Geisinger Health System
Reviews and Complaints

I have been working with the GMC Specialty Pharmacy since early November in order to secure Humera for my Psoriasis. I used the pharmacy as a liaison between myself and the manufacturing in order to secure some financial help. The usual turnaround time is 48 hours to 5 working days. I received my Humera on January 6th. When I discussed applying with the Specialty Pharmacy, they assured me that they would an aggressive advocate and would stay on top of the issue. The problem arose when it became obvious to me that it was I who had to call the Pharmacy to find out what was going on and even had - at Pharmacies request - that I call the company who was evaluation my request. Not once was a call returned from your Pharmacy when promised and the most appalling situations that arose was that no one in the office knew what the others had done. Not once did anyone read the previous persons notes to find out what had already been done (or I should say, what had not been done). Even the company who evaluates whether to grant financial aid were mystified at their tactics and wondered why I was calling even though they were supposed to be my advocates.
In all honesty, I will not recommend your Specialty Pharmacy to anyone and if I did not have a choice at this moment would gladly transfer to another one. I am a physician and have been in the business for over 40 years and never have I seen a department - especially one that deals in meds that are not only unusual but necessary - that is so disorganized and that lack personnel who care so little about their clients.
I have also been in this game and have dealt with GMC long enough to know that nothing will come of this as your group is a giant megalopolis whose priorities are the bottom line and not those who provide that bottom line and that nothing will come of this. But, I feel better and at my age (75 and still working), that is enough.

We had a appointment with Pre Surgical Visit Education.
You should let people know to come early because of parking. We arrived late because of that.
They almost would not take us because of that.
Your print out should tell people arrive at least 15 min.early.
Also no one told me prior I could not go in.
I will be taken by care of my husband after surgery. They will be sending home the same day. We both have had our booster. I am a nurse.
I think it is important to get the education on the surgery as well
Linda L Brown.

