BayCare
Reviews and Complaints

DOS 2/6/2020. BMG acct. Billing received over 1 year from DOS which had been paid by both Medicare and FL Blue. I did not ask for online bills, prefer paper but got this one. Called Baycare customer service 4 times and sent 1 email. I was told the matter would be looked into. I called customer service again in early July and paid my 15.00 copay, which left my balance the FL Blue contractual adjustment. This should have been adjusted off. Lo and behold I got a collection notice for this balance! I called Gulf Coast Collection Bureau and sent proof the balance is an adjustment! I want this account recalled from collections and off my credit report. An apology would be nice as well!

Morton Plant hospital in Clearwater Florida on 7-9-2021 me and my husband took our 5 year old son into the ER we arrived at 3:30pm we waited patiently in the waiting room for 2 hours I then noticed all the people from before us had been taken back and they had skipped over my very Ill son and I went to the check in desk at 6:45 to ask about how much longer until my son would be seen and the woman behind the desk was extremely rude and responded with your son is not a priority to us ma'am you'll have to just wait until your called ... I took very much offense to that statement my son has been throwing up since 9pm on 7-8-2021 he has a very running nose with alot of congestion hes coughing very bad running a fever on and off plus losing his voice I dont understand why my son was not a priority for them. I left Morton Plant hospital after the statement from the women and I'm now taking my son to mease countryside hospital... this hospital needs better structure and training obviously they are a disgrace to Clearwater Florida. My cell phone number is [protected] my name is Samantha Bailey and my son is David Bailey III.

I received a bill on June 24th from an office visit back in March for $142.81. I logged into my insurance portal and seen in fact this bill was paid. Technically this was supposed to be paid 100% because it was a physical but once again they can never code it properly and charged $324 for an office visit. My insurance processed and paid the $142.81 from my HRA account. When I tried to explain this to Christina, she was very rude and wanted to argue and stated that nothing on my account has been paid since 2018. I assured her that I have been to the doctors office numerous times since 2018 and my insurance is still the same. I then explained the negotiated discounts my insurance has with their network and she cut in saying yes and I owe the $142.81. I then firmly stated that I have an HRA account and that the amount was paid from there and she asked if it was for the $142.81 and I said yes and that I have a check number. She then comes back and said that she received the payment and it would be applied to my account. No apology whatsoever for THEIR error. So this money was paid to them 3 months ago and they did not bother to apply it to my account and have the nerve to send me a bill 3 months later and then have the nerve to be rude about it when it was their error. I have had various issues with BayCare for years but I do very much like my family doctor who is unfortunately through them and therefore the only reason I stay, for the time being.

Unethical practice on the BayCare Patient Portal (powered by Phreesia) - Billing Department

While an invoice was being contested, I needed to get in touch with my GP for medical treatment advice and a televisit was planned.
On Wednesday March 24th at 4:30pm during the check-in and online set-up procedure with the PHREESIA portal for this televisit, I was presented with a "pay-now" page for this particular contested invoice, blocking me from further registering for my doctor's visit. This prevented me from
getting medical help that way. (I managed to place a phone call directly into my GP's office, avoiding the portal all together).
This blocking setup on the patient's portal is at least unethical and even borderline illegal since there was no excessive outstanding bill ($32.16) nor was the invoice overdue (first original bill with no reminders).

A complaint to the billing department resulted in numerous emails but no definite answers even after a designed coordinator was assigned. The only worthwhile answer I received was : "For patients, selecting "Pay Cash or Check in Office" allows you to bypass the payment method until a patient is seen in the office"

This - of course - is still very confusing for the patient. There should be a third option listed giving the choice to Skip Payment.
The way it is formulated right now forces the patient to agree paying for something (an invoice) that - to her/his knowledge - is not correct or in dispute.
It is also a screen that will not allow you to proceed to get medical help or advice if you do not select any form of payment.
This is unethical and is not in line with the patient's bill of rights.

Now, 3 months after my initial request, the coordinator claimed that PHREESIA has corrected the issue but was unable (refused) to present me with a screenshot of the check-in procedure showing the updated page.

Unacceptable.

Overcharge, incompetent at audits, and no reasonable path for patients with large hospital bills.

Mr. doctor asked me how I was doing on three past medical issues at my last yearly wellness check. Fine, I answer. Turns out those questions were not covered by a wellness care exam and I was charged $60.

I had a short hospital stay (12 hours) and ended up with a $4k bill. I wanted to see if I could reduce it or pay it off over time. Reduced bill only for people living in extreme poverty. Pay off over time? No. They direct you to a loan agency who will work with you. So they make sure they get their money, and the patient now has interest to pay along with the bill they couldn't afford.

