Apollo Hospital

We went for a brain MRI six days ago (Wed.) and were first told the report would likely be faxed to our doctor the next day. Then that estimate was revised to likely be two days instead, to be safe. We worried and waited until late Friday afternoon to hear from our doctor, but he never got the report, so we waited and worried through the weekend. We thought we would hear Monday. Still, no report. Called the imaging center and were told there was some problem with their «system», so they were backlogged. We worried another night and day and called again in mid afternoon today, Tuesday. This time we were told that a radiologist had the MRI file checked out to read the images. I asked if it would get faxed today and was assured it would. We called again at 4:30. This time the main hospital number was not answered after ten rings. Hung up and tried again five minutes later. Same result. Five minutes after that the phone was answered just before the fifth ring. We were then transferred to the imaging center and were told that the report had been faxed to the doctor’s office at 3:45. So now we are sitting here anxiously awaiting the results from the doctor. I am keeping busy writing this review. It is now 5:15.
All the employees we have dealt with or spoken to at Apollo have been pleasant and as helpful as I think they were able to be. But whatever their «system» might be, it seems a severely dysfunctional one.
The CD we were given that contained the Images turned out not to be playable in ANY of our three Apple home computers, or in any of our three DVD players or Blueray players with our TV’s, as the disk is in an unusual format. When we asked if they could send us a disk in a format we could play, they said this is just how they come down and that’s how it is.
To top it all off, their one vending machine had a sign on it saying «OUT OF ORDER». When I asked if there was anywhere else to get a snack, I was told no. In my previous experience, ALL hospitals have had vending machine rooms at least, if not a cafeteria.
Very frustrating experience. And still we wait.

I do not typically write reviews however, I feel obligated to inform people of what happened to me so they do not fall victim to the same situation. The staff at Apollo is very friendly and I have no concerns in that area. However, like many Americans in this day and time, I live on a very strict budget and have to really plan out extra expenses. Before deciding on even getting the testing recommended by my doctor, I called several facilities gave all my insurance information and specifically asked for estimates on what my part of the bill would be for the tests I was needed to get done. I asked abut copays, my part on the percentages etc. Apollo ensured me twice of what my part would be and I saved some money and scheduled the tests. I really tried to cover all the bases knowing my financial situation. I also am fully aware it is an estimate yet I never expected the estimate to be $ 844.46 off! Now, 6 months later I get a bill and I’m told by Apollo Hospital how sorry they are and the staff should not have ensured an amount prior to the tests, but I’m still responsible for the extra $ 844.46. After some homework I’ve discovered this happens a lot! I really feel taken advantage of and defeated at this point. So, please be aware this is a major issue and do not fall victim!!!