Dr. Sievers' RHHC Medical Practice - Operations & Website

[AlwaysShocked]

This fee document - with its misspellings, incorrect grammar, incorrect punctuation and poor formatting - tells us a number of things about both the author and the practice itself.

1.) The author is not proficient at creating, formatting, and proofing a document.

2.) The author is not overly educated, as evidenced by spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors throughout the document. The document is in all CAPS.

3.) The author is not aware of his deficits in these areas, else he would have assigned the composition of a most important document - and one that will be added to the company website - to someone more skilled than he.

4.) Others in the practice - including the doctor - do not monitor the website. The document was posted in March 2015.

5.) The author - obviously Mark Siever - does not give himself the honor of using his surname. Within a business setting, especially on documents, people use their full name. While one may go by "Mark the Office Manager" within the office itself, on documents an office manager would/should have their full name listed.


Obviously, by posting this, MS was of the mindset that he could "do it all". But he surely was not doing it very well. Honestly, if I were considering going to this doctor and I encountered this document on their website, it would be extremely off-putting to me. It is just so, so noticeably sloppy.

What we write in our emails or our web postings is one thing. Posting a document to a company website for potential new clients is another.

 

[katsrfun]

Hello, all. This is quite a puzzle, isn't it. I just wanted to note that I worked for a holistic medical doctor in Florida for about 11 years. He sort of unexpectedly decided to move out of the country. About two months before he left his practice, he notified his patients. Someone from his office was put in charge of medical records. Any request that came in was filled the same day; all records were electronic. If the patient picked them up personally, the chart was printed and the patient was given a copy at no charge. If the records were going to another physician, they were sent electronically and the patient notified they were sent, also done the same day, and I might add, both were done at no charge to the patient. I don't believe that LE is holding up the records, because this was cause a problem, as someone also mentioned, and they also couldn't get an appointment with a new physician without the records having already arrived at that physicians office. I also wanted to add that he made a "huge" amount of money on the supplements he sold; the mark up was tremendous. Just some info that I had that I thought I might add to the discussion. Thanks, everyone, for such a good job, and thank you Websleuths, for providing these forums. Katt

 

[NSS]

In the fee schedule the mentions are as follows.

Dr Sievers = 4
Dr = 2
Mark = 6

MS phone number = 3
Office Number - 0

 

[ModMaiden]

You're welcome Chelly. I understand why you got so excited... there's a lot to read about her FEES - - 2 1/2 pages of the 4 page document!
http://www.drteresasievers.com/fees.pdf

The originator of the document lets out a slight revealing moment under Hospitals, in my opinion. I am not referring to the typist though the originator and typist could be the same.

THE OTHER HOSPITALS DO NOT ALWAYS CALL ME BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN ASK THEM TO CALL ME TO OBTAIN RECORDS.

Of course...

It is also the only place any direct reference is being made to the document's author. The whole 4 page document is about WE then suddenly ME then back to WE.

What is also telling under Hospitals is the gentle push given to avoid having Dr. Sievers being involved directly with her patient. Note the first line that I see clearly states she is affiliated with hospitals but don't expect her to come if you are in the ER. She will speak to the ER doctor, which is common if you have an established doctor the ER can contact. Then it reads that in general the ER will call her first before they admit you since she is affiliated with that hospital. So I guess unless I was admitted to her hospitals, she would not be active in my ER care but the office manager (ME) would be available to help.

To sum it up: Unless you go to any other ER hospital that I don't know and they don't know ME, you are taking a risk because she isn't affiliated with them but regardless of the ER you can contact ME.

I found that document so interesting that I just had to F/U with my brilliant observation. The above is my wild imagination at work putting out these opinions.

 

[Matlacha]

. . . What is also telling under Hospitals is the gentle push given to avoid having Dr. Sievers being involved directly with her patient. Note the first line that I see clearly states she is affiliated with hospitals but don't expect her to come if you are in the ER. . . .

