Huntsville Hospital Neurological Associates

I've been seeing Dr. Alapati for at least 6 years now. I have been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation 1 via MRI. I've never found a sustainable plan of action to deal with the symptoms associated with Chiari with him. It initially was surgery, but the neurosurgeon said it wasnt neccessary yet. He then prescribes pain meds, which isnt really a sustainable course of action as well. Im always hesitant to contact his office because it seems like the only plan of action he knows is tests that take months to do, or pain meds. Very frustrating.

Everything was fine until my last visit, Dr A stopped my card/levo cold turkey. I have stopped and tremors have returned

Doctors report to Cigna disability insurance cause me to lose my eligibility for compensation. The report was she is walking fine she is talking fine she can go back to work. My job as computer programmer didn’t require walking and talking skills but rather logic and details. My logic therapist was able to provide a complete evaluation of my stroke damage and my disability insurance was reinstated. I’m 74 had a stroke last October

I was referred to HH Neurological Associates by my doctor for a test that was not urgent but she highly recommended. Our insurance had recently changed to a very high deductible insurance, meaning insurance was not going to cover anything, until we meet our high deductible. So I called the office asking for a quote on the service. They told me they could not give me the cost of the procedure. They told me to call my insurance provider. I did, and they told me they could not give me a cost for the procedure. I called the doctor again to get the exact charge codes for the procedure and the contact for their billing department. I called the billing department and verified the codes. They again stated they could not give me the cost of the procedure I would need to talk to my insurance agency. I told them I had already done so and they referred me back to the doctor. At this point we got in a three way call with the billing office and my insurance representative. We talked for half and hour and they came to the conclusion that the insurance would pay 80% after I reached me deductible. I said, yes, I know! I read the paperwork. I need to know how much this procedure will cost so I can determine if I can afford it or if I need to delay the procedure. I will not meet my deductible this year. The doctors office and billing office again denied being able to give me a cost. This had not stretched over days and hours on the phone. I finally got someone to give me a quote. They did stipulate that it was JUST a quote for $162.00 I said ok. If it was twice that we should be ok. Oh, no. The bill comes back for $816! with an adjustment between the Dr. and the insurance agency (which I knew existed they just wouldn't admit it having) of $485.02. Three times the quote! I wrote informing them that I could not pay that amount at the time because I needed to purchase new glasses for my children for the beginning of school. I sent them the $162 and stated I would get them the rest when I could. I sent a copy of the letter to both the Dr.'s office and the billing office (they are not even in the same building and apparently never talk to each other). I did not hear from them again until I received a letter stating that unless I pay my bill in full in the next ten days my bill will be sent to a collection agency. I received about six e-mails and fancy post cards asking me to take a survey to let them know what they can do to serve me better. When I give them a legitimate concern they don't have the decency to respond with anything but a threat. And, my hands are still numb. Did they give me anything useful for a diagnosis or what to expect in the future? No. Over $500 of nothing but threats. However, the waiting room was clean, the nurses polite.

Do not waste your time or money seeing Dr. Alopati. He has the worst bedside manner of any doctor I have ever witnessed. He isn't able to communicate in English proficiently which means he will not listen to any of your concerns. He doesn't care about you, your wellbeing or your quality of life. I've said it before and I'll say it again with full confidence: put a white coat on a goat and you will by far exceed the level of care. He needs to let his student doctors from UAB teach him how to commiserate effectively before wasting another dime of patients money.