After the hospital stay I called my doctor to see if I needed to followup. Took her two minutes to look at my chart and say no. Baycare charged me $260 for a "complex hospital followup". I requested an audit from Baycare, they told me I'd hear back in 2-3 months. When I didn't hear back I called, they sent my request to the wrong "place" where it sat, ignored, they would redirect it to the doctor's office, it would take another 45 days to hear back. I'm worried it will go to collections, they told me a bill under an audit will not go to collections. 45 days later I get a "final notice". Dated Feb 2, but I get it in the mail on Feb 19. I call back and they say this is a doctor issues, not our issue, we'll send it to the doctor. I call the doctor's office myself and get it fixed that day. (Normally the doctor's office won't deal with billing issues with me, they tell me I have to call Baycare). I pay it online, two days later I get a collections notice. I want to call someone and tell them they messed up but there's no-one to call in this faceless agency except the telephone reps who probably get enough grief.

My mother broke her leg and required a walker and a wheel chair. The original walker had no seat, so we got a doctors order for a walker with a seat. She needs the walker with the seat so she can go with us to a park and walk until she needs to sit down. This is part of her rehabilitation to walk as far as she can then rest. I talked to a Baycare agent on Tuesday 5/19/21, they said I would receive the walker on Thursday 5/21/21. We did not receive the item, I called again I believe Friday and talked to answering service and left message. I did not receive a call back. I called again on Monday with someone saying someone will call me back, no one called me back. I called again today may 26, 2021 and the representative says it will be "dropped shipped" on Friday. This is unacceptable, my mother needed the walker 2 weeks ago. This is not a impulse buy item, this is a medical device she NEEDS. I asked to speak to supervisor and "christy" didn't pickup her phone. Now, once again I am told that someone will call back. We'll 2 other times no one has called back.

My sister, Patricia DeLorenze, client number, [protected], was hospitalized f March 17, 18, and 19, 2021. She has MS and it looked as though she had an episode. 911 was called and she was admitted to Winter Haven Hospital. The communication between the hospital and me was horrible. Not one nurse or doctor contacted me about my sister's actual diagnosis, which was a seizure, first time event for her. Upon discharge, I did curb-side pick-up. The nurse, Alexis, from floor 7, brought my sister to my vehicle. She handed me a Rx, which I brought into hospital pharmacy. I was handed a Rx for my sister. No one, dr., nurse, pharmacist, discussed with me what this new Rx was for nor was I told Patty had a seizure. She was in a brain fog, for example, didn't even know she was at a hospital. She was told the new Rx was anti-anxiety. At least that's what she understand in her fog-brained mind at the time. She took the meds for a few days then decided she didn't like the way they made her feel, so she stopped cold turkey. Yes, suddenly stopped taking this new medication, which in the long run I discovered was anti-seizure medicine. Hence, she had three more seizures and was readmitted to WH Hospital. She fell in her bathroom, bled, and bruised her body. Plus, as a bonus, she drove after being diagnosed with a seizure and put on anti-seizure medicine. It's against the law for she to be driving after that diagnosis. Whose fault would it have been if she caused an accident? I called the hospital the day of discharge to speak with Alexis and was told she would call me back. Today, nineteen days later, she never returned my call. My very strong concerns are why wasn't I ever informed of my sister's new diagnosis, as her health care proxy; who in their right professional mind thought it was ok to discharge she in her fog-brained condition, and finally, why weren't her PCP and her neurologist informed she was hospitalized? It was embarrassing for both of those doctors when I took my sister for follow-up appointments. I can reached at [protected]. My name is Linda Howard. I look forward to a follow-up discussion.

This occurred and still is occurring from August 2019 to present. I am a father that shares a 50/50 custody arrangement for my son. We have recently undergone another custody battle brought on by the mother, which is causing more stress on my son. The mother is very manipulative and lives in the area she had my son switched to, after years of no involvement. She now wants to be involved with court around the corner. We have switched from Baycare NPR (where my son was under a different therapist and psychiatrist (both male) w no issues and mom chose not to be involved) to Baycare Clearwater (due to mom involvement). Mom then requested a switch back to Baycare NPR with her choosing a new therapist (female) and a new psychiatrist (limited availability since mother wanted a 3rd opinion and was a female APRN).
I requested the notes per my lawyer (whose also had issues with Baycare as well) on a couple occasions. They were not happy either time with me requesting notes. Notes from my son's therapist Francine Schultz and psychiatric evaluator Cheryl Pawloski APRN reveal continuous discrimination against me.

