Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I am currently with Preferred Women's Health and I have been experiencing issues with the staff in the office - not the dr's per say (they are wonderful so far) and I am getting myself all worked up over it...

I have been going to the Great Neck office for the most part and the staff there is less than stellar. I am SHOCKED that there is only 1 dr in the office at a time when there are 6 dr's in the practice. I assume 1 dr is in Woodbury and 1 in Great Neck but the other 4 are all at the hospital? I have been there for about 4 appts so far (the most recent with my 4yo with me) and had to wait 45 minutes only to basically be rushed out when it was my turn. I understand the unforseen emergencies involved with OB care but I think the 1 dr at a time thing is deliberate and planned b/c when I make future appts the receptionist always tells me what dr is going to be in on the day I am requesting an appt and it is always only 1 name. I chose the practice partially b/c there were a lot of dr's and felt that they would spend more time with their patients b/c they wouldn't be so overscheduled. Dr Marchbein actually said to me on Wednesday "I'm not an ER - I don't understand all these emergencies" -- I understand the emergencies but I was rather shocked by that...even if said in a joking way. He would rather send everyone to L&D with an issue?

On another note I have been having a billing issue with them (we have Aetna) and they are attempting to charge me co-pays for my OB visits. I called Aetna while sitting in their waiting room the other day and Aetna said this is INCORRECT and if they have issues they should contact them directly. I have left 3 MESSAGES for the office manager (Andrea) since Wednesday and nothing.

I am currently 16 wks and potentially a high-risk patient (I had very bad gest diabetes with ds). If I am going to switch I have to decide NOW before my next appt but not sure if this warrants switching. The care has been fine, not exceptional or anything, just fine.

UGH - what would you do? Sorry for being so long winded....

I have heard wonderful things about Jessica Jacob (a solo practice). Any feedback on her is also appreciated...

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I am with preferred womens health. Prior to them I was with another practice that was HORRID!!

I have complained to Dr. Bergman (and the office manager) multiple times about their staff. You are right - they aren't great (and they are worse in GN then woodbury).

BUT - I have to tell you...I learned my lesson with my old practice. I learned that you see the dr's not the staff. I learned that when you have an appt. that sometimes you will wait - it's how they treat you when it's an emergency that matters.

I had multiple emergencies with this practice and a prior pregnancy. I was brand new with the practice, they barely knew me...and the care I got from them was above and beyond the call of duty. Dr. Marchbein can sometimes have problems editing himself - but when I needed him he was there - he pretty much saved my life. He was nothing but kind and attentive to me and my family throughout the whole ordeal.

Dr. Bergman can be quirky - but when I was sitting in his waiting room and he saw me crying because I was bleeding and in fear that I was losing another baby he swooped me into his office to see me asap.

Dr. Oppenheim has called ME at 10:30 at night just to make sure things were ok after another pregnancy problem I had (after she looked for me in the ER!!).

THOSE are the things that matter...so I look past the staff and some of the small things there because I know when I really need them - they will be there (which is WAY more than I can say for my last practice!).

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

Thank you so much for the pep talk - your experiences with the practice really do help to put things in perspective. DH asked me how i felt about the "care" i had received from the dr's so far and I said it was fine, nothing above and beyond but thank goodness I haven't had anything major.

I hate being in a position where I have to make a decision before my next appt due to the timing of things...

Thank you again!

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I would switch. They sound very unattentive.

I used Dr. Jacob and I loved her! She is great, I don't think you'd have any problems with her.

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I'm 26 weeks and I have had nothing but great things to say about any of the doctors in that practice. Sorry you are going through that! I found the receptionists at the woodbury office to be a little snotty when you call, but I've experienced that at many Dr's offices. The woman up front are great though!

The only time I had to wait was my last visit (in Woodbury) and that was because there was an emergency with another pregnant patient. For that you really cannot say much. I went in for an emergency visit at 11 weeks..the office was PACKED and they did not even make me sit. They took me right away. I know friends who used them and loved them. They cater to pregnant woman, which I love. If you don't feel comfortable look around for another doctor. You're the one that has to feel comfortable through all this! Good luck!

Message edited 7/25/2009 11:06:58 AM.

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I've been thinking of switching to this practice. A friend of mine had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Bergman. How are the hours in GN and/or Woodbury? Late afternoon? Saturdays?
Thanks.

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I've had two very complicated pregnancies and this practice has been AMAZING.

the staff does stink - if you call it takes 5 -10 minutes before you can even get someone on the phone and there is usually a wait of 20-45 minutes. I find that if I have an appt with dr. marchbein it is usually close to 45 minutes because he talks SOOOOO MUCH!!!! he's a nice man and a good dr, however.

I primarily use dr. bergman and dr oppenheim. I've had several bleeding incidents and they have always fit me into the schedule and been very compassionate. One time Dr. Morris-Rush called me at 9 pm to check on me after I'd called the emergency number.

I would reconsider leaving the practice but definitely mention your dissatisfaction with the staff at your next appt.

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I am also w/ Dr. Bergman's practice and I have had nothing but great things to say about the doctor's. I have also been to other OB's and TBH, I think waiting in the waiting room is just part of being a patient sometimes (not just w/ OB's but w/ any doctor for that matter). I agree that it's the doctor's you see, not the receptionists. I use the Woodbury office mostly and have not had any bad experiences w/ them at all...not even w/ billing. They have been very attentive w/ me (and my sister who also goes there) and have taken all of my concerns very seriously...including seeing me at the drop of a hat when I was having pain.

Also, to give you some perspective, those doctors are thought of very highly by their peers. I was at NSUH Manhasset a couple of weeks ago because there was a possibility that my cervix was "soft". They did a thorough job, but said that they would check 2x because "Dr. Bergman is Dr. Bergman and if he felt something, then there is something worth examining". The high regard the hospital puts these doctors is very impressive to me. Some of the doctors have their "quirks", but they are straight to the point and they take every case very seriously. I would not be traveling over an hour to deliver my son if it was not for these doctors.

Personally I would not change doctors, especially if you are high risk. When you are in the delivery room, you are there w/ the doctor, not the receptionist.

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

Ladies - Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the practice. I really am trying to work things out with them from a business stand-point as the dr's are great so far and I know they are very highly respected at NSUH.

Will keep you updated - hopefully tomorrow is a better day!

Re: Patients of Dr Bergman - pref women's health - I have a question...

I am also a patient of Dr. Bergman/ Dr. Oppenheim ! I like them both. I've had a pretty good pregnancy but the one emergency appt I had, Dr. Oppenheim was there and squeezed me in and put me on the contraction machine to monitor. There was no delay when I got there. I also had a mini-hemmorroid issue over 4th of July weekend and was able to get Dr. Oppenheim on call, she provided my pharmacy with a prescription within 30 minutes. So overall I've had great exp!!! My husband loves Dr. Bergman and I truly have no complaints.

The staff is what it is... but they are not delivering DC