I have multiple issues with this company. When I moved to the area two years ago I asked if there was an endocrinologist that I could see. I was seeing one back home and wanted to keep on the same progress. Well, they sent me to one they have in their office - worthless. She didn't do anything to help me, and when it came to billing, they coded it so I had to pay additional money. It was "self management". I couldn't get them to change my billing code and I never went back. The Endocrinologist (can't remember her name) in Lewistown Geisinger was worthless.
Next, I had gone through SEAP to see a therapist. I had 4 free sessions. I verified with SEAP that Geisinger was covered and part of their program, and WHO in the office was covered. Wrote down all names and even verified this info on the SEAP site. I called the office to schedule with a therapist. Have to get a referral from family doctor, that's fine. Family doctor sent the referral. Got an appointment scheduled. I was not happy again. I was in the waiting room waiting, longer than the whole appointment. My appointment was 13 minutes long, I was waiting over 30 minutes. She asked me 6 questions, said our sessions are 30 minute sessions and said to come back. I never scheduled the follow up. I wasn't thrilled by waiting longer than the appointment it self and the fact that she didn't seem concerned for my issues. She was just moving patience through the door. Fast forward 6, almost 7 months and I get a bill in the mail, for this appointment that I owed a co-pay. Remember, this was a free session, even copay was covered through SEAP. I contacted SEAP who confirmed it was completely free, how many sessions I had left. They review their information, and say that the therapist shows she is covered by SEAP, and on another screen, shows that she is not. Upon further inspection, she WAS covered at the time of my appointment in early March, and left the coverage in July. So late September she sent me a bill for the co-pay. Thankfully SEAP took care of it and sent them a complaint on my behalf because this should have been covered. I saw her early March when she still was a part of the program. She left 4 months later which should not have affected me. I do not remember her name in only seen her once for 15 minutes and I was beyond annoyed.
I've dealt with the family practice doctors office not getting my diabetic supply renewals. Im not sure who's fault that is. I don't understand how the office and the company I ordered my supplies through have communicated, verified fax numbers and they never received it. Who knows.
Most recently, I was told I need to schedule an EMG. I was scheduled but started a new job so I needed to change the appointment. Good luck trying to get Neurophysiology. I called Family Practice in Lewistown. They Transferred me to Radiology (the office that does the EMG) but they had to transfer me to Neurophysiology in Danville. They only complete the EMG, don't schedule for it. Fine. Transferred me to Danville Neurophysiology. I asked to schedule the appt for 2 weeks after the original one. Lady told me they can't see that far ahead (I called on a Thursday to reschedule) and I needed to call back on Monday. I called back on Tuesday, told her the week that would work to reschedule and she says "oh, we are booked. I can schedule you on this date". This date was more than a month after the dates that I requested. So, I said I was told to call back today because you guys couldn't see the week I requested and you're meaning to tell me that in 1 day, you scheduled appointments for over 1 month! She apologized but the person before her must not have realized how to see the schedules. Funny, I wanted to schedule before the end of the year because of my deductible being met but they couldn't get me in till after the new year. Of course not. I mean, more money!
I went to Womens Health in Lewistown this month and got an IUD inserted. Before I got this inserted, I verified if or what the cost would be. I wouldn't have one. Today, I get an explanation of benefits from my insurance company that I may owe more money, shocking (not!)! The bill states that I was seen by the hospital and Maria Smith. I wasn't seen by either. I have a message in to them but I'm sure they will lie to me and tell me some BS excuse why it was billed the way it was.
I wonder how much of their billing is legal. I wonder how much money they scam from their patients and no one questions it.
With this all said, my family Dr, Kim Williams has always been pleasant and she listens to my concerns and always ready to answer my questions. I have no complaints about her personally.
I also have had good experience with my OBGYNs at Womens Health, just not the billing. The OBGYNs I seen have been very thorough and have answered any and all questions, have shown a lot of patience and understanding. The billing though…
Last year, during the surge of COVID, I had appendicitis and was taken to Lewistown Hospital. I was treated kindly and with respect the whole time. The majority of the experience was as pleasant as can be. I was in a lot of pain. I wasn't in good spirits but I tried not to be a grump. My only negative experiences was the COVId test and the fact that I needed to stand up, sit down, lay down, sit up. The nurse said the COVId test was like a bug that flies up your nose and comes back out. Lie! I've never had a bug fly up my nose and touch my brain. I was in pain and that just wasn't helping. But she was nice about it as I was trying to squirm away. And they had me go for a dozen tests, sit here, lay down for them to do an ultra sound, then sit up to move to another room for a CT scan, get out of chair, sit on table, lay down, scoot down, done, sit up, stand up, sit in chair… the constant up and down was super painful but I cannot fault them for any of this.
I just suggest monitoring your billing and some of the services are not helpful at all. That's been the majority of my issues. Make sure to check your billing and statements!

My mother rang her call bell for help it is now 25 minutes with no nurse showing up. She is in rm 641 right across from the station. I can hear everything thats going on. They apparently have a lot of time to [censored]. I have taken pictures of the control that shows the call bell time. This is ridiculous care for someone who is unable to do for themselves.

Sustained a thumb injury on August 29. Laceration healed, but swollen, painful, and very little movement in thumb. Called the Tunkhannock office to make appt with my dr. Never spoke to anyone, went right to hold and the office staff went home without ever taking me off hold. Messaged my Dr, Dr. Sayre that evening about my injury and my frystration at not being able to get in touch with office. The next day I was given a 3:30 appt with a PA. I arrived 10 minutes late due to traffic backup and was told he left for the day and if I wanted to see my Dr, he was booked for the next year. The next available appt with any Dr was 5 days. The pain and swelling continued to worsen, so went to the Nicholson Caresite. Got right in with nurse practioner, received excellent care, treated like a real human, and told me Dr. Sayre sent an urgent request for hand surgeon the day after my message. I have not received an appt with hand surgeon yet, and have been on hold since 11Am today, and its now 1:40. This is totally uncalled for. I have never been put on hold for hours from any office, let alone a Drs office. I'm totally disgusted. I have been with Dr. Sayre for 35 years and cannot get in to see him, and apparently the staff ignores his referals. My request for a refill on my cholesterol meducine has also been denied. When did my medication needs get switched from my Dr to office staff?

