Dr. Alan M Gardner, MD

This office just doesn't realize how much they screwed me over. Ok, at my last appt I was told my "VA authorization" nee...ds to be extended and to find out what needed to be done. I had been authorized 999 appointments, but the time frame needed to be expanded. So I did.

When I called to let them know what they needed to do, the person on the phone seemed annoyed at my call after she received my answer to why I needed to talk to billing. I explained the above and then said I wanted to let billing know what I was told by the VA. Not interested in what I wanted to say, she matter of factly said: "she works with the VA and knows what to do." I tried to add I was told to not let the original approval expire. She said everything would be taken care of. She knows what she's doing.

Now, this efficient office (yeah right - check this out), at 3 pm the DAY BEFORE my appt, I get this call saying they had not been able to extend the VA (maybe if they had done what I was told THEY had to do, which she wouldn't let me tell her? The VA said the DOCTOR had to do- but hey, his employees KNOW IT ALL, right?) and were canceling my appointment basically minutes before my appt!

Veterans know it often takes longer than an hour just to talk to someone, let alone find the person to talk to handle any situation other than a basic appointment. Even then that can take half a day or longer in Georgia! Doctor Gardners office REALLY SCREWED ME!

Had they informed me of this difficulty instead of waiting minutes before my appointment, perhaps doing what I was told they should do would have taken care of the situation? If not, I had an appt with Atlanta VA Derm, which the VA doctor had set just in case of problems with being outsourced so I would be kept to a schedule, that I canceled (was Jan 13) because I was assured: "she knows what she's doing!"

Appointments with the VA are like pulling teeth, I can expect to wait 6 months or close to it for a derm appoint in Atlanta in order to be outsourced AGAIN and to wait who knows how long AGAIN because once a civilian doctor lets the original authorization expire, EVERYTHING HAS TO START ALL OVER AGAIN! Everything! All because "she knows what she's doing!"

When you've had as many issues with cancer that I have and I never was a sun worshiper or never used a tanning bed, just a lot of military duty in the sun, I need a regular review more often than most, which is one of the reasons for being outsourced. Because "she knows what she's doing!" I will probably not be reviewed for well over six months, (not including time to this point) nor have the abnormal spot on my back removed (for which the appointment was canceled) now for probably close to a year based on Georgia VA system But, hey "she knows what she's doing!"

These people have to listen to their patients when patients try to explain things to them. The VA does not work like any normal business. You often cannot talk to anyone who knows what's going on in the VA when you need to get something done in less than 6 months. VA patients can't extend things, can't change authorizations. Doctors MUST do those things!

So do I recommend this place? Not only NO, but Hell NO! Because "she knows what she's doing" has put my health in jeopardy and I can't do a damn thing about it, except do the ole VA hope you die before we see you waiting game. more details