On October 5, 2009, my wife saw Dr. Christopher Rall for abdominal pain, weight loss, dry hair/hair loss, bloating, bowel obstruction and very loud bowel sounds. He performed a rushed, very painful endoscopy. He did not look at the medical records including the CT scan or CD we were asked to bring - mumbling something about "not getting them" (duh!). Rall’s solution to her symptoms? “Put corn oil in your hair for the dryness”.

For this sage advice, our insurance was billed $6,531.08 and we were billed $1,575.07. Now, 9 months later we STILL do not have a diagnosis, we STILL do not have a treatment plan. Kathy Rice, Manager of Patient Financial Services lied about the poor service, violated the HIPAA laws and now has the gall to send US to collections. Well, the tables have turned; we are sending HER to collections!

Here is the rundown on how Ms. Rice responds to complaints:

“Ms. X’s concerns have been extensively and thoroughly reviewed”.

Impossible: On February 22, Rice wrote: “Could you please supply me with a copy of the CT scan, MRI Scan, Physician Records, CD, and DVD and our Medical Legal Department will take a look at these?” How is it that the “Medical Review Board” supposedly twice reviewed the case when they just claimed they don’t have the records?

We are still awaiting the replacement costs of the lost medical records.

“…her subsequent provider diagnosed her with irritable bowel syndrome.”

An outright lie; she has never been diagnosed with IBS. In any case, how would The Marshfield Clinic Business Office have gained access to her subsequent medical records without violating the HIPAA laws?

“Ms. XXX had a complete work up for celiac disease and there was no evidence of that diagnosis.” Another lie; Marshfield never recommended or followed through with a gluten-free diet, the only true standard for diagnosis of celiac disease (Google “celiac disease diagnosis – new standard”). She was put on a gluten-free diet at Froedert Hospital (Milwaukee) which resulted in complete elimination of the celiac symptoms. The other symptoms are getting worse.

Again, it is now 9 months later and we still do not have a diagnosis, we still do not have a treatment plan; but we do have a pile of bills!

Avoid them at all costs! We have reported them to the BBB where they maintain a floundering B- rating, the Department of Health and Human Services, Humana, and have started collection proceedings.