Healthy Steps

Update: Because of my posting, Healthy Steps notified us we were no longer welcome as patients. They said the posting was clear we didn't trust their care. Thing is, I had no problem with the care, just the billing. Not only did they notify me, but they also expelled my husband who wasn't involved. It's apparent if you call them out on fraudulent charges they don't want to deal with you. Would give zero stars if it was an option. They also put the bill into collections with less than 90 days since the service when Ive been in contact with them weekly and am the proactive one trying to get this settled. This is a fraudulent practice and when you even slightly question them they turn spiteful. Run, dont walk to another practice. I'll be filing a complaint with the BBB and United HealthCare.
Oct 20th, 2022

Update: Because of my posting, Healthy Steps notified us we were no longer welcome as patients. They said the posting was clear we didn't trust their care. Thing is, I had no problem with the care, just the billing. Not only did they notify me, but they also expelled my husband who wasn't involved. It's apparent if you call them out on fraudulent charges they don't want to deal with you. Would give zero stars if it was an option.I'll be filing a complaint with the BBB and United HealthCare.
Sep 23rd, 2022

Aug 31st, 2022

There were many red flags I should have recognized from the start, from erroneous labs, to lack of transparency with billing, to negligent communication and lack of responsibility taken.  I really liked Dr. Baksh at first and was feeling very positive, but things quickly went downhill.  Despite my primary concerns being mental health related and GI related, the doctor recommended allergy testing as part of (in her words) "a holistic approach".  I did as she recommended, and when the results came back, she told me they show that I have a peanut allergy.  I have been consuming all things peanuts my entire life and never had a reaction, ever.  Despite explaining this to the doctor, she prescribed me an epi-pen and advised me to start taking allergy medication daily long term.  I thought it was unusual when she asked if I ever noticed chronic congestion or sinus issues and I answered "no", and she stared through me and continued with the allergy recommendations.  For mental health help, she referred me to Mindoula, a virtual-only psychiatric group that works in partnership with Healthy Steps.  This is where things began to break down irreparably.  The first virtual visit I had was with a care manager who told me I have to complete the initial mental health questionnaire so they can pair me with the appropriate mental health providers.  I waited for more than a month before I heard back from them.  The second virtual visit I had was with another care manager, who had me complete the questionnaire again, and told me they were working on finding me a provider and it could take up to 4 weeks.  I waited again.  The third virtual visit I had was, you guessed it... another care manager... etc etc.  Meanwhile, I had been prescribed an anti-depressant by Dr. Baksh.  I had my follow up visit to discuss how the meds are going.  I was then told that they have to work with a psychiatry group in order to prescribe these meds, so I should continue to follow up with Mindoula.  When I did, the care manager at Mindoula asked me what I talked with the doctor about, I told her the above.  She said that it does not sound like we covered Mindoula's recommendations, which Mindoula had sent directly to Healthy Steps ahead of my visit.  I told the Mindoula care manager that I do not know what Mindoula's recommendations were, but I explained the discussion that was had about my medication and care plan.  The Mindoula care manager then made some disparaging comments, along the lines of "providers don't like to follow our recommendations unless the patient asks them", and told me I should have another follow up with Healthy Steps.  She then had me do the questionnaire, and verify my insurance, again.  I called Healthy Steps to ask for clarification, but nobody returned my call.  About 4 days later I tries again.  No response to my phone messages.  On a third try, a receptionist told me to use the myPrivia app to send text messages because this is the best way to communicate.  I did as she suggested, and the PA responded saying  'we did discuss the recommendations', and summarized the discussion in her message.  The point that she was not addressing was that according to Mindoula, this was NOT their recommendation.  However, this crucial part of my communication was repeatedly ignored.  Basically, I was being yanked back and forth between Healthy Steps and Mindoula and no responsibility was taken by either side.  I finally sent a message to Healthy Steps telling them I no longer want to use Mindoula because of this situation.  As a side note, the PA also started responding to old text messages that we had already addressed, which added to the confusion.  Unfortunately I ended up having to cancel a follow up with Healthy Steps around the time I sent the message due to COVID exposure.  About 3 weeks later, Healthy Steps mails me a letter stating that they are terminating our relationship because we cannot agree on quality healthcare.  They got the last part right - we definitely do not agree on the meaning of quality healthcare or partnership.  They also decided to bill me for the visit I canceled, I discovered after receiving the letter.  I canceled that visit with ample notice (days), so this is yet another issue I will have to attempt to take up with them.  To Dr. Baksh and the practice manager, I sincerely hope you will reevaluate your protocols and your standard of care.  This is a serious mishandling of patient care and incredibly irresponsible.  I do also agree with another reviewer's comment that Dr. Baksh is not trauma informed, and the practice is doing a disservice to the community by alienating patients with trauma.
Oct 23rd, 2022

I wasted 3 years with this office being given the runaround, having things not completely, or in a clear straightforward manner explained to me. At my last appointment, it was clear to me that Dr. Baksh had not even fully reviewed my information or health history before the appointment. At that appointment, she was erratic, did not listen to any of my concerns and told me to get a new doctor. After the appointment, she made notes in my chart, but I was unable to even get into the patient portal because (I am assuming) she revoked access to my chart (I am on the phone right now with the portal's technical support who informed me of this action). My access was also interestingly revoked the same day I left a negative google review about the care I received that day. There are many more attentive and informative practitioners in the area. I stayed because of the drawn out and complicated nature of my care. In hindsight I would have left earlier to save myself the time and headache. UPDATE: I was able to get access to my chart after calling Privia Health to reactivate the access to my chart but my sentiments are still the same. Dr. Baksh comes off to me as uninterested, and now vindictive.
Apr 21st, 2022