appt. I hadn't canceled the appt until after I was assured they knew what they were doing because getting an appt with VA dermatology is not an easy process & can take mos.
At 3 pm day before my appt to remove this 'abnormal mole that must be removed from my back' they call & tell me they're canceling my appt because they weren't able to reach anyone at the VA!
I was furious because instantly, I knew: A. She obviously didn't know what she was doing. B. They had let the approval expire. C. They hadn't made any attempt to extend my approval until they pulled med records for appts in the following week, which by that time, the approval had expired. D. They didn't contact me when they realized they had royally screwed me & waited until it was way too late to try to rectify their mistake. E. I would not be receiving any inspection for new cancers for a minimum of 1 year now & probably much longer. F. I had canceled hard to get VA appt. G. I was now condemned to live with this abnormality on my back, or the doctors had been lying when they said it was vital I had it removed.
How do I know all of this? If she knew what needed to be done to extend authorization, they wouldn't have had to contact anyone. To extend an approval was an online procedure. Sign in & follow instructions. If they had any problems doing that, they would have called me then. They waited until it came time to pull records for upcoming appts, realized they hadn't done what they were supposed to do & tried to correct in final minutes. I know this because I did not receive an appt reminder call.
Had this been a melanoma & they canceled like this, would I have been dead by now? How long before this abnormal mole changes to something deadly? How many with melanoma or other actual skin cancers do they do this to, with VA or other insurance? Cancer & precancerous is not something to play with. Cancer doesn't wait for lazy employees to get off their derriere & do their job. It doesn't wait until the last minute to allow someone to rectify staff errors. So if you value your life or someone you love, do not go to Dr. Gardners. It's obvious they don't do their jobs properly. It's obvious they DON'T CARE! Maybe facelifts you're ok, but anything with the possibility or probability of cancer – avoid at all cost if you value your life or your loved ones.