Advanced Diagnostics Healthcare

When my husband and I moved to Houston about a year ago, we looked through countless Google reviews, searching for a PCP in our area. We decided on Dr. Do after reading reviews on various websites. Our first couple of visits went fine. The front desk staff was less than decent and my nurse told me she «knew who I belonged to» (my husband had recently visited) which may or may not be a HIPAA violation, but our experience with Dr. Do was positive. She was friendly, professional, knowledgable, and never seemed in a rush during our visits.
However, after I saw Dr. Do for an annual check-​up, which my insurance covers at 100% with no co-​pay, I received two medical bills in the mail. I contacted Advanced Diagnostics regarding the bills and was referred to Ms. Patricia Urbano. She suggested I speak with my insurance company. My insurance company informed me that Dr. Do performed tests not covered under the annual physical exam.
Let me be clear, Dr. Do did ask my permission to perform these tests in a «Do you want these tests,» nonchalant sort of manner that made me assume the tests were routine protocol and covered in the visit, not a «Do you want these tests not covered by the visit that you really don’t need because you have zero risk factors,» sort of way. She also asked my permission to perform many routine parts of the exam, so I kind of assumed (silly me) that she just asked permission for everything to ensure I felt comfortable and knew what to expect.
I have since been made aware by my insurance that is the responsibility of both the doctor AND the patient to know what is and is not covered during these exams. Silly me for trusting my doctor to inform me that a test is not a routine part of the exam and could cost extra!
Okay, back to the bills. Ms. Urbano initially responded to my emails and phone calls in a relatively timely and polite manner and said she was working on the issue. However, after I received a third notice and had heard nothing back from Ms. Urbano, I sent another email requesting the issue be resolved, which Ms. Urbano said she would forward to Dr. Do. In this email I mentioned that I felt what Dr. Do did was unethical and seemed like a way to make an «extra buck» (389 bucks to be exact). All of my subsequent emails and phone calls were then ignored. How professional.
After checking my credit score yesterday, I discovered the medical bills had been reported to creditors. How frustrating! Here I am, just a young student trying to build credit, and the people of Advanced Diagnostics, who will not even communicate with me, place TWO derogatory marks (two separate bills) on my credit. Shame on you Dr. Do, Ms. Urbano, and Advanced Diagnostics.
Let this be a lesson to anyone reading, should you choose to see Dr. Do and you care about your money, ask about the cost of EVERYTHING, bring insurance documents stating what is and isn’t covered, and do not expect to have any financial issues that may arise be resolved via phone or email.

I changed insurance providers and it required me to choose a PCP. This was new to me, but sometimes you have to do things you’d rather not and insurance coverage is still good so this change was a necessary evil. I looked through the list and found this place that was a mere 5 minute drive from where I live — plus, Dr. Do had pretty good reviews! We have a winner!
I made an appointment for 10:30 am on Friday for my annual physical check up and arrived about 20 minutes ahead of the appointed time. I thought I would be finished and home by 11:30 so I had the entire day planned with that in mind, since I had a flight out of Houston that evening. The parking lot was pretty full and though the entire strip was located on a small road, the spots in front of the clinic side of the strip were full so I parked further down. Once in, over half of the seats in the waiting area were full. I know that the place had several doctors, so I didn’t think too much of it.
You go straight to the receptionist (s) at the counter. They don’t really look at you until you say something. I’m hoping it’s because they were busy and were not rude in general. However, once you have their attention, they’re fairly nice in an all-​business manner. It’s their job to make sure you fill out all the forms.
I filled out the forms and then returned them. It was close to my appointment time now. More people came in and I ended up sitting next to a nice Hispanic guy and we spoke for a while. I wasn’t called in until 40 minutes after my appointment. Turns out my physical also included a female wellness check up. Fun stuff, but why not? Plus, it was all covered by my insurance. Might as well see what my body has been up to.
The nurse that brought me in was really nice. When I told her that my appointment was actually at 10:30 when she said they weren’t too far behind (when she came to get me, another patient on the waiting floor asked her how much longer she had to wait), she said that it wasn’t too bad since it didn’t hit the 1 hour mark. I found that wait time ridiculous. Even if there were delays, there are no excuses for that kind of delay (more than 15 minutes) unless you double booked. Apparently, they get really busy and the day before, they had a total of 30 patients just in the morning and they’re off for an hour and a half for lunch.
She asked me the usual questions and I felt pretty comfortable, despite the amount of time I spent waiting. I was then brought to a different room (turns out their other rooms were full so in order to not delay too much, they brought me in anyway) before my vital signs were taken. I blame my slightly higher than normal BP reading on that walk, haha. Then I was brought to an examination room for the actual consultation and procedures with Dr. Do. Dr. Do was really nice, asking things pertaining to my health but also about myself in general. I’m sure she was busy but I didn’t feel rushed much. She also has an English accent. Finally, I was lead to a final room for the blood drawing and then given directions for the urine sample.
The entire process was thoroughly explained and I was told the lab results would be ready in 3 days and could be accessed online. I would also be contacted by phone. I then «checked out» and that was that. I was starving by the time I got home by around 12:10 since I had a hunch that I would need my blood drawn, and they recommend you not eat.
Overall, once inside, the experience was good. Outside, the wait is unreasonable and the receptionists could be a little more helpful. I feel like they’re used to more regulars so some of the things aren’t explained too much. Plus, I’m not sure if they know much about what the procedures include because I had called before the appointment to see if I needed to fast before the appointment. The person I spoke to wasn’t sure but said that I should, «just in case.» I thought about how wonderful it would be if I fasted for no reason. Good thing a couple of my friends had their check ups recently and they told me not to eat beforehand.
One important thing since it seems like you’re bound to wait: if you’re on a time crunch, schedule your appointment as the first one of the morning or the afternoon so you’re the first one in. Otherwise, bring entertainment or sit next to someone talkative.
I don’t mind my new PCP and location, but the wait time can definitely be shortened and the receptionists can be a little more knowledgeable. Or at least acknowledge you when you peer into their cube instead of stare at you before you tell them what you’re there for.

This is my first year taking part in a HMO. In years past I was under a hospital employer’s health plan, so it was pretty solid. After leaving, I basically got the bare minimum just in case, and really didn’t look into the coverages. Luckily, I did not have to use it for the past 2 years. As of 2015, however, my gout has been acting up more and more. I at least once again and informed about what coverages I have and what my co-​pays and deductibles are.
I was assigned Victoria Do as my MD. She is literally less than 5 minutes from my house. I arrived at 10:15 for my 10:30 appointment. The place was packed. But I guess this is what happens when you are in a HMO type plan. It wasn’t chaotic, and I can wait.
Once inside the nurse got my vitals and measurements. Shortly afterwards the doctor arrived and had my diagnosis. She prescribed me some meds and had the nurse come back in to take some blood. I should be getting a call back in a few days as far as the results and coming back next month for my physical.
This location is a fairly large clinic with multiple doctors on site. They have their own X-​ray and a pharmacy just down the same strip center. I was just glad that Victoria listened to my pain instead of just going with whatever she felt like some MDs have done in the past.