terrible service at Washington Radiology

[Anonymous]

Just venting about repeated terrible service at Washington Radiology -- difficulty getting records in a timely fashion, failure to send completed exam imaging and report to ordering physician resulting in extensive delays to treatment, missed breast cancer twice (once by mammogram and once by US), no portal so no way to access medical records, and no live humans to speak to.

It's convenient in terms of appointment location, but I'll never go there again. I'd rather use Sibley or Medstar for any radiology.

[Anonymous]

I’m regretting deciding to switch to WRA from GW because my doctor had to send the orders to them 3 times before they claimed to receive them. Then kept telling me the order didn’t include an U/S when I know it did because I had a copy. And every time I called them to straighten things out I had to wait on hold for 30 minutes. It’s so incredibly frustrating. But I left GW for similar shenanigans.

[Anonymous]

Most radiology places are a bit shite, but WR is a whole cesspool.

[Anonymous]

Crap I’ve been going to them for several years now and the missed cancer stuff you’re describing is worrying me. What’s a good one to go to in Moco specifically? Community Radiology?

[Anonymous]

I’ve gone to WRA close to a decade and never had any problems. Maybe it’s the office you go to? I go to the Park Potomac location for mammos and Fernwood for other stuff (obstetric etc).

Although I have to say, the “missing cancer twice (!!!) thing would scare me too. And far more serious than “service”. With all the options in the DC area, I can’t imagine returning to a practice that did that once, let alone twice.

[Anonymous]

Are they known to miss cancer? It’s where I get my breast MRIs.

[Anonymous]

They sent me a bill in full 6 months after I had an ultrasound there. The bill claimed my insurance said I didn't exist. I noticed a typo in my insurance information so I called them twice earlier in the year. I still see no claims from them in my insurance, I've received no more bills either. I dont know the status of my account. Thanks for the reminder that I should probably call them again today before it gets sent to collections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve gone to WRA close to a decade and never had any problems. Maybe it’s the office you go to? I go to the Park Potomac location for mammos and Fernwood for other stuff (obstetric etc).

Although I have to say, the “missing cancer twice (!!!) thing would scare me too. And far more serious than “service”. With all the options in the DC area, I can’t imagine returning to a practice that did that once, let alone twice.

I would never return to them for any breast cancer screening or diagnosis, but I went back for a DEXA so it could be compared to a prior year’s results. Deeply regret using them for anything. I now use Medstar Georgetown or Lafayette Center for all my breast screening, diagnosis and treatment.

[Anonymous]

I've always been really happy with the WRA Park Potomac location. Quick, kind. When I had a scare they handled it really well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always been really happy with the WRA Park Potomac location. Quick, kind. When I had a scare they handled it really well.

+1 but this thread is worrying me a bit.

[Anonymous]

I also go to Park Potomac and have never had any issues. Don’t they send the images out to trained radiologists? Are there some places that do the analysis in house so therefore it’s a higher standard? This thread is worrying me a bit and I have a mammo coming up this month

[Anonymous]

I’ve used the Chevy Chase WRA location for 2 decades now with no problems. mammograms. Follow-up MRI. Ultrasounds for cysts. Dexas. Multiple doctors sending in orders and never a problem with any of them. I do wish they had a portal and hope that they find the money to modernize in that way. I’ve met with their radiologist more than once to go over initially suspicious results. I’m sorry that others have had difficulties with things like billing and insurance, but it’s really wrong to scare thousands of patients over a couple of mishaps likely due to understaffing in support staff.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately from the referring physician end I have seen a decline in quality over the past few years. Some images are taking up to 2 weeks to be read. This suggests that the greatest issue is patient volume far exceeds the number of radiologists available to do the reads. Meanwhile Community Radiology, who I used to consider a tier down in preference, has truly stepped up their game of late.

[Anonymous]

For breast health, I highly recommend Virginia Hospital Center (VHC) women's imaging.

I've used WRA for ultrasounds and dexa scan. Last time I went there for a dexa (a year ago?) I had to wait over an hour. Coincidently, a friend was waiting there at same time for a mammo and she too waited an hour.

[Anonymous]

MedStar Radiology in Chevy Chase, MD, provided smooth service recently for a lumbar MRI. My referring physician also was at MedStar.