Mother is never brought up in therapy notes with Francine, and therapist meets with her for one on one sessions, but not me. My son reveals she talks with mom at every session when he goes with her. A mental health objective is listed for mother, but not father. They seem to be friends, as mother requested her, is never mentioned, and I am put in a negative light. Fran continually discusses me with my son without any mention of mom ever in her notes.

In the notes front desk lies of my actions and fails to mention mother's actions. For example, notes state "father was upset left and was overheard by the front desk staff calling the client's mother and (sic) unkind name"..."told the mother to take him to school he did not have time to do it". This shows complete discrimination, as this is not what occurred, and they are assuming how I felt and have no context for the conversation to put notes about it. I never called my ex an unkind name, and I had asked her in a text a couple days prior if she was transporting my son back to school, as it was her week. She never replied to my message and then demanded I take him to school when I had already made plans to travel in the opposite direction. Staff did not note my ex's actions, nor did they mention previous visits when she aggressively approached my wife in front of the front desk and demanded she tell her what she was writing. On another occasion my ex accused my wife of making faces at her (playing a manipulative victim and acting childish as she gave her mean stares). None of this was mentioned in their notes, only a lie and incorrect truth about me. These notes are according to the ARPN Pawlowski and apparently what she was told by the front desk.

Pawloski showed disgust for me at the beginning and was dismissive of everything I tried to say. She only wanted to listen to the mother and her concerns and seemed to discriminate against me as a father (and of the male sex) and my opinions. She did not like the fact that I questioned everything she had to say, but this is in my nature and me advocating for my son after years of trying to do so, and I feel it is my right to do so. I feel I should not be discriminated against or called "intense" because I am a man and have a naturally loud voice that they want to think is screaming (I believe they are used to soft spoken females and not a loud speaking man). As I work at home, I have daily conversations through the computer that require me to speak loudly for everyone to hear. I am being discriminated against and called intense and/or intimidating for being a large man with a loud voice. Pawloski continues to state I tried to "encourage [her] to prescribe medications" for my son. This is a lie/incorrect truth, and not at all what I did. Per mediation, I wanted a direct verbal answer and noted that this was a treatment option for my son; however, she continually avoided my question by giving an evasive answer. She notes afterward that "I also think that just like they were instructed that he needs to be (sic) family therapy also". Pawloski acknowledges our mediation of needing family therapy (suggested by me during our mediation) but does not acknowledge the mediation of medication being an option.

Since I have been advocating for my son for nearly 7 years now, it has been frustrating dealing with a failed system like BayCare that gives my son a much needed ADHD diagnosis and medication for a year, but then changes their view once the mother involves herself and there is a differing opinion. To be politically correct they choose to ignore past history and my input along with others, and focus only on the mother, as it is an easier choice that does not involve conflict when therapy alone is prescribed. Past history would reveal that my son started out with just therapy. Past history would reveal he had an issue with focusing and completing tasks before my ex and I even split (which they say adjustment disorder is the cause). Past history would reveal he has been in the 50/50 arrangement for 7 years now, and they are acting like it's an all of a sudden change. Past history would reveal his teacher noticing a huge positive change while on medication. Etc., etc. etc. Above statements were never mentioned in any of their notes, which is concerning and another example of how Pawloski was not listening to me.
They input my son's opinions, but don't realize at 13 (and the past several years) he is being manipulated by his mother and bribed with electronics and stuff he wants (as he has revealed to me before in hopes I'd do the same). So instead of realizing and getting to the bottom of the deep-rooted cause, they want to take the easy road and change his diagnosis to suddenly after 7 years it's possible it wasn't ADHD, but now he is having an issue with adjusting. They notate it is stress from parents arguing, but we are only together during these sessions and he has never seen has together outside of this time, so how is it even possible that it could be that? This occurred and still is occurring from August 2019 to present. I am a father that shares a 50/50 custody arrangement for my son. We have recently undergone another custody battle brought on by the mother, which is causing more stress on my son. The mother is very manipulative and lives in the area she had my son switched to, after years of no involvement. She now wants to be involved with court around the corner. We have switched from Baycare NPR (where my son was under a different therapist and psychiatrist (both male) w no issues and mom chose not to be involved) to Baycare Clearwater (due to mom involvement). Mom then requested a switch back to Baycare NPR with her choosing a new therapist (female) and a new psychiatrist (limited availability since mother wanted a 3rd opinion and was a female APRN).
I requested the notes per my lawyer (whose also had issues with Baycare as well) on a couple occasions. They were not happy either time with me requesting notes. Notes from my son's therapist Francine Schultz and psychiatric evaluator Cheryl Pawloski APRN reveal continuous discrimination against me.