I don't know about SW Florida, but up north, where I am in the summer, it is now very unusual for any family doctor to see their patients in the hospital. I think there's only one practice that does so in our town (local hospital has 400+ affiliated doctors). The hospital itself has bought up many of the medical practices in the county, and "gone to war" with some of the speciality practices that have resisted. When you go to the hospital, you are seen by a hospitalist, a doctor specializing in hospital work. In my one night of experience in a Lee County hospital, I was also seen by hospitalists (as well as specialists).

Another factor here is that Dr. Sievers required you to have a family doc, and presumably if there were contact with a hospital, that doctor, rather than the Sievers practice, would be the main point of contact.

 

[Dmacky]

The originator of the document lets out a slight revealing moment under Hospitals, in my opinion. I am not referring to the typist though the originator and typist could be the same.

Of course...

It is also the only place any direct reference is being made to the document's author. The whole 4 page document is about WE then suddenly ME then back to WE.

What is also telling under Hospitals is the gentle push given to avoid having Dr. Sievers being involved directly with her patient. Note the first line that I see clearly states she is affiliated with hospitals but don't expect her to come if you are in the ER. She will speak to the ER doctor, which is common if you have an established doctor the ER can contact. Then it reads that in general the ER will call her first before they admit you since she is affiliated with that hospital. So I guess unless I was admitted to her hospitals, she would not be active in my ER care but the office manager (ME) would be available to help.

To sum it up: Unless you go to any other ER hospital that I don't know and they don't know ME, you are taking a risk because she isn't affiliated with them but regardless of the ER you can contact ME.

I found that document so interesting that I just had to F/U with my brilliant observation. The above is my wild imagination at work putting out these opinions.

Very good observations MM, and thank you for that much needed laugh for today!
I kind of skipped through while reading, when this was first posted. So I actually saw the "F/U" before I realized what ELSE it could possibly mean :lol:
Very unprofessional anyway you look at it. I think it speaks volumes to "MARK THE OFFICE MANAGER" and collector of the FEE'S, true character. ~ MOO

 

[Dmacky]

KL, a mental health counselor in Cape Coral, referred patients who were looking to undergo hormone therapy treatment to Sievers and her husband. SMH

“The two of them together as a team could not have been more wonderful to work with, could not have been more accommodating,” Lowry said. “And the clientele that did see her and him always reported back just how pleasant >> she was and how helpful >> she was.” :thinking: :shutup:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/crime/bonita-springs-homicide-investigation-underway

 

[Riversinthedesert]

"Aside from Wright, there have been a lot of questions about what will happen to Teresa Sievers' practice in Estero.

As Teresa's husband, Mark Sievers, searches for a replacement doctor, patients were able to schedule phone consultations with a doctor in Orlando -- Dr. Sangeeta Pati.

According to Dr. Pati's staff, she is no longer doing those consultations. In fact, we're told she stopped weeks ago.

When we asked why she stopped the consultations, we were told because of "legal concerns."
http://www.abc-7.com/story/30028774/sievers-murder-suspect-person-of-interest-in-another-case

 

[creepingskills]

Here are a few LEGAL CONCERNS:facepalm:

"The Florida Board of Medicine recently adopted a new rule ("Rule") that addresses standards of practice in non- physician owned offices. The Rule states that physicians and physician assistants may neither delegate to others nor reasonably rely upon others to insure compliance with certain clinical and quality responsibilities.
According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician or who does not work in a hospital, ambulatory sur- gery center, nursing home or similar setting must have a physician in charge of the practice who completes a nota- rized statement which must be filed with the Board of Medicine. In this statement, the physician in charge must specifically agree to accept the following responsibilities on behalf of himself or herself and any other licensed physi- cian or physician assistant under the practice setting:

1. Ensure that all staff in the setting are licensed or certified as required by law and that documentation is maintained at the practice setting regarding such licensure or certification;

2. Ensure that any medical services provided by staff at the practice setting are appropriately supervised as required by law;

3. Ensure that the practice setting complies with all the relevant sections of the Florida Statutes, and the relevant rules of the Board of Medicine, including, but not limited to, the rules governing office surgery, medical records, and reporting adverse incidents; and

