Piedmont Physicians at Oconee Health Campus - Watkinsville, Georgia

Samantha C.

I needed to establish care with a new doctor and after being double billed by Northeast Georgia, I decided to try Piedmont. With my high-deductible insurance plan, preventive care is covered 100% and the ACA defines that as: "Initial comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management of an individual, including an age and gender-appropriate history, examination, counseling/anticipatory guidance/risk factor reduction interventions, and the ordering of appropriate immunization and laboratory tests."

I spoke with Dr. Madala during my visit and said I would not be comfortable speaking freely about any medical issues if I were going to be billed for anything other than a routine exam and I was assured that that was not a practice that Piedmont engaged in. Before I mentioned shoulder pain, I specifically asked if I was going to be charged additional and the doctor said that I would not be. No exam was done--she just said she could get me a referral for a physical therapy. (And I ended up having to call her office 3 or 4 days later to actually get the referral sent because it wasn't done.)

No new diagnoses were applied. I've been on my medication for many years and no discussion was needed because the dosage is fine and I simply needed authorization for a refill. I even provided my own bloodwork from a few months before. No additional tests or exams were done.

My appointment was at 2pm and didn't start immediately on time. I was leaving the building at 2:26pm according to my phone data so the actual appointment did not even last 20 minutes. If this was a full evaluative appointment it would have lasted much longer than that.

A month later I received a $350 bill (even higher than the double bill at NEG). I submitted an appeal to customer service pointing out that this should be preventive care and was told to talk to my insurance company about my deductible. Completely useless. I reiterated everything stated above and have received no response in eight days. When I sent Dr. Madala a message asking why she gave me wrong information, she was very rude and said that she wouldn't be changing anything in the notes so that my appointment could be re-billed as preventive care.

In no world should a 20-minute appointment cost $350. You aren't that great Piedmont. Even if your offices look nice and bougie, you're still in semi-rural Georgia. And if you employ rude, lying doctors and useless customer service associates, you should spend more money on training your employees and less on your fancy office decorations.

Andrea S.

My name is Andrea Smith. My primary care doctor is at this location. On July 30, 2024, I went to the doctor because I was sick with a cough and congestion. They asked if they could test me for Covid and I said yes. The test came back negative and I left thinking I only owed my co-pay. I received a bill in the mail stating that they charged me $150 for the Covid test that can be purchased at Kroger for only $9.99. My BCBS insurance only allowed $40 towards that test so now I’m responsible for the remaining $110. I work at a nursing home and could actually be tested for free. Had I known that they would charge me that much, I would have declined the test and went and tested myself. This is absolutely absurd and should never happen. I do not blame the physicians at that facility. I blame Piedmont. Since they have taken over this area, Our healthcare system has deteriorated. I pray that things change soon. And the insurance companies ruling over the healthcare industry is ruining everything. When will it stop?

I responded with how you could help me and have heard nothing from your billing department. What exactly do you plan to do?

Sarah K. L.

The doctors and staff here are incredible! They know what they are doing and have the patients' best interest at heart. Shout out to Shandre, the phlebotomist, who took care of me today. She was awesome and took great care of me. 10/10 recommend

P S.

This facility has multiple physicians and specialists/therapists under the Piedmont corporate umbrella. You can't condemn the whole group because of 2 patients who had a poor experience with 2 individuals! I've been very happy with the blood testing personnel, the physical therapy staff and Dr. Young's office work group. I refer friends to this organization because they are good caring people.

Suzy T.

Our internal medicine specialist is Dr. Aliya Safwan and she is absolutely amazing.
Dr. Safwan actually reads all information in my chart and reviews results of all tests which have been completed. She discussed my medical plan for the next year along with the medications I am currently taking. She is extremely knowledgeable of prescription medications and recommended adjustments that I should follow. I highly recommend
Dr. Safwan and give her the highest rating.

Veronica B.

I was in need of a primary care provider to fill an anti anxiety medication for my daughter in transition from her psychiatrist. I contacted piedmont and told they told me that they would be able to help us. So I transferred records and made an appt. a month out to make sure that my daughter would not go without her medication because she gets very sick when she’s not on it on a daily basis. This type of medication should be weened off not just taken off all of a sudden. I had communicated my needs and concerns on more than one occasion. When it came time for her appt they told me that they would not be able to fill it after all. They thought that I said that she has adhd. I never mentioned that at anytime. I would not refer this practice to anyone. They are disorganized, misleading and the staff is incompetent.

John M.

