ComplaintsforStram Center for Integrative Medicine

• Initial Complaint

  03/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I made an appointment to have a session in a hyperbaric chamber there is a consultation the chamber session was 150.00 but i had to put down 200 deposit . i have issues and thought this would help i did not read on the sight anything about BP although they have changed it ...but they did not change the part about side effects so i have this as proof also they charge per session ..when i called NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT BP ..NOR DURING THE CALL JUST HOW DID MY BP RUN if i was pre warned verbally i would not have made the appointment. I gave permission for the deposit the rest was to be in cash/check. they could not do the chamber due to my BP being high i left and they charged my card 200 and the 150. i filled a complaint with the credit card and they responded that the 150. was for the consultation ...i have from their web site now charging 165. for the single chamber they DO NOT GIVE THE COST OF THE CONSULTATION ...they want payment for nothing they said so no where does it say in side effects it raises bp. SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure. To minimize this, patients will learn techniques during compression and decompression to clear the ears. Occasionally, some patients may experience changes in their vision during the treatment which are usually minor and temporary. INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT: The following conditions are considered off-label which may or may not be covered by insurance or Medicare: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Lyme Disease, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Near Drowning, Recovery from Plastic Surgery, Sports injuries, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury. FEES: single session: $165; 5 pack: $775; 10 pack: $1,400; 20 pack: $2,600; 40 pack: $5,000; 50 pack: $6,000; 100 pack: $10,000. Please note: refunds of unused package sessions will be prorarated

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  On January 4, 2024 patient contacted our office interested in making an appointment to be evaluated for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It was explained to patient that the cost of the consultation where she is evaluated for this therapy is $350.00. The entire $350.00 is just for the cost of the consultation. At the time of scheduling the consultation, a $200 deposit is taken to hold the appointment and is then deducted from the $350.00 consultation fee the day of the consultation. Patient then has a remaining balance of $150.00 for the consultation ($350.00-$200.00=$150.00) There is no charge for the hyperbaric chamber session. This is complementary to patients who are scheduled for this type of consultation.

  Patient was scheduled for her consultation on January 12, 2024 at 8:30am and her complimentary chamber session was scheduled for 10:00am. During patients consultation a physical exam was conducted and it was determined that it would not be safe for the patient to enter the chamber due to having high blood pressure. The patient was asked to wait in the lobby while her provider finished her Encounter Summary and made blood pressure management recommendations. Patient determined she did not feel like waiting for her recommendations since she was unable to go in the chamber at the moment so the patient left the office without checking out with the front desk. When the provider came to the look for the patient it was determined that she had left. The same day, January 12, 2024, a phone call was then made by a front desk team member to patient regarding her plan moving forward including the rescheduling of her hyperbaric oxygen chamber session. Patient started yelling over the phone and being belligerent stating there are no recommendations for her if she cannot enter the chamber. Our front desk staff then explained that we could not let her in due to a safety issue of her blood pressure being high, but that we could reschedule her to another time when it would be safe for her. Patient was still irate stating her blood pressure is always high and that's normal for her. Patient then started calling our front desk staff "Scammers" and "Scumbags." Patient also spoke with our practice manager who re-explained the fees to the patient as she was not understanding that the total $350.00 is for the consultation with the provider and that there is no charge for the chamber session. Patient had her consultation with the provider so the consultation fee is very much valid.

  Patient then reached out to the office again on March 11, 2024 once again irate and looking for a refund of the $350.00. Patient spoke with our office manager who reiterated all information that was stated to the patient prior. All calls with this patient have been documented.

   

  Customer response

  03/20/2024

  I TOOK A COPY OF THE PAGES THEY HAD REGARDING THE CHAMBER    NO WHERE DID IT GIVE THE PRICE OF THE CONSULTATION THAT WAS DONE ON THE PHONE THE ONLY COST ON LINE WAS THE PRICE OF THE VISIT TO THE CHAMBER

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