One word: unethical.
In a post-pandemic world, this really surprises me. I never write reviews, but I feel this has to be said and potential patients need to know.
I have seen Dr. Timothy Shea as a cash-pay patient since January of this year. I realize that Dr. Shea is not able to provide a discounted rate because he accepts insurance types of all kinds and it would be unethical to provide care at varying costs. I have had 7 visits with Dr. Shea with short-term benefits, thus prompting Dr. Shea to order an MRI for my foot. Upon returning the MRI disc to Dr. Shea's office, I was told that I would need to schedule a follow up appt to discuss the findings. I asked that since no clinical care would be provided that day and since only discussion of test results were to take place if I could opt for a telephone appointment instead of an in-person appointment, with the goal of saving all parties their time, energy, appt availability for other patients and financial cost on my part. I was firmly told that Dr. Shea did not offer such telephone or virtual appointments and that I would need to come and pay cash for my visit. When I pressed into why I would need to pay the full rate for the follow up visit considering that the treatment was not going to include any modalities, gait analysis, or treatment of any kind, I was informed that there was a base rate for every visit, despite the limited service that I was to expect, and that with additional treatment interventions the cost would go upward. I further asked why a conversation about test results warranted an in-person visit, particularly in a post-pandemic world where most every other medical office has opted for telephone and virtual visits when possible and I was told that Dr. Shea only operates one way and that I would need to come in.
I feel the treatment of asking for the payment similar to prior appointments when the services rendered did not warrant the full scope of follow up care previously delivered is unethical. I also feel that withholding test results from a patient until they pay for an in-person appt is also unethical.
Beware potential patients. He will milk your insurance/payment for all it's worth.