My son needed a COVID test to return to school. We scheduled an appointment for 1pm. Arrived 15 minutes early. Called the number several times and literally no one answered. I had to go up to the door and knock on it while it was ringing to get someone to answer. Then they took him to swab him. After that we were told to stay in the vehicle to see a doctor. It is now almost 2 pm and we have yet to see anyone. We asked what is going on and we’re told it was an hour and half wait to see the doctor. He’s not sick! Why does he have to see the doctor? My guess is that they want more money so they force you to see a doctor so they can charge you the urgent care fee. Ridiculous. Doing this only causes several back up and wait times. They don’t care about the patient.

Kit A. G.

Went in after being referred to a doctor for my mom. Front desk lady was rude and unhelpful towards my mother and gave her no information. If that is who is representing the doctors I have to question their judgment. Not exactly trustworthy behavior.

Samantha C.

I needed to establish care with a new doctor and after being double billed by Northeast Georgia, I decided to try Piedmont. With my high-deductible insurance plan, preventive care is covered 100% and the ACA defines that as: "Initial comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management of an individual, including an age and gender-appropriate history, examination, counseling/anticipatory guidance/risk factor reduction interventions, and the ordering of appropriate immunization and laboratory tests."

I spoke with Dr. Madala during my visit and said I would not be comfortable speaking freely about any medical issues if I were going to be billed for anything other than a routine exam and I was assured that that was not a practice that Piedmont engaged in. Before I mentioned shoulder pain, I specifically asked if I was going to be charged additional and the doctor said that I would not be. No exam was done--she just said she could get me a referral for a physical therapy. (And I ended up having to call her office 3 or 4 days later to actually get the referral sent because it wasn't done.)

No new diagnoses were applied. I've been on my medication for many years and no discussion was needed because the dosage is fine and I simply needed authorization for a refill. I even provided my own bloodwork from a few months before. No additional tests or exams were done.

My appointment was at 2pm and didn't start immediately on time. I was leaving the building at 2:26pm according to my phone data so the actual appointment did not even last 20 minutes. If this was a full evaluative appointment it would have lasted much longer than that.

A month later I received a $350 bill (even higher than the double bill at NEG). I submitted an appeal to customer service pointing out that this should be preventive care and was told to talk to my insurance company about my deductible. Completely useless. I reiterated everything stated above and have received no response in eight days. When I sent Dr. Madala a message asking why she gave me wrong information, she was very rude and said that she wouldn't be changing anything in the notes so that my appointment could be re-billed as preventive care.

In no world should a 20-minute appointment cost $350. You aren't that great Piedmont. Even if your offices look nice and bougie, you're still in semi-rural Georgia. And if you employ rude, lying doctors and useless customer service associates, you should spend more money on training your employees and less on your fancy office decorations.

Andrea S.

My name is Andrea Smith. My primary care doctor is at this location. On July 30, 2024, I went to the doctor because I was sick with a cough and congestion. They asked if they could test me for Covid and I said yes. The test came back negative and I left thinking I only owed my co-pay. I received a bill in the mail stating that they charged me $150 for the Covid test that can be purchased at Kroger for only $9.99. My BCBS insurance only allowed $40 towards that test so now I’m responsible for the remaining $110. I work at a nursing home and could actually be tested for free. Had I known that they would charge me that much, I would have declined the test and went and tested myself. This is absolutely absurd and should never happen. I do not blame the physicians at that facility. I blame Piedmont. Since they have taken over this area, Our healthcare system has deteriorated. I pray that things change soon. And the insurance companies ruling over the healthcare industry is ruining everything. When will it stop?

I responded with how you could help me and have heard nothing from your billing department. What exactly do you plan to do?

Sarah K. L.

The doctors and staff here are incredible! They know what they are doing and have the patients' best interest at heart. Shout out to Shandre, the phlebotomist, who took care of me today. She was awesome and took great care of me. 10/10 recommend

P S.

This facility has multiple physicians and specialists/therapists under the Piedmont corporate umbrella. You can't condemn the whole group because of 2 patients who had a poor experience with 2 individuals! I've been very happy with the blood testing personnel, the physical therapy staff and Dr. Young's office work group. I refer friends to this organization because they are good caring people.

Suzy T.

Our internal medicine specialist is Dr. Aliya Safwan and she is absolutely amazing.
Dr. Safwan actually reads all information in my chart and reviews results of all tests which have been completed. She discussed my medical plan for the next year along with the medications I am currently taking. She is extremely knowledgeable of prescription medications and recommended adjustments that I should follow. I highly recommend
Dr. Safwan and give her the highest rating.