Mount Vernon Internal Medicine

I went today for my first visit and was highly disappointed with the outcome and professionalism of the office staff. I have never been to a clinic or doctors office where they make you pay your co-​payment THEN call the insurance company to verify your insurance just because your card looks unfamiliar to them! I was patient at first and considered protocol, however, most places may take about 10 minutes to do so; they took close to 30 minutes actually more than that because the guy was on hold. Then, the office manager had the nerve to say well maybe you can come back later once we get verification. As if I didn’t have other things to do! Even the doctor asked if she could at least get started with the exam while they were waiting for the verification. The office manager said no. Mind you this in front off everyone in the lobby… no, «may you please step aside here Mrs. So and So, so we can personally discuss this matter?» Nope, it was smack in the middle of people signing in. I asked one of the staff members why did they make me pay before verifying my insurance she said, «oh well in case the doctor has to see you right away». What? After I turned down the offer of coming back at a later time today, I immediately requested to be refunded my co/​pay payment and informed them I would be looking into setting an appointment with another practice. After reading these reviews, I’m glad I wasn’t able to be seen.

I scheduled an annual physical at this location, waiting for almost 30 minutes to be seen, and then was told after I was waiting again in the exam room that my insurance didn’t cover annual physicals without some other procedure. My insurance is not uncommon in this area.
I then asked if it would cover TB testing and was told that it wouldn’t (which turned out not to be true). This whole conversation was had with the doctor with the door open so I had no privacy at all.
To add further insult to injury, the medical assistant who took my chart if I was hacking her brains out and wasn’t listening to the answers I was giving to her questions.
Terrible model of care for a doctors office.

They wouldn’t see me because I was 10 minutes late for my appointment. They told me it was because they have a 10 minute grace period and after that they cancel your appointment. I told them I was here within 10 minutes. They told me that the doctor wouldn’t see me because she was still seeing other patients and it was too close to lunch. So if she’s seeing other patients that means she wasn’t ready for me 10 minutes earlier. I’m never coming back here. I would prefer to see a doctor that cares more about my health than she does a sandwich.

I Saw Dr. Born in Alexandria. She didn’t listen. She had a form to fill out and simply wanted «yes» or «no» responses. I presented with dizzy spells she told me I should take something to help me sleep at night. I asked, «don’t you want to look in my ears?» She did and then told me I have allergies. I have never had allergies, nor do I have headaches, congestion or any symptom suggesting I do. She didn’t listen nor did she examine my neck, eyes or throat. I’m not a doctor, but seriously? She did listen to my heart and did an EKG for reasons that remain unclear. I am no better and will seek professional help elsewhere.

While the medical providers are fine, we have had several experiences of extreme unprofessional-​ism and outright incompetence with the office management.

This was my first time visiting this doctors office. It’s the middle of flu season and they were pretty busy. They got me in on time and they were very professional. I had Catherine Diakiwsky, R.N., C.N.P.: and she was very professional and helpful. Very easy to talk to. I would highly recommend this location and Diakiwsky to anyone who is looking for a family care professional in the area.

What can I say that I haven’t said before? I let them know timing would be tight when I booked, they suggested I show up a bit early so I did (15mins). I’ve now been waiting AN HOUR. I’ve asked repeatedly for a progress/​status on the Doc & the «support staff» is extremely rude as others have said. Why do they accept patients who show up 30 – 40 minutes late before others? Who knows! I’m the one waiting & late for other appointments, why are THEY the rude ones?

This is concerning getting medication refilled with MVIM. For two weeks, I’ve attempted to get MVIM to send in a new (refill) prescription for a medication one of their medical professionals prescribed for me. Yet as of this date, no prescription as the pharmacy has not received it. I am out of the meds so my levels will be off when I go in for my check-​up. Think anyone there will be accountable for the failure? I doubt it. Terrible followup and poor customer service.

Lorton office, with a friend to see Dr. Bao G Bo — at the LORTON OFFICE.
WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!
My friend was in serious pain, we explained the symptoms, the length of time with the issue and walked out with a prescription we specifically said wasn’t working and two OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS (Excedrine Migraine & Benadryl) — for severe pain issues, insomnia and there was absolutely NO PHYSICAL EXAM, no blood work!!! Basically lied to our faces about the fact that these medications were over the counter, so Dr. Bo did nothing, absolutely NOTHING to help my friend. The referrals that he gave us for specialist did not take his insurance, they were of ABSOLUTELY no help.
They should spend less money on how the office looks, or their new fangled registration system and more on the quality of doctors they hire.
SKIP THIS PLACE, complete waste of time. OR at the least avoid Dr. Bo, now we know why he was able to get an appointment so quickly.

This isn’t the worst doctor’s office I’ve ever been to, but I wouldn’t continue going to them. To make a very long, boring story short, they seem very disorganized. The doctor who was the main problem for me today apparently doesn’t work there anymore, but I’ve still basically spent the entire day on something that should have taken about 30 minutes. My work is angry with me, and I’ve spent lots of valuable time trying to deal with their mistake, and getting them to answer their phone (they have one line for all of their offices, which makes it nearly impossible to get someone on the phone). Back to the drawing board to find a new doctor.

