Beware of Providence Saint John’s Medical Center’s Tower Imaging

On June 28, 2018, I had an appointment (which was made one week in advance) for an MRI of the lumbar in my spine, as ordered by my doctor, Valeri Yarema, who is a board certified neurologist at Saint John’s Medical Center.  I imaging center am referring to is located at 2202 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, CA. They are directly connected to the hospital, and not an independent business without any hospital affiliation. They also happen to be located directly across the street from University Foot & Ankle Institute, who performed the surgery on my broken ankle and tibia bone in my left leg, and ultimately caused the stress fracture in my foot that I walked on for 8 months not knowing that it was broken, resulting in sciatic nerve damage that put me in so much pain for years. 

When I arrived for my appointment, I was handed a notification form saying that there was no guarantee Medicare would find the MRI medically necessary and that the entire claim could be denied, therefore I would be responsible for the entire amount due (which 10 years ago was $550 and today could be upwards of $1,000). I was shocked!  The document they gave me had the statement, “I agree to this MRI” at the top of the page in bold letters, with a box next to it for an estimated cost, which was left blank. The form also stated that Tower Imaging wanted the entire payment up front, upon services rendered, instead of going through the customary billing process first and then collecting whatever balance is due from me (usually several weeks later) after Medicare has paid their portion. Since Dr. Yarema never said anything in advance that the claim could be denied, why did he even order it?  

The receptionist at the imaging center was rather hostile to me when I expressed concern about the strong possibility that Medicare might not cover the cost of the MRI, and therefore, I declined to have it altogether.  At no time in the 10 years I have had Medicare have I ever been presented with a written notification of possible denial of coverage by Medicare, along with a request for payment up front.  Needless to say, I walked out and subsequently left a message with Dr. Yarema that I am no longer his patient.

After the horrible experience I had with UCLA Medical Center (now under criminal Federal investigation for torture and Medicare fraud), and the torture that University Foot and Ankle Institute has caused me (where I have also asked for a federal criminal investigation), I am very careful of any medical treatment that I receive.  

Whistle blowers are supposed to be protected from retaliation, and thus far, there has been no protection, nor has there been protection of my civil rights under the 14^th Amendment.  I guess I’ll have to seek any future medical treatment outside the West-side of Los Angeles for my own personal safety.