Radiology Associates of New Hartford

Re: Complaint ID #***Dear Ms***:On behalf of Radiology Associates of New Hartford, I am responding the patient complaint referenced above. The patient presented at the StLuke's Hospital Emergency Room on March 2, 2015with abdominal painThe patient was examined by a nurse
practitioner, a hospital employee, not a radiologist (or employee) of Radiology AssociatesThe nurse practitioner ordered an abdominal CT scanThe study was then interpreted by a Radiology Associates radiologistThe final imaging report was sent back to the Emergency Room ordering provider (the nurse practitioner), as is customaryThe ordering provider would then review the results with the patient in their care. Radiologists do not meet with ER patients, they provide interpretations of imaging studies to the managing physician or provider who ordered the studyAlthough Radiology Associates hopes and expects the ordering provider would consult with the patient, the patient's complaint that the hospital employee would not give her a diagnosis after the CT scan is not within our control. A full report for the CT scan is available, and I can secure that for the patient if she wishesAs I said above, this report was available and sent to the ER ordering provider before the patient was dischargedThe ordered services were provided in timely fashion, so we could not agree with the patient's contention that Radiology Associates should reimburse her "because we were unable to provide any sort of help to her."Concerning billing practices, the patient is correct that Radiology Associates does not use multiple statementsWe send a statement with the patient's balance, and then after thirty days we send a notice, as the patient reportedIn this case, the patient reported that she received the notice twenty days after the statementThis was not intentional, but I know that this has happened in the past in a few instances. Occasionally patients receive a notice before thirty days has elapsedWe are working with our billing company to remedy this problem.Sincerely,*** ** ***Practice Manager