Center for Joint & Spine Relief

had a groupon for 60 minute massage and exam consult. I kook path train and it was alittle walk. A semi new chiropractor did an exam and consult. He was nice mannered. The massage was very good and I was snoozing after a few minutes because she had a deep and good pressure. I felt relaxed after and it got the kinks out. However I won’t go back. I needed a good effective massage which I got.

Do not treat with Center for Joint and Spine Relief («CJSR»). Thanks to them, I have been dealing with and insurance nightmare for over a month; and it is continuing. This summer my sciatica pain became so severe that needed urgent treatment. Unfortuntely, I went CJSR after work one day because due to their office’s proximity to my home and because I was told they could see me immediately. I filled out the initial paperwork, got an adjustment and was told to come back the next day to «figure out my insurance situation.»
The following is a cautionary tale. I am a 23 year old young professional with less than two years experience having my own health insurance policy. Perhaps the following story will bear out that I was naïve; but I expect medical professionals and their staff to act as professionals. I wasn’t afforded that courtesy and rather, my inexperience with HSAs was exploited.
When I returned the next day, Dr. Petracco offered me the following «arrangement»: he would use all of the money on my HSA bank card to pay for one year’s worth of treatment. It was explained to me that using this card to pay for my treatment would trigger my in-​network deductible. Adriana at the front desk also told me that every visit from there on would count towards my out of network deductible. This seemed important at the time because she also told me CJSR was an out of network provider. Adriana kept telling me this was a «great deal» because I would eclipse both deductibles and be able to see any doctor I wanted for any reason without payment (Sadly, Adriana no longer works at the office). Again, overly trusting, I accepted this deal. I had no idea the time, money and aggravation this fraudulent plan would cost me. Admittedly, I am no insurance expert.
Shortly after completing this horrendous transaction, my insurance benefits provider sent me an email saying I needed to show proof of what the deductible was used for. CJSR sent me an invoice showing the itemized charges for my visits. I thought that solved everything until I went to get a prescription filled one day. Much to my surprise, the pharmacist asked me, «You’re aware this is $ 400 right?» I told her that was impossible because I had met my deductible. She told me that wasn’t the case and that my deductible still needed to be met. Certain that this was all some misunderstanding, I then spent HOURS on the phone with my insurance company, benefits company and (of course) CJSR over the next couple weeks in an effort to rectify this situation.
As if his initial «deal» wasn’t bad enough, Dr. Petracco eventually offered to give me half of my deductible back so that he didn’t end up providing me with free chiropractic care. I was told they processed a return back to my HSA card. Three (3) weeks later — still no money. I now spend hours per day being bounced around between the doctor’s office, their billing agent, and my coverage provider trying to get my money back. Nothing has been, or seems closer to being resolved. Finally, seeing no other recourse, I said I informed CJSR that I would be seeking advice from an attorney as to how best to recover my money. A woman named Vicky who works at this office had the audacity to be aggravated with me. Vicky actually accused me of harassing their office saying I should not keep calling everyday «demanding» information. Wouldn’t that be convenience in an insurance fraud matter if the defrauded party would have the «courtesy» not to ask for any information? Needless to say, asking for information about your own insurance money and treatment history is not harassment. Vicky went as far as to refuse to speak with me until hearing from my lawyer. So the office has now taken money for treatment not provided and refused to speak with me about a remedy to this situation.
Like her predecessor, Vicky told me the doctor would write me a personal check for the balance of money. This seemed incredibly off putting to me. They could not refund my HSA card for an erroneous (I’m being kind) charge, but would write me a check? Sure enough I sought advice and was told by my attorney and by my benefits company NOT to accept a personal check. This would more or less be the equivalent of drawing personal funds against my HSA account and carry tax consequences.
I recently called my insurance provider and laid out everything that had happened (once again). I was told that the arrangement I entered into was against policy and the agency has begun their investigation/​appeal process. Worse yet, I was informed by my insurance company that CJSR is actually IN NETWORK. Thus, I not only was lied to by their office, but the fact that they wiped my in-​network deductible is both wrong and illegal. Unfortunately it seems the mistake of treating with CJSR might lead me to taking legal action.
Do not make the mistake I made. Please find another chiropractor.