4. Review all practice billings to ensure that the billings are not fraudulent, including a systematic review of medical servic- es provided, the dates of service, procedure and diagnostic codes, and the name of the provider."
http://www.broadandcassel.com/articles/Lester Perling Board of Medicine 2001 article.pdf

"While Florida does not expressly forbid the "corporate practice of medicine" (physicians working for non-physician-owned entity), there are *numerous* complexities under Florida and Federal law that must be navigated in order to do so legally. Further, Florida law compels an office owned by a non-practitioner to have an appointed "medical director" whose contract must meet state law requirements in order to operate legally. Anyone contemplating such an arrangement should consult with an attorney experienced in these health law issues."http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-non-physician-start-a-clinic-in-the-state-of-2001252.html

"In response to perceived abuses by some nonphysician-owned clinics, specifically in the area of fraud and abuse, the Florida legislature recently enacted a law to require any clinic owned or partially owned by a nonphysician to meet certain requirements (including having a medical director) and to register with the state" http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/res...rate-Practice-of-Dentistry-and-Optometry.html

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

"Aside from Wright, there have been a lot of questions about what will happen to Teresa Sievers' practice in Estero.

As Teresa's husband, Mark Sievers, searches for a replacement doctor, patients were able to schedule phone consultations with a doctor in Orlando -- Dr. Sangeeta Pati.

According to Dr. Pati's staff, she is no longer doing those consultations. In fact, we're told she stopped weeks ago.

When we asked why she stopped the consultations, we were told because of "legal concerns."
http://www.abc-7.com/story/30028774/sievers-murder-suspect-person-of-interest-in-another-case

I think this is really odd. I can't imagine what legal concerns would prevent her from talking to patients. No matter what's going on with the murder and investigation, it really shouldn't impact the patients and their relationship with a subsequent doctor. The only thing I can think of is that maybe she had concerns about the prior course of treatment? Could she have been asked to sign off on prescription renewals that she wasn't comfortable with?

 

[creepingskills]

I think this is really odd. I can't imagine what legal concerns would prevent her from talking to patients. No matter what's going on with the murder and investigation, it really shouldn't impact the patients and their relationship with a subsequent doctor. The only thing I can think of is that maybe she had concerns about the prior course of treatment? Could she have been asked to sign off on prescription renewals that she wasn't comfortable with?

There's probably a legal provision that defines "temporary professional courtesy" time period before the law kicks in and potentially puts the temporary doctor's license on the line for the practice's actions. Malpractice insurer might have let Dr. Preeta know about legal concerns. I'm sure patients could switch completely to Dr. Preeta, in Orlando.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

Here are a few LEGAL CONCERNS:facepalm:

"The Florida Board of Medicine recently adopted a new rule ("Rule") that addresses standards of practice in non- physician owned offices. The Rule states that physicians and physician assistants may neither delegate to others nor reasonably rely upon others to insure compliance with certain clinical and quality responsibilities.
According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician or who does not work in a hospital, ambulatory sur- gery center, nursing home or similar setting must have a physician in charge of the practice who completes a nota- rized statement which must be filed with the Board of Medicine. In this statement, the physician in charge must specifically agree to accept the following responsibilities on behalf of himself or herself and any other licensed physi- cian or physician assistant under the practice setting:

1. Ensure that all staff in the setting are licensed or certified as required by law and that documentation is maintained at the practice setting regarding such licensure or certification;

2. Ensure that any medical services provided by staff at the practice setting are appropriately supervised as required by law;

3. Ensure that the practice setting complies with all the relevant sections of the Florida Statutes, and the relevant rules of the Board of Medicine, including, but not limited to, the rules governing office surgery, medical records, and reporting adverse incidents; and

4. Review all practice billings to ensure that the billings are not fraudulent, including a systematic review of medical servic- es provided, the dates of service, procedure and diagnostic codes, and the name of the provider."
http://www.broadandcassel.com/articles/Lester Perling Board of Medicine 2001 article.pdf