My wife Lisa Derck is in room 642 B at Geisinger Danville. Her roommate is an out of control mean cantankerous woman who complains constantly. Makes accusations same people are up to no good. Accused my wife of being up to something because I was visiting her. Complains when the nurses are tending to my wife . Because they won't leave her and tend her instead. My wife is very ill and this woman is making her hospital stay even worse can you please do something to fix this problem.? Thank you.

On 8/24/21 i went to the emergency room of geisinger cmc, scranton, 'pa approximately 10 pm. I had cut my hand on a
broken glass and needed stiches in my little finger on my
right hand. I was bleeding badly as i am on blood thinners.
After registering and seeing the triage nurse i went to the
waiting room. After a little while, i was bleeding on the chair and my purse through the bandage i had put on at home. I went to the desk 3 times and asked if i could have another bandage. I was told a nurse would be told and would come out to the waiting room. That never happened. I also inquired as to when i would see a doctor and a girl named "marsilla" was training another employee and calling patients back. The first time i was told she would have to check with the charge nurse. The second time i was told she did not know. Finally the third time i asked her and she told me whenever everyone else in the waiting room was seen. She was very rude. Finally about 1:30 the triage nurse changed my bandage. I told "marsilla" at 2 am that people that came in after me were being taken back. She replied that some people only need to hear a report. I told her that all i needed was a few stitches in my finger and i was here before other people. Finally i had it and asked her name and had her spell it. I told her to take me off the list that i was leaving and she was going to be reported. No one should be treated the way i was. I was a patient in oct 2020 when i had a widow maker heart attack and was in intensive care for a few days and i had the most wonderful care anyone could have. My nurse was gina her last name started with a c. She was absolutely phenomenal. The nurses were also great when i was trasferred to a room. I also recently completed cardiac therapy and laura and casey were so kind and pleasant. This is the kind of people you want to empl0y. Not rude people like marsilla. I don't want her to lose her job because she probably needs it, however, she needs to be reprimanded so that she learns how to treat patients in the future. By the way, i went to my family dr. The next morning and had to have 7 stiches in my little finger.
Thank you for the great treatment i received on other occasions.
Jo anne zippittelli
email [protected]@gmail.Com

After testing for the issue of vaginal bleeding that has been going on for 2 months, (that is how long it has taken for acquiring an initial appointment and scheduling testing), a second ultra sound done through the emergency room, determined a 11.5 cm fibroid. I have to wait until October 7, 2021 for the earliest surgery time to get in for a D&C, which was diagnosed at our last appointment----I have sent Dr. Favetta 3 messages, dating 8/14/21--8/16/21--8/21/21 requesting an answer as to whether this "new finding" of the fibroid will in fact, be able to be addressed within the surgery I have scheduled for 10/7/21----If the time comes, and he finally realizes the 10/7/21 slot does not accommodate this added finding, how long am I going to have to wait for another surgery schedule time? January? My deductible and "out of pocket" has been met for the year, I should not have to wait and bleed for another 3 months because this was not planned.

