Anyone Want to Tell Former Assemblyman Keith Richman, MD that His Lakeside Medical Group Sucks?

I'm not back yet and I don't normally use the power of this great blog to settle personal scores but when it comes to my well being and given my five years of service to Los Angeles I'm going to indulge in a bit of privilege.

And the story has a tangential political angle anyway.

My primary care physician is Lakeside Medical, a very large medical corporation here in Southern California owned by former Republican California State Assemblyman Keith Richman, MD.  Richman, as you may remember would have been the elected Mayor of the San Fernando Valley had the secession movement been succesful at the ballot box.

I am currently in the process of needing two wisdom teeth removed and found a great dentist who is ready to do the procedure.  However, given that my primary care physician prescribed yesterday, knowing full well of my scheduled dental procedure, an antibiotic for another issue, my dentist wants to err on the side of caution and make sure he's okay with the procedure.  She sent over the standard authorization form that she sends to numerous medical offices with no issue.

However, the dunderheads in the offices at both the Van Nuys (where my PCP is currently located) and North Hollywood (where he is moving to) offices of Lakeside could not figure out how to deal with it, have all kinds of excuses about computers not working, they're moving, the doctor is out of town, I need to see another doctor (and hence incur another co-payment and charge to my health insurance company of course), as to why they can not process this form.  Most amazingly, they refused to contact my primary care physician - who is an excellent doctor from my dealings with him - to get his views on the matter.  Having seen me yesterday, being full well aware of my medical history he could easily give the proper instructions.  After several phone calls by my dentist - during one of which the the Lakeside office manager was incredibly rude - and a half hour phone call from me a short while ago, I THINK, they may actually try to reach my physician.  Otherwise I have to take more time off from work and go to yet another appointment so my dentist can what she needs to do.

I would think that Dr. Richman as an alleged Republican would get how silly this type of bureaucracy in the private sector is. If I can't get a simple tooth pulled (which by the way insurance is not covering and I've already paid cash for) because of a bunch of naybobs in North Hollywood, imagine what would happen if some level of government - whether Tony Villar, Obama or Palin (who cares?) - were to take over these decisions.

See I told you it was political.  Stay tuned.