Rheumatology Associates Of South Texas

This was one of the most wasted time. They can't explain to their own staff what insurance they take. I called weeks in advance to confirm if they took my mother insurance, which I was told. Yes we do. To only find out once all the paperwork and information is sent over, and was calling to make the appointment. That now they didn't it. This deeply concerns me if they can't seem to get this address and disseminated among staff. How good is the care they provide? Plus as the supervisor indicated its all about money!

Extremely upset with this doctor office and how they handle business with new patients. Especially when the patients you deal with are struggling with memory, pain and a list a mile long of other issues. Must be nice to have so many patients that you get away with treating them like this. I made an appointment like any other office but my issue was with trying to cancel said appointment. They called me a Friday to confirm (Crystal I believe) and at that time I told her that I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make the appointment since we were out of town. We were leaving to come back from 5 hours away on the same day as my appointment which was scheduled for the following Monday at 1pm. She told me that they didn't have an available appointment until July and advised me not to cancel. I told her I would call back Monday morning to cancel if we couldn't make it. At no point during this conversation did she state that if I called back on Monday to cancel that there would be any fees. Fast forward to Monday and we get stuck in traffic on the way hone fron Houston. We would not be back until after the appointment time around Monday at 2pm a the earliest. She then told me there would be a $100 cancelation fee that was explained to me months prior to that when I first made the appointment. They then charged me the fee and refused to refund the money even if I made a new appointment. When I spoke to the Office Manager Helen she told me that this office wasn't for me. They will not refund any money. Stated that they can find the recording from Monday but conveniently can't locate the one from Friday. Without the Friday recording they refused to refund me the money. She did offer to mail my records to my home address after she told me that maybe their office isn't for me. Well .. now I happen to agree. It's convenient to train staff to not get patients to cancel only to charge them $100 if they don't make it. Very unhappy!

I left my house in a timely manner, but ended up running a bit late due to horrible traffic. I called and spoke to Sara and she was very sweet and understanding. She told me to be safe, but did let me know if I did not arrive during their grace time, I would have to reschedule. Well I made it and was only 5 minutes late. The receptionist signed me in, and I explained I had spoken to Sara, the receptionist was also very understanding and said “you are still good because your are only 5 minutes late”. BUT right then Kimberly (the extremely heavy set woman who takes patients back) refused to take me back because I was 5 minutes late. The receptionist even told her I was next, and Kimberly, with GREAT hesitation, took me back and she was quite rude the whole time. Then I saw Kimberly whisper to Jennifer Zavala the PA who was supposed to see me this day, something in her ear. Long story short, they made me wait over an hour to be seen. At one point Jennifer came in, I think on accident, then quickly said “I have the wrong room, you will have to wait a little longer”. I felt they were “punishing me” for being 5 minutes late. I felt their behaviors were extremely unprofessional to say the least. I just ended up leaving and no I did not pay for this appointment. I have ALWAYS been on time for my appointments and they damned me for being 5 minutes late ONE time! Ridiculous!