iOrtho - The Orthopedic Institute

With all due respect, the 1-star review is on you and these are the reasons why: The rules for delivering medical services for NYPD employees injured in the line of duty (workers compensation claims) require that all medical services be authorized prior to delivery. The authorization needs to state specifically the medical service and provider that is authorized to treat. You were indicated for an 'injection' procedure that is commonly performed in the office with NO anesthesia required. However, you apparently insist on having this 'injection' performed in an ambulatory surgery center so that you can be 'anesthetized'. There is NO medical necessity for this and is an unusual request. Nevertheless, the physician was still willing to accommodate the request. However, the authorization would additionally require that the ambulatory facility where the procedure would be performed and the doctor providing anesthesia also be listed by the NYPD on the authorization. According the scheduling nurse, not only did you refuse to provide her with the authorization for the procedure/provider, you got extremely upset when you were told that to get anesthesia for an injection you would need to have another authorization for what would be considered an additional service provided by an additional specialty and also additional facility. Therefore, the complexity for having this common procedure done is of your own making. We have interviewed all the staff regarding this complaint and we believe that our staff have all performed appropriately. Additionally, we do not have any 'teenagers' working at the office and everyone is dressed in uniform with name badges. We do not discriminate based on ethnicity or on cultural beliefs and/or expression to the extent that it does not negatively impact their ability to perform their job. We overall find your behavior unacceptable and will be sending you a notice of discharge from the practice. IOrtho Administration

It is our understanding that when you first presented to our office, you had already completed 5 months of conservative care/physical therapy with continued pain following a work-related accident. Dr Husain went over the MRI results of your spine which showed significant pathology and also an examination which correlated findings. Dr Husain recommended treatment with epidural injections as a next step approach to managing your ongoing symptoms given the failure of conservative measures. Epidural injections are a very common ‘next step’ procedure following 5 months of failed conservative management with PT and ongoing symptoms and this recommendation is considered appropriate under the circumstances of your case. We do not see any recommendation for surgery or a referral to a spine surgeon for surgical consultation. Also, Dr Husain does not perform spine surgery. The recommendation for spinal epidural injection was declined and you chose to continue with more physical therapy for which a prescription was provided. The doctors at our practice are reimbursed only for the clinical services they provide and therefore have no financial interest or receive any other benefit from the clinical services of other doctors or the outcome of your case. Also, the doctors at the practice routinely participate for workers compensation depositions when properly requested and scheduled.- iOrtho Administration