1st week of November, I got a bill for $188.44 from Causeway Medical, which confused me because my PCP visits are $1.00, due to my BCBS insurance (which they said they verified), they never mentioned that I would owe anything else. When I got that bill last week, I called right away just to be told that my visit wasn’t covered, and they advised me to call my insurance, I did and they said that a regular PCP visit should only be $1.00. If I owed more than $1.00, I should have been informed from the get-go because I would have gone to a different doctor.
On Friday, November 4th, I received another copy of the bill. Today, Monday, November 7, 2022, I called Causeway Medical about that bill and spoke to Kim, who claimed to be the office manager and refused to let me speak to anyone else (She claimed that she is the office manager and there is nobody else to talk to.) I told her that I have very serious medical issues, to which she laughed. She was nonstop rude. I calmly re-explained the entire issue again, let her know that I spoke with my insurance company. I called Kim back and she yelled goodbye and hung up on me, not even giving me a chance to say bye or ask questions. I wanted her to verify my follow-up appointment date and time, she flat out refused, hanging up on me. I was just trying to get this bill straight. She insisted that Florida Blue was wrong and they didn’t cover my visit. By the end of me trying to clear this up she hung up on me over 25 times and I don’t even know why. She was yelling at me the whole time, while I remained calm because it became VERY apparent something isn’t right. Finally I got her back on the phone and offered to call BCBS with her on a 3way call, so we could all be on the same page and figure this out. Upon calling and entering my info, Kim laughed at me because she thought I owed. Once the BCBS agentanswered and I had her verify that I owe nothing, all paid up. She laughed at me, making fun of me, SIX separate times throughout the conversations. BCBS confirmed to Kim that my pcp visits should only be $1.00. Then the agent said that Causeway Medical processed the claim incorrectly! They billed me for an outpatient procedure (?) (they never did any procedures on me), they billed me per minute of my visit. This makes NO sense!
It turned out that Dr. Mercurio treated me for things he did NOT, as well as saying that HE is now my new GI, psychiatrist and neurologist (to which I got billed for each one! Again, makes NO sense!!) He is NOT ANYTHING other than my PCP. ! BCBS concluded that they should not have entered those codes or billed me for them since it was their errors. BCBS said “They should not have taken the appointment without verifying the insurance coverage.” Lastly, per the paperwork I filled out, and the doctor, we reviewed what my history. He agreed to take me as a patient and asked to see me back in 1 month, which I scheduled as I was leaving.
Kim got ruder and louder and just kept hanging up on me. She refused to confirm my upcoming appt and said that I don’t have a follow-up. She didn’t know I have proof. She YELLED IN THE PHONE that I don't and that he is no longer my doctor! I was in SHOCK. That's illegal. I BEGGED to speak to the doctor or have him call me back, I was hung up on. Kim wanted proof that I had the appt card. I called back to ask where she sent it, Kim wouldn’t even provide me an email address to send it-which was oddly HER request! Upon attempting to email the card to her, per her request, it turns out that Causeway Medical doesn’t have a website or email address! I called back, she responded saying I will never get an apology from her, if I email my proof that I have she would just throw it away and the doctor will never see it, that I will never speak to Dr. Mercurio. She also said that Dr. Mercurio heard every bit of our conversations.(GOOD!) He SHOULD and NEEDS to know how you treat people. She hung up on me, AGAIN.
Once she learned that I have the appointment card and proof that she billed me incorrectly and has been lying to me and my insurance company! I then said, “Kim. Will you please just get on your computer to verify my appointment?” Suddenly since she found out that I have proof and everything I said was factual and the truth, she rudely said the date and time of my follow-up appointment and hung up on me. I had to call back to be sure they straightened out the billing and that upon my return visit and I wouldn’t have to go through ALL of this again.I told Kim refused to apologize for all of the lies, Needless to say, even though myself and BCBS told her that she billed it wrong and tried to help her correct it, she laughed and hung up! The reference number from BCBS provided to me regarding this entire (recorded) incident is #202221350613. The BCBS agents were absolutey blown away by this Kim woman and apologized on her behalf, even though BCBS did nothing wrong, Causeway Medical DID LOTS WRONG!

Submitted Nov. 7, 2022

The doctor is intolerant of his staff trickling downhill into staff sullen patient care. Beware you forget an appointment because you may be barred to return. He once told me swelling in my ankles meant I had "fat ankles" despite weighing 120# and 5'4" tall...

Submitted July 14, 2017

Doctor is a bit short with conversations but staff has made up for this. Always punctual but you need to be prepared with your issues and concerns. I suggest that you make sure that the nurse is aware of all of them.

Submitted Dec. 6, 2016

MIS diagnosed my problem . Very rude. Looking for new doctor.

Submitted Oct. 23, 2014

Staff needs an attitude adjustment. Dr. Mercurio has a horrible bedside manner and gets defensive when you ask questions. I am changing physicians immediately.

Submitted Dec. 10, 2010

I have been to this doctor several times trying to give the staff and doctor the benefit of the doubt, WRONG very nasty attitude, the billing dept is a very nasty person

Submitted Nov. 2, 2010

Submitted July 7, 2008