6 months ago dr. bormes performed forehead flap surgery on me. i was assured by him and his team not to worry about the outcome of this surgery. i was told when it was over, the scaring would be minimal and only noticeable to people who have known me a long time. nothing could be farther from the truth. i am now facially disfigured to an extent that everyone notices. i am left with a nasty jagged scar that runs from the top of my head into my left eye socket, disfiguring both and since i am bald there's no way of hiding it without a hat or some other covering. but that's not the worst of it. he took a chunk of flesh from my scalp and dumped it on the side of my right nostril. it looks totally unnatural like a large marble and to add insult to injury, there's hair growing out of it. nice touch doc. my default emotional state after this is severe depression. my ins. coverage is medicare with medicaid. i was aware going in that neither pays for cosmetic procedures and by the looks of it he didn't bother to do any, regardless of how that would leave me looking afterward. i am emotionally devastated by all this. i wake up each morning with a deep feeling of dread. this is by far the worst experience of my life. i believe i got the standard of care for poor people. this is disgraceful. i feel i was totally misled about the outcome of this procedure and isn't that grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. i will be contacting a lawyer shortly. ya know, with so much sorrow in the world these days, you would least expect a doctor and medical establishment to add to it. all your promotional b s about being committed to providing real and lasting improvements, to the lives of patients today and in the future went right down the drain with the job dr. bormes did for me. the sad part is the only thing for me now that is real and lasting, is my disfigured forehead, eye socket and nose. shame on you geisinger and dr. bormes. there were procedures available to prevent all this, but since dr. bormes couldn't bill for those procedures he didn't do any regardless of how that was going to make me look. how morally bankrupt is that. i guess it's true, these days in the medical community you're a customer, not a patient. how sad for everyone when the quality of care is tied to what is billable. bernie sanders just picked up another vote. you all ruined my appearance and my life and got paid for it to. wow...i'll be writing letters to the editor to all local newspapers. i feel i owe it to the community, of which poor people like myself are a large part of, to let them know what to expect from your real and lasting improvements. since my coverage doesn't cover cosmetic procedures, revision surgery is out of the question for me. so, i'm screwed i guess. i would appreciate it if this complaint would make it to dr. kauffman.

I checked into the emergency room per instruction from the OBGYN department due to excessive vaginal bleeding. I checked into the emergency room at 12:17 pm on Thursday 8/12/21 and agreed to text messaging updates. At 3:37 pm, I received a text message that my laboratory studies are now available and "your provider will review and will discuss with me ASAP. At 6:30 pm, I could not stand to continue to sit in the lobby, also I had depleted my supply of sanitary pads and the desk clerk stated they only had little ones, which would not cover my issue. I had asked how much longer it would be and they could not tell me. I left the ER. At 8:14 am, the next morning, 8/14/21 I received a text message a room was ready for me. However, in the notes for the encounter, the staff reported that at the time I stated I was leaving, a hallway bed was offered. IT WAS NOT! If that the case, I would have stayed and why did I not receive a text on that? No text that a ROOM WAS READY until 8:14 am the next morning? She is listed in the staff note as Amie S. I have saved these text messages and also have screen shots as proof. 6 hours waiting is totally uncalled for! I never talked or saw one professional other than Triage the entire 6 hours I was there! I then went back to the ER that afternoon of 8/13/21, again I waited 3 hours, and left — just totally ridiculous! Then to lie in reporting that they offered assistance? distrusting! I will be posting my text messages and now this false report on Facebook every day to make all aware of the deceit within the Geisinger system of care!

I have rheumatoid arthritis, severe osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia in need for double knee replacement haven't been able to walk for 13 months the rheumatologist refuses to help me out of pain. The orthopedic will not do surgery till i lose weight. How can i lose weight if i can't walk? I can't get any help and i am in alot of pain no meds... The worst DOCTORS I HAVE EVER MET.. NO CARE AT ALL...

I had my son in geisinger south Wilkes Barre pa location early morning hours of July 3rd with a dislocated knee. Such great staff. Few hours later early morning hours again around 730-8am I myself was taken there by ambulance for kidney stone. I suffer from recurrent stones. The way I was treated by head nurse and er Dr was APPALLING. I am a recovering addict of 4 years. I am on a maintenance program with Suboxone. I'm also a mother of 3 and work full time. Two days prior my father passed away in your hospice unit. I wasn't offered any fluids for having a kidney stone. Also while staff was trying to find a vein as I was severely dehydrated from vomiting, I heard them talking about "what a shame it was for me to have track marks on my arms because I was so pretty" I could not speak or stand up for myself as I was in excruciating pain. The doctor came in and asked me what I wanted and I said can you please get me out of pain but I am on Suboxone I cannot have an opiate. He then said well what else do you expect me to give you? I said can you please give me an anti-inflammatory shot as that's what you usually works for me with kidney stones. He then replied that he didn't know what I expected him to do for me. He then left the room and told the nurse to "straight Cath me" I was still an excruciating pain and was not able to make decisions or stand up for myself my husband was there and spoke up and said we will not be doing that she can get up to go to the bathroom I will help her because no one had asked me if I could get up and go he was just going to give me a straight catheter. The whole time I was there and on the IV he ended up giving me Benadryl I was never offered any IV fluids or fluids in any other way. I'm not a medical professional but every time I've been in the hospital for a kidney stone I have been given fluids I was severely dehydrated which made it a problem for them to get the IV in. They then had to call in the head nurse to put the IV in she started to pump up the bed and I started screaming in agony asking her to please stop she then got very frustrated and said I could not put in your IV at this level and pumped up the bed aggressively probably five or six times while the whole time I screamed asking her to stop. I have never in my life been treated so badly or her medical professionals talk about me while I was laying right there it was the most unprofessional experience of my life. I am four years over and a productive member of society but even if I wasn't I still entered your facility during a medical emergency and should have been treated just like any other patient. I will never enter your facility again for any reason and I feel like your staff needs more training on dealing with people in recovery or addiction.