Mother is never brought up in therapy notes with Francine, and therapist meets with her for one on one sessions, but not me. My son reveals she talks with mom at every session when he goes with her. A mental health objective is listed for mother, but not father. They seem to be friends, as mother requested her, is never mentioned, and I am put in a negative light. Fran continually discusses me with my son without any mention of mom ever in her notes.

In the notes front desk lies of my actions and fails to mention mother's actions. For example, notes state "father was upset left and was overheard by the front desk staff calling the client's mother and (sic) unkind name"..."told the mother to take him to school he did not have time to do it". This shows complete discrimination, as this is not what occurred, and they are assuming how I felt and have no context for the conversation to put notes about it. I never called my ex an unkind name, and I had asked her in a text a couple days prior if she was transporting my son back to school, as it was her week. She never replied to my message and then demanded I take him to school when I had already made plans to travel in the opposite direction. Staff did not note my ex's actions, nor did they mention previous visits when she aggressively approached my wife in front of the front desk and demanded she tell her what she was writing. On another occasion my ex accused my wife of making faces at her (playing a manipulative victim and acting childish as she gave her mean stares). None of this was mentioned in their notes, only a lie and incorrect truth about me. These notes are according to the ARPN Pawlowski and apparently what she was told by the front desk.

Pawloski showed disgust for me at the beginning and was dismissive of everything I tried to say. She only wanted to listen to the mother and her concerns and seemed to discriminate against me as a father (and of the male sex) and my opinions. She did not like the fact that I questioned everything she had to say, but this is in my nature and me advocating for my son after years of trying to do so, and I feel it is my right to do so. I feel I should not be discriminated against or called "intense" because I am a man and have a naturally loud voice that they want to think is screaming (I believe they are used to soft spoken females and not a loud speaking man). As I work at home, I have daily conversations through the computer that require me to speak loudly for everyone to hear. I am being discriminated against and called intense and/or intimidating for being a large man with a loud voice. Pawloski continues to state I tried to "encourage [her] to prescribe medications" for my son. This is a lie/incorrect truth, and not at all what I did. Per mediation, I wanted a direct verbal answer and noted that this was a treatment option for my son; however, she continually avoided my question by giving an evasive answer. She notes afterward that "I also think that just like they were instructed that he needs to be (sic) family therapy also". Pawloski acknowledges our mediation of needing family therapy (suggested by me during our mediation) but does not acknowledge the mediation of medication being an option.

Since I have been advocating for my son for nearly 7 years now, it has been frustrating dealing with a failed system like BayCare that gives my son a much needed ADHD diagnosis and medication for a year, but then changes their view once the mother involves herself and there is a differing opinion. To be politically correct they choose to ignore past history and my input along with others, and focus only on the mother, as it is an easier choice that does not involve conflict when therapy alone is prescribed. Past history would reveal that my son started out with just therapy. Past history would reveal he had an issue with focusing and completing tasks before my ex and I even split (which they say adjustment disorder is the cause). Past history would reveal he has been in the 50/50 arrangement for 7 years now, and they are acting like it's an all of a sudden change. Past history would reveal his teacher noticing a huge positive change while on medication. Etc., etc. etc. Above statements were never mentioned in any of their notes, which is concerning and another example of how Pawloski was not listening to me.
They input my son's opinions, but don't realize at 13 (and the past several years) he is being manipulated by his mother and bribed with electronics and stuff he wants (as he has revealed to me before in hopes I'd do the same). So instead of realizing and getting to the bottom of the deep-rooted cause, they want to take the easy road and change his diagnosis to suddenly after 7 years it's possible it wasn't ADHD, but now he is having an issue with adjusting. They notate it is stress from parents arguing, but we are only together during these sessions and he has never seen has together outside of this time, so how is it even possible that it could be that?

