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Community Corner

WestMed Group

WESTMED, Feel like a number. Like so many so called Westmed “valued” patients, I was notified in a form letter informing me of Westmed’s intention to charge their patients to park while receiving medical services at the White Plains office. Perhaps Westmed Corporate is confused, this is not the Westchester Mall. Westmed parking is required parking, specifically dedicated to the Westmed medical services use. Parking actually represents the cost of doing business and does not in any way actually improve the care provided to patients/customers.To charge patients to park and then to charge them for the services for which Westmed also charges is the epitome of corporate greed especially where patients have no choice to avoid the cost of parking to get their care. This is what the business of health care has come to at Westmed. Westmed has become the 800lb health care gorilla, the General Motors of health care and we all have observed what has happened to GM over the years. What’s next Westmed, a landscaping and/or snow plowing surcharge on patients bills? An admission charge at the facility entrance or to use the facility’s toilets? Unfortunately for us patients, Westmed is about corporate greed under the auspices providing better patient care which is why your provider is instructed to “turnover” patient visits in 7-8 minutes from the time they enter the exam room. Just like a Maître d’ at a restaurant who pushes to turn over the tables to get more customers served. Corporate greed is what directs your provider to resist patients’ request for referrals outside of the Wesmed Group. Corporate greed is what motivates Westmed to “ outsource” patients’ Client Relations. Not only is it not located off-site in Westchester or even located in New York state where the medical services patients pay for are provided. Westmeds client relations are located over 700 miles away in Charlotte, North Carolina. Don’t be fooled by Westmed’s intent to deceive patients by using a (914) area code and stationary with a Purchase address. If you are fortunate enough to speak with someone,the person you speak with about your problem is sitting at a desk,5 states away in North Carolina. Westmeds patient client relations in N.Carolina for services provided in Westchester would seemingly be a contradiction of terms to any rational person. Westmed corporate might as well outsource it to India. Corporate Greed + Medical Care=Westmed. Patients don’t become a number on a spread sheet, exercise your options for health care elsewhere. Does anyone remember when doctors made house calls?

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