On June 25, 2021, I had a colonoscopy performed at the Woodbine facility by Dr. Alberto Unzueta, MD. Upon completion of the procedure, Dr. Alberto Unzueta, MD informed me that he had found a cancerous growth in my colon. On his instructions, I scheduled appointments for both MR and CT exams at the Bloomsburg facility on July 7, 2021. As part of these tests I needed blood work done before going for the procedures.
On July 1, 2021 at about 3:30pm I entered the Geisinger Family Practice in Frackville PA to get the scheduled blood work done for my up coming tests and Surgeon appointment July 9, 2021.
When I entered the Frackville facility I was seated at the receptionist's sign in station. I identified myself and explained the reasons for my visit. In a non discreet voice level, the receptionist asked me if I was going to pay anything on an outstanding $700.00 bill, I actually knew nothing about. Taken by surprise by a receptionist who also was apparently cross trained as a Geisinger Billing person; I retrieved a $50.00 bill from my wallet and gave it to her. (Receipt #254784, Guarantor Elmer E. Blackwell #xx4745). As patrons in the waiting area who heard the vocal exchange were watching me, I was then ushered into a cubicle where a very pleasant, professional acting phlebotomist did the blood draws that were scheduled.
In the past few months, I've been seen by various departments at Geisinger Danville. I have had nothing but friendly, competent and professional experiences from everyone I came in contact with. I have also logged various messages with patient care regarding my positive experiences I have experienced. I suppose that it was inevitable, considering the numbers of employees Geisinger employs, that sooner or later I'd have a bad experience with someone.
Due to the fact that the Mahanoy City facility does not currently employ a phlebotomist, I suspect that due to the recent cancer diagnosis I've gotten, I will be needing more lab work performed at the Frackville facility in the near future. I am somewhat apprehensive at frequenting that facility after I file this complaint report. I am of the opinion that the receptionist in question was not acting in her job capacity/description when she embarrassed me on the July 1 visit.

Respectively Yours,
Elmer E. Blackwell
DOB 6-22-56

was scheduled for surgery back in December, 2 days before surgery, surgery cancelled by hospital due to covid many months go by, with no word at all from geisinger, when i finally get through to someone, they dont know who i am and when they view my records im told i need clearance from a cardiac doctor, as there is an abnormal ity with an ekg. while i was waiting patiently, evidently there was an issues of concern since December, i was never contacted nor told to follow up untill i called to try and get surgery scheduled again after the news reports covid restrictions easing, then i wait to see a cardiac doctor. im made to take a stress test. im never told why i even need this stress test. i comply, finally i get clearance for my surgery. i wait a couple weeks and contact plastic surgery. again staff has no clue who i am and after pulling my records says their backed up. staff is rude to me, I HAVE BEEN CLEARED FOR SURGERY OVER A MONTH AGO! NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALL. I AM IN PAIN AND MY DAILY ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED DUE TO PAIN FROM THESE LUMPS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED LAST DEC. I JUST WANT MY SURGERY. IVE WAITED PATIENTLY FOR MANY MANY MONTHS AND HAVE JUMPED THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS THROWN AT ME. I UNDERSTAND COVID HAS CAUSED COMPLICATIONS, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IVE HAD ENOUGH AND NOW AM FILING A GRIEVANCE WITH ANY AND ALL AGENCIES THAT WILL LISTEN. i an john anthony murman jr i can be reached at [protected]

