Peterson, Dr. Michael

Got an appointment quickly, which was my main reason for choosing this doctor. Once I got there, however, there was a long, long, long wait. More importantly, I felt that his billing practices were very shady and unprofessional. For the long story: I was laid off unexpectedly and needed to spend my $600 FSA funds or lose them. Having no insurance and a pinched nerve in my neck, spending those funds on chiropractic care seemed like a pretty good idea. I explained to every person there that I had no insurance and I needed to make sure that I had enough in my FSA to cover the treatment. They told me the first treatment would be $125 and $60 for x-rays, unless I needed more than just the neck, which they didn't think I would, and then $60 for additional treatments. Fine, I said, I can afford that. They all asked how much I had and I told them (about $300 at that point). No problem they said--I asked everyone from the receptionist to the to the intake nurse to the x-ray person to someone who appeared to be the office manager. No problem! So, after a longggggg wait, I finally saw the doctor and he did do a couple of adjustments (which I later found to be helpful, so I am not complaining about that), at which point the told me that he could not do anything further until I had an MRI or, at the very least, x-rays. I told him I could not get an MRI, because I didn't have insurance and that I couldn't afford Just get your x-rays done, he said, and then it will be safe to treat you. So, of course when I go to get the x-rays, they say I need the neck and upper back, so that will be more than $100. Whatever, I just want to feel better. Then I go back into the waiting room and the billing person calls me into her office and explains that I am a good candidate for some fancy treatment the doctor offers and it will be $300 for a session. I'm like, $300? I don't have $300 in my account and what part of "I don't have insurance" were they missing. She tells me, it's okay, they take credit cards. W**? I'm out of work and no insurance and I want to spend $300 on some therapy that I've never even heard of. No thanks I say, but thanks for nothing. Bottom line: If I had known that the x-rays would essentially be worthless, I would not have gotten them. If I had known that they were trying to trick me, I would never have visited this "doctor." If I had known it would be $325 total, I probably would have gotten a massage and spent the other $250 on prescription sunglasses. I don’t recommend Michael Peterson, but if you go anyway, make sure you get the costs upfront.

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