Dr. Aubrey Lieberman – An Open Letter
I posted an article on the bad experience I had with one of my specialty doctors, Dr. Aubrey Lieberman?a few weeks ago. To re-cap the receptionist, Patty?never told me the doctor was running over 90 minutes behind. So after 30 minutes I asked how much longer it would be and found out it would be at least another 60 minutes. I wasn’t waiting anymore so I informed Patty and?left.
Dr. Aubrey Lieberman then billed me for the visit…nice huh? I complained, then he mailed me a nasty letter and paid back the insurance company for the visit. Oh and he discharged me (ah, I got fired) from his practice.
These are the actions I took:
1. Filed a grievance letter with my insurance company Blue Cross which Aubrey Lieberman?will now have to address. In that grievance I complain that in my opinion?fraud occurred for the billing.
2. I posted 2 blog articles with his name in the headline so that would-be Google searchers will be able find this information and make an educated?choice on Dr. Aubrey Lieberman and his ethics.
3. I posted several reviews on physician sites that he belongs to?expressing my concern for the ordeal.
Now, how?could Dr. Aubrey Lieberman better handle this situation, it’s really very simple:
1. If the doctor is more than say 30 minutes behind be open and honest with incoming patients. Just tell them approximately how long the wait will be. In my case if Patty was nice enough to say he was behind 90 minutes I would have just rescheduled to another day and NONE of this would have happened. Simple right?
2. After I left Dr. Lieberman could have mailed me a simple letter saying: I’m sorry for your inconvenience and would like the opportunity to reschedule your appointment. Please call us back at 508-580-3330. Simple right?
Now what not to do:
1. Make patients unwillingly wait for 90 minutes.
2. If they leave, bill them.
Sounds simple right?
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
August 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
An even better solution would have been for Dr. Lieberman’s receptionist to call you prior to the appointment to tell you he was running 90 minutes late. This would allow you to decide whether to invest the time (and fuel!) to drive to his office.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
It’s amazing how so many doctors get away with being late. If I were to be late, I couldn’t bill my bride… geez, if I were to be 90 min late … A. I would be fired. I couldn’t fire them. B. I could have missed the ceremony C. I would have been all over the forums how I was late…
So what do I make a practice of doing? Being early. I respect my clients time and money.
I wish Doctors would do the same.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Call me to inform me that the doc was running late…that’s some hi-tech thinking for a doctor! Ironically they called me the day before to confirm but we all know that’s so they have less no shows.
The funny part is that he billed me my $15 co-pay. Total jerk move.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
It amazes me how arrogant doctors can be, and how self-serving. I’ve also had the very frustrating experience of waiting for long periods of time every time I go in. Once, I was just in to get a 5 second shot from the nurse (no doctor contact at all) and ended up waiting 30 minutes. Finally, I complained and said “I’m just here for a shot.” The receptionist looked at her records, said “oh, well I’ll tell a nurse to get you right away.” Five minutes later, I was done and out the door.
My mother told me that when she was pregnant with me, she scheduled the very first doctor’s visit of the day for her appointment so she wouldn’t have to wait. When she arrived, there were several other women there. Turns out, the doctor had scheduled about 5 8am sharp appointments!
However, it looks like your doc has a reputation. I looked him up online and he has a bad rating… mostly because he’s always late!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I also have seen Dr. Lieberman and find him to be an excellent doctor. His staff has issues, and the wait can be long. But the doctor was able to diagnose and treat me, where 4 others were not. I would see him again in a second.
He is an excellent doctor.