First Care Medical Group

Reviews 6

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Denise Laidler

I called First Medical because my three year old had become very very ill and I was beside myself. First, I was told to call her pediatrician and hung up on. Out of desperation, I called again and a second person told to come in because they provided emergency care. Even though I carried an obviously ill child in, no questions were asked about her symptoms, condition etc. After I was informed they didnt accept my insurance, I replied that I could by cash or a credit card. While waiting with my semi-conscious child in the waiting room for over 40 minutes, I took a picture of the waiting room and my sick child. The first rude receptionist went ballistic and accused me of taking a picture of her and called her Nurse Ratched compatriot. I explained our earlier exchange and I was then treated like a criminal and threatened with the police and arrest. I was told they didnt accept Medicaid, asked if I came from Newark, shouted at and threatened with the police action while trying to explain the problem from my perspective. Then I was made to sign a paper regarding Medicaid, even though I already said I had other means of payment. All while my child semi-conscious in my arms with temperature of over 100, struggling to breath. At no point did anyone ask about the well being of my child. Finally in the exam room filled with worry about my child, Nurse Ratched barged in and again harassed me about pictures with my child writing in agony. Three times I was threatened with the police over pictures that were already deleted. As a professional writer I can quite eloquently articulate my experience without the support of the pictures. Although I hadnt threatened anyone, had not displayed any violent behavior, cursed, displayed a weapon (except my skin color) was not gesticulating wildly. Armed with my dark skin and sick child, I became less human, a template of a criminal was fitted and around around my neck. I wondered if the police came, in the ensuing moments what would become of my suffering child? I am quite aware that I was stigmatized because I carried a State insurance card and given that a preponderance of blacks live in Newark, surely I must have crawled from an inner city ghetto with the tendencies and sensibilities associated with "these types of people." Zero compassion, concern and consideration was shown. Im sure if a dog was dying on the street, it would have received more compassion. But blacks are animals and criminals with non of the humanistic attributes that a "normal" person would feel in this circumstance. so why should we expect to be treated like humans? I no longer have to imagine what life in the 1950s was like for blacks in the Deep South because I experienced it first hand at First Medical in Verona.

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Mohsin Rafiq

Im actually no longer going there after recently having the rudest encounter with their receptionist, Naomi. I am working towards a career in law enforcement and there are certain forms that my physician must sign for me to partake in physical evaluations. I called ahead and advised I was coming in for this and could only provide the paperwork to my physician. They said that was fine. When I arrived there, Naomi, the receptionist wouldnt allow it. Said I would have to show it to her, she would have to read it and then provide it to my physician. When I argued and asked for my physician to come speak with me she reluctantly called her to the front. My physician gladly signed the paperwork as this was not our first encounter with me coming in for such a purpose. Naomi then waits till my doctor leaves and says I must be charged a Form Fee equivalent to my copay mind you. Im sorry but Im a grown man, a professional in the workforce. If you wish to act like a childish, disrespectful, individual and act like you have some authority over me, believe me there are tons of physicians out there that I can go to. In the long run.....save your time and patience, find physicians that can afford to hire reliable and professional staff.

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Lyndyn Kraemer

If I had the option to give this place zero stars I would. First off the staff is extremely unprofessional. It seems like its an inconvenience to them every time you call or ask them a question. Every single time Ive called to have my asthma medication refilled its been a three or four day process to get my prescription filled. Every single time I call two or three days in advance to make an appointment they tell me they are booked and I have to come and wait as a walk-in. What was the point of making this place my primary care physician if I can never get an appointment?! If I wanted to wait every time I went to the doctor I would just go to some EMO. I will most definitely be changing my primary care physician. And I would strongly recommend to anybody that consider going to this place to spend a little extra time and find another doctor because this place WILL just waste your time. Also I dont see the point of having this place as my primary care physician when I see a different doctor every single time I go there. That does not seem like a personal treatment plan to me.

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Nani Rosalie

horrible! long wait times, unprofessional front desk staff. rude when you call and follow up with said phone call 4 days later with a completely different response then what was initially stated-- how about taking notes and following a process or procedure? nope people calling you back could care less and more concerned with their manicure appointment or facebook update!!! had a pre scheduled appointment for a routine physical with the MD and waited 30 minutes to see her then waited another 30 while she loudly stated she had to check her email-- because it was so backed up---umm i am in the next room and can here you clearly (discretion?/professionalism?) duh!--was she not aware she had an appointment ? waited 45 min .. then she comes in and doesnt even apologize! examines me for 10 min and says im fine! what a professional and thorough medical exam! ridiculous what an unprofessional facility and complete lack of respect or consideration for patients. if working for the public is stressful get another job working in a cubicle!!!

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A Private User

While their hours are convenient, their service is lacking. Office staff seems ill-prepared and obstinate. Some of the doctors could improve their bedside manner - when being examined for an ear infection, I said Id been swimming over the weekend. The dr. said rather rudely, "Well, you shouldnt swim in dirty pools". (Like I knew the pool was dirty!?) They recently refused a referral to a specialist Ive been seeing for years, since I hadnt been sick and seen them in a year. I had to come in to get my "physical" which didnt involve much more than BP. When I couldnt provide a urine sample they insinuated that I was using drugs. The final straw is that after all that effort to obtain the referral, which I had in-hand when I visited my specialist, First Care never sent it to the insurance company and I was billed for out of network service. I had to call back and tell them to fax it. Complete ineptitude. And their waiting area smells bad!

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Ann S

Dr. Lipsitch is a fantastic doctor, takes time to talk to you and looks into every aspect of your health to resolve any problems you may have. Would recommend her highly. If you can see past the front desk staff who are rather unpleasant especially the young girl who doesnt even acknowledge you are standing at her desk, never smiles and so offhand, she needs an attitude adjustment !! So much so my husband refused to see the doctor and went elsewhere. You will be pleased with the medical care you will receive. when you do get to the examination room. You can make an appointment but still may have to wait. However the rest of the staff are friendly and helpful and I would recommend you try First Care.

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