Eric Barth
1/5
tl;dr Very unprofessional and dishonest business practices. Treated me like a customer rather than a patient.
I went to Austin Gastro because I was experiencing mild but periodic stomach pains. I assumed it wasn't a big deal but just wanted peace of mind. The Doctor+PA asked if I had ever seen blood in my stool. I told them rarely, and only when extremely constipated, and in small amounts. It's something many people probably experience occasionally.
Well, they told me on that basis I NEEDED to have a colonoscopy + endoscopy performed urgently to rule out colon cancer.
I asked if there were other, less invasive methods I could pursue, even if they weren't as comprehensive/accurate as a colonoscopy. I was told that the only other test they could perform was a blood test, but that would only rule out Celiacs disease, and I would still need the colonoscopy. (FYI that information is false, there are other tests, including stool samples, imaging exams, etc).
I asked how much the procedure would cost, and they said I would receive precisely two bills: 1) a bill from the physician performing the exam for ~$900, and 2) a bill from a third party anesthesiologist, for which they could not provide an estimate. I called the anesthesiologist's office directly, and they quoted me $1500. Grand total ~$2400. Steep, but I reluctantly moved forward.
The colonoscopy + endoscopy revealed absolutely nothing. Austin Gastro called and said I was fine, no sign of cancer. Okay great, I already figured that. But what about the reason I went to you in the first place? Any idea about the stomach pains?
Well, two months later I received a ~$700 bill from a pathologist who interpreted my colonoscopy results. And then eight months later I received a bill for $2200 from the hospital itself. Nearly $3k in additional charges that were not disclosed to me.
After I got the bill from the pathologist I called Austin Gastro to inquire and WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT, as if this is something deal with on a regular basis, they snidely pointed out that I signed THIS page on THIS form on THIS date, and therefore I was financially liable for any and all bills I receive.
I had initially told them I was reluctant to get the exam due to cost. And the fact that they were so quick to point out how they got me on the paperwork, the fact that they didn't even once bother to mention my symptoms after I had agreed to get the colonoscopy -- it all left me with zero doubt that AG was grossly negligent or they just saw me as another customer they could refer for a profitable exam.
There are some great doctors and facilities out there. Austin Gastro isn't one of them.