My husband was unexpectedly diagnosed with diabetes and admitted to the hospital for stabilization in mid April. After being released from the hospital and returning to work he noticed that his vision was blurry and we suspected that he needed a new prescription. Instead of returning to his optometrist we decided that considering his condition he should see a qualified ophthalmologist. On Monday April 27th he called Associates in Ophthalmology to make an appointment and was pleasantly surprised to find that they had an opening that day - with Dr. Busquets.
After completing his exam and several tests Dr. Busquets informed my husband that his vision was indeed being affected by his fluctuating blood sugar and advised him that he would need a new prescription in four to eight weeks after his blood sugar has been stabilized by his new regimen of diet and insulin injections. He advised my husband that his vision was 20/80 in one eye and 20/100 in the other and that he would not be able to drive until he could be provided a new prescription. My husband drives for a living and informed Dr. Busquets of this. Dr. Busquets confirmed that he understood this and that he would be out for four to eight weeks.
We went home and notified my husbands employer and went through the process of filing for short term disability through a policy that my husband pays for through his job. On Friday, May 1st we learned from his insurance carrier that his claim for disability had been denied because Dr. Busquets office indicated that he could return to work.
Today is Wednesday, May 6th. My husband has so far lost 8 days pay and we have yet to receive a call back to clarify the situation from Dr. Busquet's office despite repeated calls to his office on Friday, Monday, Tuesday and today. Regardless of the diagnosis or whether my husband can in fact report to work or not I find that the total lack of communication to be incredibly unprofessional and frustrating. The Associates in Ophthalmology practice operates in several locations with several seemingly qualified doctors and one would assume a full support staff. That one cannot receive a call back to assist with a question as basic as "Why was my disability claim denied after you told me that I couldn't drive for at least four weeks?" in a (so far) four business day period totally unacceptable.
Did the doctor make a mistake on the paperwork? Did he make a mistake in his original opinion? Did my husband TOTALLY misunderstand the directions he was given by Dr. Busquets? Can he drive? Can't he? Who knows? Dr. Busquets will not return calls. Nor, apparently will he direct any qualified staff to return a call.
In the meantime medical bills and prescription costs are starting to pile up and the insurance that my husband has paid into for years is not providing even the reduced income he would be qualified for had Dr. Busquet simply corrected whichever error has been made - by returning a phone call.