"While Florida does not expressly forbid the "corporate practice of medicine" (physicians working for non-physician-owned entity), there are *numerous* complexities under Florida and Federal law that must be navigated in order to do so legally. Further, Florida law compels an office owned by a non-practitioner to have an appointed "medical director" whose contract must meet state law requirements in order to operate legally. Anyone contemplating such an arrangement should consult with an attorney experienced in these health law issues."http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-non-physician-start-a-clinic-in-the-state-of-2001252.html

"In response to perceived abuses by some nonphysician-owned clinics, specifically in the area of fraud and abuse, the Florida legislature recently enacted a law to require any clinic owned or partially owned by a nonphysician to meet certain requirements (including having a medical director) and to register with the state" http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/res...rate-Practice-of-Dentistry-and-Optometry.html

But this shouldn't apply to a physician who has her own practice and patients are just being referred to... unless I'm reading it totally wrong. This would apply to a new doctor employed directly by MS.

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

There's probably a legal provision that defines "temporary professional courtesy" time period before the law kicks in and potentially puts the temporary doctor's license on the line for the practice's actions. Malpractice insurer might have let Dr. Preeta know about legal concerns. I'm sure patients could switch completely to Dr. Preeta, in Orlando.

Thanks. I suppose it depends on how MS made the arrangement with her, maybe he did hire her directly to respond to patients. That would make sense!

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

 

[SeesSeas]

Here are a few LEGAL CONCERNS:facepalm:

"The Florida Board of Medicine recently adopted a new rule ("Rule") that addresses standards of practice in non- physician owned offices. The Rule states that physicians and physician assistants may neither delegate to others nor reasonably rely upon others to insure compliance with certain clinical and quality responsibilities.
According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician or who does not work in a hospital, ambulatory sur- gery center, nursing home or similar setting must have a physician in charge of the practice who completes a nota- rized statement which must be filed with the Board of Medicine. In this statement, the physician in charge must specifically agree to accept the following responsibilities on behalf of himself or herself and any other licensed physi- cian or physician assistant under the practice setting:

1. Ensure that all staff in the setting are licensed or certified as required by law and that documentation is maintained at the practice setting regarding such licensure or certification;

2. Ensure that any medical services provided by staff at the practice setting are appropriately supervised as required by law;

3. Ensure that the practice setting complies with all the relevant sections of the Florida Statutes, and the relevant rules of the Board of Medicine, including, but not limited to, the rules governing office surgery, medical records, and reporting adverse incidents; and

4. Review all practice billings to ensure that the billings are not fraudulent, including a systematic review of medical servic- es provided, the dates of service, procedure and diagnostic codes, and the name of the provider."
http://www.broadandcassel.com/articles/Lester Perling Board of Medicine 2001 article.pdf

"While Florida does not expressly forbid the "corporate practice of medicine" (physicians working for non-physician-owned entity), there are *numerous* complexities under Florida and Federal law that must be navigated in order to do so legally. Further, Florida law compels an office owned by a non-practitioner to have an appointed "medical director" whose contract must meet state law requirements in order to operate legally. Anyone contemplating such an arrangement should consult with an attorney experienced in these health law issues."http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-non-physician-start-a-clinic-in-the-state-of-2001252.html

"In response to perceived abuses by some nonphysician-owned clinics, specifically in the area of fraud and abuse, the Florida legislature recently enacted a law to require any clinic owned or partially owned by a nonphysician to meet certain requirements (including having a medical director) and to register with the state" http://www.thehealthlawfirm.com/res...rate-Practice-of-Dentistry-and-Optometry.html

Re: According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician. . .

But it appears the Orlando actively licensed Florida physician Pati owns her own practice. So how would this rule apply to the current circumstance?

 

[creepingskills]

But this shouldn't apply to a physician who has her own practice and patients are just being referred to... unless I'm reading it totally wrong. This would apply to a new doctor employed directly by MS.