Dr. Ontiveros Ordered an Xray of my foot to check for damage on Friday the 16th. The Xray was read and uploaded as on 10:27 am that same morning. The Doctors office told me the results were not in nor read nor processed when I called in after being told the result would be in by early afternoon at the latest depending on xray dept. I informed the staff including Jennifer of what I was told as well as that I had verified with XRAy dept(Heather) that is had in fact been read and sent to the Dr. Ontiveros office staff at 10:27 am on 16th. Jennifer refused to allow m to talk to the Doctor nor to even look for the results. She stated that results ALWAYS take at least 48 to 72 hours before they are read. I reminded Jennifer and the staff, that I care for a severely disabled child requiring ICMFR level of care, hence I needed to know the results in order to ensure mine and his health and safety standards were met. Jennifer still refused. This is unacceptable for any staff to behave in such a manner. Furthermore still no call with results at the close of business today the 19th. Jennifer also berated me for not giving my Social security number to office staff saying they were ENTITLED to it for their records, of which is a flat out lie. The Staff needs to be trained or dismissed. I have worked with the Cleveland Clinic and UCLA medical center, I have never seen such a gross lack of performance by clerical staff.

Good Afternoon,
I did Mammo Screen Digital 3D Tomos w/ CAD on 04/17/2019 with Mary Anne in BayCare Imaging Center - Westchase/Hampton Lakes.
I did survey about her on 04/22/2019, but I do not have info from you about my survey-complaint!
I hope you met my complaint and took the appropriate action against Mary Anne. She did my Mammogram and she so tightly pressed my breasts, that I had to screaming of pain to stop pressing.
This happened 5 times because she repeated one picture. After that, my breasts hurt for a whole week. For several years I've been doing this Mammogram, but no one has been so rude.
Тhis lady either has no experience, or is very malicious. Please pay attention to my letter and take the necessary action.
Thank you,

Stanka Bozukova
t.[protected]@abv.bg

I went in to have botox today at my neurologist office I gave the receptionist my insurance card which is Humana but I also have blue cross blue shield I'm just getting on Medicare an trying to understand it. The blue cross is the only one that will pay for botox so another lady comes from the back an calls me up to the desk she says we cant see you today you cant have this procedure done because your insurance says both are the primary i said what do you mean she said we may not get paid so we can't see you. I thought this was very unprofessional for her to say she could have explained it to me an not just said we may not get paid that was so embarrassing because I'm at the front desk and other people are around me she really made me feel low. I understand the doctor as well as the hospital and the staff have to get paid for their services but she just made me feel awful.

On the evening of Nov. 12 2018 as I was putting my husbands Bipap mask on it tore.I called the DME Dept. and explained what happened . I asked if they could bring us a new mask. She said no, they only took care of emeregency situations after hours. I said this is important. She contacted her supervisor, and the answer was she was sorry but they could not deliver a new mask and it would be done in the AM. The next morning I called again and was told that there was a notation of my calling, but there was no scheduled delivery for us. She would send an Email to Ryan in supply, and he would get back to us. I made several calls to the Team my husband was on (77 Baycare Homecare) They said they would look into it and get back to me. (never did) I Called Carrie ( she call every wk from Baycare to check on my husband) she said she would look into it and call me back.(never did) Finally late in the day I again called the DME Dept...again explained our problem. The women I spoke with said it can take two days for a call back regarding supplys...I again explained that it was important that I get this problem resolved...it impacts on his breathing. She said she would send another message indicating it was important. I would hate to see my husband back in the hospital with respiratory failure bfeing now without a mask for two nights. ..Marina Burckhardt Re:William Burckhardt 04/08/1943

Complaint:Food Complaints.Every day supermarkets, shops, markets, restaurants, food shops always raise many food prices and things. Every day many food prices increase and things, they (a) want to steal my money . They always raise many prices of food and things, my father has no money to support me, I have no money to buy food and things and everyone (a) just want to see me and my Dad, we're starving! Complaints: every day, every supermarket, every store, every market, every restaurant, every food store does not lower the price of food and things!

Fraudulent Baycare Health System Dupes 86y/o Lady at Clearwater, Florida Morton Plant Hospital.

Bay Area Emergency Physicians(An Emergency Physician Group contracted by Morton Plant Hospital) Provided a totally inadequate Doctor (Gregory Wayne Smith D.O.) To work in ER/ Stroke Center . He claimed he was board certified, he in fact was not. He did not possess malpractice insurance nor did he post this as required by Florida Law .This 86y/o lady was actually having a stroke when she Arrived in the ER.Morton Plant Hospital ER had the Dr. Gregory Wayne Smith D.O. of Bay Area Emergency Physicians on staff at the time.Moving the patient along and out of here! And getting the bed ready for the next patient, for monetary gain was obviously his goal.

How is it possible for a Patient to go to a Stroke Center while actually having a Stroke, totally misdiagnosed be doped up with Compazine. Then sent home where you live alone to complete your massive Stroke.Unbelievable!

Help Put These Crooks out of Business! If we allow this type of fraudulent medical treatment

To go on, you and I might find ourselves in a similar circumstance.