Buffington Family Medicine

Reviews 3

TE

texas twinks

I have been a patient with Dr. Buffington since 2010 and absolutely loved him! I have referred many people to him including my family. However, I recently began noticing a change in the operation of his practice and not for the better. Then, about a week or two ago, my pharmacy was having issues with getting a response from Dr. Buffingtons office regarding a request to refill my thyroid medicine. After leaving a message with the Dr.s office, someone did contact me regarding the refill matter which had never been an issue before. I was informed by the office staff person that it was a "law" and that I am required to get my thyroid tested twice a year in order to obtain refills on the medicine. I have been in the healthcare field for many years and stated that I had never heard of such a law and that it had been less than six months since my last thyroid check. The person told me that they would check with the Nurse Practitioner, who does the refills, about the matter. I also requested that Dr. Buffington contact me since I had never been seen by and was not under the care of the Nurse Practitioner. I was contacted again the next day and was told that it was now the Dr.s protocol (not a "law" this time) to have it checked twice a year. I then asked about why the sudden change of protocol, especially since I have been a patient for nearly six years and during that time I only had my thyroid checked once a year unless there were issues which there havent been for quite a while. I also told them that I would talk to Dr. Buffington about it during my next visit and would try to get to the office in the next 30 days but I often travel for my work and wasnt sure when I could make it in as they would only give me a refill for 30 days. The next week, I made a lab appointment at the office to get my thyroid tested. I arrived for my appointment on time and waited for about 15 minutes when I was called back by the office manager and informed that Dr. Buffington no longer wanted to see me as a patient because I was refusing Dr.s protocol. The office manager did not take me to an office as she was telling me this in the hallway next to the checkout desk. I asked to speak to the Dr multiple times to explain what happened and that I was initially told that it was a law and that I was there to get my thyroid tested but was advised the Dr didnt want to speak to me. After further research, I found some information regarding the protocol that should be used by physicians when terminating a patient relationship. Texas Medical Board (TMB) rules say "termination of patient care without providing reasonable notice to the patient" violates the Texas Medical Practice Act. While the board rules do not define reasonable notice, it generally should be given to patients in writing and should allow them anywhere from two weeks to 30 days to find another physician. Physicians need to be careful when dismissing patients from their care. The only legal requirement physicians must meet when terminating a relationship with a patient is that they avoid abandonment, which may result in civil liability for the physician. The way the situation was handled was very unprofessional. As a patient, I have every right to contribute to my own healthcare especially when it affects me physically, mentally and financially. I do not recommend this practice.

JO

Joanna Hargis

We signed up with Humana Choice PPO and were assigned to Buffington. Called Monday to make an appointment and were stonewalled by the clerk who would not verify the coverage, saying stubbornly that they dont take the insurance which is an Advantage plan because my husband uttered the M word. He told them he was assigned to Buffington by the insurance company under his plan and asked them to verify it which she refused to do. So he got upset after several rounds of discussion on the matter and yelled at them. So yesterday I called the insurance company to re verify this Dr is on the insurance which they did. So I called the office and asked to speak to the Drs insurance expert and was told there was none. So I went onto explain I had verified the doctor does take this plan, with the insurance company and am confused as to why my husband was told they dont. I gave her the name of the plan again and she jumped to the conclusion, because of my husbands age, this was Medicare and told me once again they did not accept it. So I pressed on further, explaining that Medicare is not involved in the claims in so far as the doctors office only needs to file claims with the insurance company who then reimburses the doctors office. Since it is an advantage plan, the insurance company files with Medicare. So the doctors office is out of the loop on this and need not be concerned with Medicare filings at all. So it was after some 30 combined minutes of discussion and frayed nerves by all, that she finally acquiesced they the office does accept this plan. Meanwhile, hubby found another doctor on the plan and made an appointment with him. Later in the day, when we had time to talk, I relayed to my conversation with the office to him and ended with, they will not stonewall you now...just dont ever mention the word MEDICARE because it will confuse the clerk. By this time, he had filled out all the forms for the new doctor. But never the less cancelled the new doctor to set an appointment with Buffington, a doctor he had seen previously! So today he called Buffington back and got an appointment set only to be called back later to be told his appointment was being cancelled because he yelled at them on Monday...REALLY? In the end, he reset the appointment with the new doctor and he is moving on. But folks, if you dont want to spend all of your final days trying to see a doctor, avoid this office alltogether.

JA

Jacqueline Kala

Untrustworthy and a waste of time and money! After several visits of nurses coming out into the busy waiting room and discussing my medical records and other visits of me correcting nurses (again in the waiting room) for why I was there and what blood tests I was supposedly needing; sadly, this office is a lawsuit waiting to happen. If they hadnt already, Dr. Buffington and his staff completely lost my trust the day I received a nearly $7,000 bill from American Labs for a saliva test. Apparently, this office ran a medically unnecessary swab test on me (they told me I couldnt have my prescription till I took this test, come to find out that was not true) and also switched lab companies without informing me. I contacted his office after receiving this bill and they explained that they couldnt find my medical records. Shady and unsettling since I expect these people to keep track of my medical history. I was forced to contact my insurance company who also contacted Buffingtons office and the office staff claimed they didnt run any tests on me (which they did but lost the record?). Its been a huge mess! Throughout my year and a half there, Dr. Buffington ran several unnecessary blood tests on me that other senior doctors have informed me theyve never tested anyone for such tests in their many years of practice. I can only assume that Dr. Buffington is getting a huge kick back for each of these tests. This is not a business I would ever trust with my health. Ive already changed my doctor and feel much more comfortable visiting a doctor and office that I trust to do whats medically necessary while keeping track of my medical records.