6/14/21: Emailed Dr. in GI dept treating my 82 yr old mother. Received phone call from Dr. confirming what I suspected was a re-occurring infection. She ordered medication.
Medication was denied by insurance, went on to Level 3 appeal- needed Dr. to respond to insurance co.
Sent numerous emails, called GI dept etc. and was told working on it. Then my mother's condition worsened and I asked for Dr. to consult on medication. Turns out her provider was on vacation and had another Dr. covering who was clearly swamped and did not return calls or email for 3 days. On day 3 as patient worsened I call patient advocate and admin. of hospital to get appointment. Was told there were no appointments in GMC system. No emergency appointment! I was told to take her to ER. That is what I was trying to avoid by being proactive. Then I also reached out to her PCP who was also on vacation. LPN wrote message that was less than helpful and eventually did pass case on to NP in office that did successfully order a change in medication. In the mean time I got a reply from GI dr. at GMC covering for the other vacationing dr. and she noted the concerns and went as far to say she did not have record (email or phone note) of my calling. I was amazed that Dr. got so tied up in what was done or not done when it was the patient that needed the help. All phone calls are documented and contact was documented with GI secretary. It ended up that my mom could not be seen by GI at GMC even though she was an ongoing patient.
Took her to Evangelical Hospital and received EXCELLENT care, compassion and follow up.
If I provide all of the email's and phone records for this one incident it would probably overcome your server.

GHP has recently decided that our local primary care physician is no longer in network. This provider is one of the most thorough and effective physicians in our area and truly cares about her patients health. Now her patients who are insured through GHP have to decide whether to compromise their care and gamble on another PCP, who will most likely provide them with lower quality care and poorer outcomes, or pay out of pocket to continue to see this provider until they can change insurance carriers. For the health and well being of our community, I hope they choose the latter as we will be doing.

I was having pain and stiffness in my left hand while doing laundry and was unable to move the hand as it locked up. I was scared that it might be a stroke symptom and called the on-call doctor at Geisinger Internal Medicine in Danville. The on-call doctor asked me to go to the Geisinger Convenient Care center in Selinsgrove -- their new building. I did and was treated like crap by the doctor there, Dr. Sewak. He started asking me "what I was doing in here" and that I had osteoarthritis of the hand which was something I was likely dealing with all along. I tried to explain to him that this was the first time my hand has locked up like this. I told him I thought I has arthritis in the hand but that my PCP in Internal Medicine, Dr. Sapkota told me there was no evidence of arthritis in my hand and refused to send me for testing, even though I believed also that I had arthritis in my hand but as I am not a doctor I couldn't confirm. I was sent to him by the on-call doctor at Geisinger Internal Med in Danville. I then asked about possible hand surgeries and he basically BERATED me as he sat in his chair for asking about it. "Why are harping on hand surgery!" I suggested a hand xray and he scoffed at me but I did get one. I suggested another one on the other hand to update it and said "we don't update xrays because of radiation!" (I later asked ORTHO and they said that was baloney because the amount of radiation used in a hand xray is minimal). I left with a bad experience there feeling like a POS who wasted his time. Even the nurse was cold and brusque. There was NO ONE ELSE in the waiting room! So their behavior was unacceptable and I would have thought they would have been happy to have a customer. The only people who were nice were the x-ray technician and the receptionist. I went to ORTHO as my NEW PCP referred me and low and behold ARTHRITIS OF THE HANDS was diagnosed. Could have saved a HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME if Dr. Sapkota at Geisinger Internal Medicine would have LISTENED to me! He is now fired from my care and so is this crap of a hole, Geisinger Convenient Care unless they get rid of this creepy Sewak!