I called today, after my doctor sent me the Tricare referral. I called (210) 591-1615, and the recorder tells you 3 options: Option 1 Already a patient dial 101; Option 2 New Patients dial 107, any other dial 0.
After dialing 107, I had to wait for a while, until another recorder tells me that there is nobody in desk # 2, and asked you to leave a message. I decided to call in a few minutes. I called like 15 minutes later, went through the same voice recording process and dialed 107, and then the wait, almost 8 to 10 minutes until someone answer the phone with a plain and simple "HELLO". Oh my God! is this a business? Am I calling this people to become their patient? I gave him the benefit of probably getting him out of concentration and asked him if this was a doctor's office, he said yes and asked me what I was calling for. I told him than I need an appointment, he asked me for my insurance; I said military, and he replied - Tricare; I said yes, he told me to wait and I asked his name "STEPHEN". I waited for almost 10 more minutes and decided to hang up and call my doctor to find me another psychiatrist. I did.
After a few minutes of reflection, I remembered that every place has it's rotten apple and decided to call the office manager and explain how easy they lost me as a client. I called back, dialed "0" this time for others, and guess who answered the phone with a "Hello", you are right, Stephen. I asked to talk to the office manager, her name "LAURA", he transferred the call and I was not to surprise when she answer the phone with a "HI". I explained to her that she should be aware of some flaws in her office: Phone system, probably not enough personnel, business etiquette, etc. Instead of saying thank you for bringing that information to her, she became hostile and told me that she was the manager. I asked her if the doctor's which hired her knows that she is not doing a professional job that she was hired for. She tried to change the conversation and I asked to talk to the doctors and she refused. I told her that I was going to write the doctor's a letter and she said that she is the one who opens the letters.
I cannot tell you nothing about Dr. Rodriguez because her staff. I hope someday she will be able to read this and fix her house.

Submitted Oct. 1, 2014