During my recent physical, the doctor showed no interest in a couple of minor health problems that I had recently been experiencing (I mentioned some problems, she made a few handwritten notes, and asked me no questions nor provided any follow-​up).
I gave the doctor a form that I needed to have faxed to my insurance company in order to avoid an increase in my monthly premium. After two weeks, my insurance company had not received the form. I called the doctor’s office and was informed that the form could not be located. After obtaining and completing a new form, and calling and emailing the office manager several times, I discovered that the form still had not been faxed. However, the office had submitted paperwork to my insurance company so that they would be compensated. The office manager lied to me about having faxed my form, refused to send the signed form to me so that I could submit it myself, and showed no concern regarding my pending premium increase.
Last year, the office staff tried to tell me that they would not tell me the results of my pap smear test over the phone. They said I needed to make an appointment to learn the results. This is clearly unethical – doctors cannot withhold the results of a patient’s tests. When I pointed this out to the office staff member over the phone, she quickly looked up the recent result in my file and let me know that everything tested normal. Good doctor’s offices let you know these results via phone or mail without any prompting or harassment.
This is a poorly run office with disinterested doctors.

I’ve gone to Mt Vernon Internal Medicine a few times before, but today was the last. I called the call-​center before going because I was wondering if I needed an appointment to get a vaccine. After spending 20 minutes on hold, I finally was able to talk to someone. The gentleman on the phone said that he wasn’t sure, but that he’d check with the lab. He came back and told me that all I had to do was go to the office and go directly to the lab. Once I got to the office, they told me that I needed an appointment with a Dr first. They were nice enough to squeeze me in, but never got the message to the Dr. After sitting in the exam room for 45 minutes I finally got up and left. This is not the way to do business! The office has also been under construction for 6 mo-​1 yr and looks very messy.

Mt Vernon Internal Medicine undoubtedly the worst group practice in all of greater Washington, DC ! .(.BAR NONE,). First off the phone service is the worst. Simple prescriptions can never be filled correctly or on time. The staff and management could care less! Worst of all, …they only have ONE PHONE LINE into four offices. The wait will never be less than ten minute to get a live voice. The chief Doctor, Dr. Hararah tells his staff he does not take complaints. The phone «call center» readily admits to a lack of staff and Working phone lines! On one occasion I was on hold at 5pm, and the entire phone system shut down and dropped my call after I had been waiting 20 minutes. No call back, no apology, nada, zip, go to h*ll!
If a member of my family got sick, I would drive to the nearest gas gas station to get help as their response time and concern is greater than Mount Vernon Internal Medicine. This review is after 5 – 10 major bad experiences, …not just one. I have been going there for twenty years working with a great Doctor, Lowen Beale. He has since retired. I should have left then.
Service at McDonalds and Burger King far out surpasses Mount Vernon Internal Medicine! Feel free to call me if you wish a further reference; … Ford L Thompson: 703 323 9148

I have been with this Dr office since I was 10 years old. I am going on 25 yrs old in January and love this practice. Yes there are certain doctors or nurse practitioners I won’t see but if you just find the one you like then you stick with them. I honestly love Lauren Jost, she is a nurse practitioner and takes her time with you. She gets to the point and listens to what you would like or not like done. I recommend this practice to anyone looking. The one in Alexandria, Lorton, and Springfield are all nice locations. Been to all of them so I can speak from experience.

I never felt so much like I was part of a used car sales lot in my life. Caution, BEWARE, they require you to get lab work prior to a physical, not making it clear that it would not be covered. 6 month later you get a bill and you’re asked, «did you read the fine print?» Sure I signed the form but do we really know what these forms mean? They say that you have to get the lab work done before a physical and to show up on such and such a date. After taking a morning off of work, and showing up for the lab work, you get a form and sign. Why would they not tell you prior to going to the lab in a CLEAR way that lab work is not covered. I feel that they were extremely deceptive. Also, they have an automated system that calls you several times over 6-​month periods implying you need to be seen a gain. THe whole feel to me is like a use car lot.
I felt deceived by their practice. They hounded me to get a physical (I am healthy and I had a physical approx. 1 year earlier). When I did, they said that I had to get lab work done that they already knew was not covered by my insurance but did not tell me. Upon taking time off from work and going to the lab, they give you a form, don’t explain it, and then you’re on the hook for $ 300. If I knew in advance of the lab work that it was not covered, I would not have taken any useless tests. In my view, they were deceptive and it simply generated fees. They also have an obnoxious automated call system that hounds you to call them to be seen… ostensibly to generate more fees. I felt like I was in a used car lot talking to salepeople. Also, I hope you don’t plan on seeing a doctor because I never saw one. Also, the office manager was extremely unprofessional. She basically said, «did you read the fine print.» Of course she did not literally say that but the implications of her response was analgous to it.

Been a patient of theirs for 10+ years and am happy with them. The office staff stays pleasant with the multitude of patients flowing through the office. Several times I’ve called for «emergency» appointments and they’ve managed each time to either fit me in that day or early the next. They always call me to the back at the time of my apptl, if not sooner. This is a well-​run medical practice, a rarity in our area.

This practice is still excellent a few months later. It is the only doctor I actually don’t dread going to. The office staff is pleasant (which is a rarity) and the doctors and Nurse Practioners are excellent. I am always able to get in the same day or the morning next day.

I noticed MVIM have other locations, so I want to mention that this review is for the office in Alexandria.
I went today for the first time to get my physical exam and some blood work done. It was great! From the time I went in the staff was nice and cordial. I was called within 10 minutes and they didn’t get my copay before me seeing the doctor. Score! Maybe this is normal, but I am not used to it. (See my review on Dr. Richard Nemeth’s office)
My nurse (or physician assistant?) was Henry. He was fast and attentive. My check up was by Dr. Rachel. She’s super nice, a great listener and very knowledgeable. When I explained all my symptoms, she mentioned a few possible causes but explain how will we discard or treat each one of them.
Now this is a good doctor experience :-)

They have an office manager who treated me real bad and she is still there. I have started going somewhere else, I can’t believe they don’t correct that problem.
Years later I tried them again, big improvement !! They got me right in, the bad office manager is gone! Great service.