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

IMO specifically, the "courtesy" role of Dr. Preeta was to sign off on preexisting prescriptions, temporarily see emergency patients, a doctor to call. Probably visited the clinic 1x/week. The state likely allows this to exist temporarily before the doctor risks his/her license; otherwise it would be impossible to find temporary doctors to fill in; risking liability. Technically, Dr. Preeta would be 'directly employed' by MS (the non-doctor owned practice) because he would be paying her for her time, I'd imagine. The whole point of a sub DR. is to not disrupt the patient's routine, and I'd assume that includes payment, fees.

I wonder if those patients who bought yearly "packages" for future use will get a refund since the company is obviously still operating.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

Re: According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician. . .

But it appears the Orlando actively licensed Florida physician Pati owns her own practice. So how would this rule apply to the current circumstance?

We don't know if it does, but it's possible MS made an arrangement to pay her $x/call to respond to patients. That would make her an employee of his practice and thus covered under the rule, or at least a subcontractor, which may also be covered depending on how it defines "work for".

The more I think about it, the more likely I think it is, that it was a paid arrangement rather than a referral or professional courtesy. That way, MS is more likely to keep control of the patient. With a referral, he loses the patient.

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

IMO specifically, the "courtesy" role of Dr. Preeta was to sign off on preexisting prescriptions, temporarily see emergency patients, a doctor to call. Probably visited the clinic 1x/week. The state likely allows this to exist temporarily before the doctor risks his/her license; otherwise it would be impossible to find temporary doctors to fill in; risking liability. Technically, Dr. Preeta would be 'directly employed' by MS (the non-doctor owned practice) because he would be paying her for her time, I'd imagine. The whole point of a sub DR. is to not disrupt the patient's routine, and I'd assume that includes payment, fees.

I wonder if those who patients who bought yearly "packages" for future use will get a refund since the company is obviously still operating.

Thanks for explaining it so well!

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

 

[creepingskills]

Re: According to the Rule, any licensed physician or physician assistant who works in a practice that is not owned and under the control of an actively licensed Florida physician. . .

But it appears the Orlando actively licensed Florida physician Pati owns her own practice. So how would this rule apply to the current circumstance?

Because Pati would be practicing in a non-physician owned practice (not her own), one that is not in compliance, without a 'medical director'. I'm sure Pati wouldn't take on that liability. The arrangement of TS former patients seeing Pati, paying MS like always, and MS paying Pati, would make Pati a de facto 'medical' director' if she continued this after the temporary period. She's rendering services on behalf of TS practice, not her practice.

 

[SeesSeas]

Because Pati would be practicing in a non-physician owned practice (not her own), one that is not in compliance, without a 'medical director'. I'm sure Pati wouldn't take on that liability. The arrangement of TS former patients seeing Pati, paying MS like always, and MS paying Pati, would make Pati a de facto 'medical' director' if she continued this after the temporary period. She's rendering services on behalf of TS practice, not her practice.

Oh - that's not the way I read the news article. To me, "phone consultations" means that the Orlando doctor would bill the patient directly for the consultation. It would be her billable patient fee.

http://www.abc-7.com/story/30028774/sievers-murder-suspect-person-of-interest-in-another-case
As Teresa's husband, Mark Sievers, searches for a replacement doctor, patients were able to schedule phone consultations with a doctor in Orlando -- Dr. Sangeeta Pati.
According to Dr. Pati's staff, she is no longer doing those consultations. In fact, we're told she stopped weeks ago.
When we asked why she stopped the consultations, we were told because of "legal concerns."

 

[Riversinthedesert]

IMO specifically, the "courtesy" role of Dr. Preeta was to sign off on preexisting prescriptions, temporarily see emergency patients, a doctor to call. Probably visited the clinic 1x/week. The state likely allows this to exist temporarily before the doctor risks his/her license; otherwise it would be impossible to find temporary doctors to fill in; risking liability. Technically, Dr. Preeta would be 'directly employed' by MS (the non-doctor owned practice) because he would be paying her for her time, I'd imagine. The whole point of a sub DR. is to not disrupt the patient's routine, and I'd assume that includes payment, fees.

I wonder if those patients who bought yearly "packages" for future use will get a refund since the company is obviously still operating.

creepingskills I believe it has been reported the office has been closed for some time now so don't think anyone is getting paid.