Vanguard Medical Group - Verona

Probably not the place you would want to go and here is why.

I went here for the first time to get my annual physical check done. The doctor that examine me weren't all that interested about my health. I feel like they simply just brushed off my concerns and conditions. Aside from the service/physician,there is the bill. I got a bill for blood work, which should be covered under my insurance. However, the doctor requested additional test that was outside of my insurance coverage (Looks like the office didn't bother doing the leg work to see what my insurance actually covers). After calling my insurance, it was concluded that the doctor requested a specific cholesterol test for people over 35 (Which is outside of my coverage because I am not even close to 35). And there I was, sitting in front of the doctor telling him that I always have had healthy cholesterol level and that I am no where near 35 years old.

To sum it up, I would say they are either lazy or lack experience.

Excellent service!

The merge of Towne Medical with other primary care practices forming The Vanguard Medical has resulted in a loss of administrative expertise and physician availability.
Primary care physician availability for a routine physical is now six weeks.
As I have been a patient of Towne Medical for ten years I choose to wait.
From the results of my physical it was determined that I would require a CAT scan.
I scheduled my CAT scan. When I arrived at the radiologist I was told that they had not received the prescription from Vanguard. The administrative person at the radiologist called Vanguard three times the first time was told they had faxed the prescription and when called the second time was told they are shorthanded in the morning and was told the third time they had faxed it.
I had taken time from work for the CAT scan and did not want to lose more time off. I called Vanguard to ask why the prescription had not been faxed. I was spoken to curtly by the desk at Vanguard telling me that it why they didn’t like to fax prescriptions. When I responded equally curt the fax finally was sent. I called two times before I went for my cat scan and was told they would fax the prescription. At any time they could have told me to come in and pick up the prescription but they assured me they would take care of it. A suggestion to Vanguard Medical as they now claim more expertise since the coalition of care providers Vanguard should scan and email referral prescriptions as it would provide more traceability then a fax or tell the patient to come in and pick up the prescription.

I followed my pcp to this practice and couldn't be more satisfied. They have helped me with referrals and refills and always come through when I need to make a last minute appointment. The best part is how the office girls always remember my first name no matter how long its been since my last visit. Oh and all the doctors there are top notch. They always spend time with me and make sure all my questions are answered and leave me feeling genuinely cared for.

The actual medical care is fine, but the admin side is so frustrating that I am seriously considering changing providers. I started seeing this practice because there was a particular doc there I liked and trusted. She moved on and I stayed out of inertia. That was a mistake that I plan to rectify soon.

For example, I telephoned to ask for a prescription refill and was told that I had to see a doctor before I could get a refill. Fair enough. But my symptoms subsided so I never made the appointment. A month later the pharmacy called me to ask was I ever going to pick up my prescription. They sent in the refill order after all -- but neglected to share that info with me.

For another last example, when they asked me if I had an Advanced Medical Directive, I told them I had filed it with them several years ago. They said couldn't find it. That was quite alarming.