Lori Kaler, MD - Ob/Gyn

Needing a local Ob-Gyn, I made an appointment with Dr. Kaler. Unfortunately I never actually got in to see her. When I got to her office, I started filling out the usual paperwork, and then I got to a bright pink sheet explaining her additional administrative fees—$25 per patient per year, $150 per pregnancy, $15 for the first 0-5 minutes of a phone conversation (with additional costs per minute after that, of course), and undisclosed fees for copying records or filling out anything beyond your basic insurance paperwork—all in addition to your insurance co-pay.

I've never heard of anything like this, and I certainly hope it's not a trend in the medical community. To me, it sounds like a case of a poorly run business. I'm not going to pay a restaurant for taking my order, or pay Target for stocking their shelves, and I've never paid a bank for processing my checks, and unless I get equity in Dr. Kaler's practice, or input on her management decisions, I don't see any reason to pay her operating expenses.

I see now that I've just been lucky with my still-ethical doctors: Physicians Practice on admin fees; Medical Economics on admin fees; WashingtonPost.com on annual fees

Comments

[Angela Lauria]

I hear you on these crazy administrative fees, but I would pay Dr. Kaler's fees twice. Here's the thing.... SHE"S AN AMAZING DOCTOR!!! her staff is ALWAYS nice and friendly. You can actually get an appt. with relative ease. You rarely have to wait in her office even though she is an OB which is unheard of. And Dr. Kaler is smart, compassionate, and totally NOT condescending. If you haven't found a doctor yet, contact me. As a happy patient of Dr Kaler's for... about 7 years I think and one baby, I will happily pay your annual fee. If you like her, you can pay be back, and if not, it will be my treat. Really she is an amazing woman. Seriously, email me at alauriam at aim dot com if you want to take me up on my offer. I'd love for you to meet her.

[drkalerspatient]

I agree with the above comment on Dr. Kaler...She is an amazing doctor. We hesitated about the $150 but it is very well worthed. I would pay $1,500.00 after knowing her and her skills.

There are many doctors who has administrative fees like Dr Kaler..

FYI..

[Cindy Smith]

I agree with the two supporters of Dr. Kaler. My history with her goes back to 1990 when she was with a practice in Southern Maryland. During this time, I had a pregnancy end in a stillbirth. The compassion I receive from Dr. Kaler has been irreplaceable in my life and continues today. During the time before she had her own practice but left the one in So. MD., she allowed me to keep in contact with her and we have become friends. Not personal, everyday friends, but friends none the less.

I looked forward to when she opened her own practice and was one of her first patients. In 1993, after seeing a "quack" for fertility treatment, Dr. Kaler had me use the lowest dose of fertility drugs and two cycles later, I was pregnant. Since she knew my history, she took every precaution necessary. Three weeks before the delivery date, I came down with pre-eclampsia. She had me go straight from her office to the hospital and my daughter was born the next morning. I was very ill and in intensive care for 5 days. Dr. Kaler did not leave the hospital the first two days and was there numerous times until my release.

She continues to be my doctor today and I still live in Southern Maryland. The administrative fees that are listed are because our health insurances have cut doctor's charges so much, they need to do something to keep operating. I will gladly pay the fee every year. The first writer should reconsider.

[Carrie]

Dr. Kaler is worth the money. Almost all my girl friends now go to her and six of the cutiest kids I know have been brought into the world by her. She rocks....

[DBC]

Dr Kaler delivered my second daughter and 6 of my beautiful neices. I know I speak for my sisters as well - Dr Kaler cares about her patients, which is more than I can say for the doctor who delivered my first daughter who didn't even bother to show up for her birth (even though I told him it was important to me that he be there to provide me the security of being cared for by someone who knew me). Dr Kaler would never pull a stunt like that. She sticks with her patients no matter what. Not to mention she is brilliant.

[Carrie Anne]

My sister, my best friends, my cousins and now my mother;s friends daughters are now patients of Dr. Kaler’s. She is amazing, caring, funny and knowledgeable. Maybe you are just young and don't get it: a good doctor is worth some extra cash. If you are that cheep, join Kaiser.

[SMW]

I am also a patient of Dr. Kaler's. I LOVE having her as my doctor! I work in northern Anne Arundel County and work in western Anne Arundel County and drive to Bethesda. I had the opportunity to change to another doctor that was much closer to my house when I thought I might be pregnant. They completely blew me off, so I called Dr. Kaler's office and they had me come in the next day. She and her staff are so kind and supportive. They knew that I worked far away (in addition to being a teacher) and they were so flexible with scheduling my appointments.
Dr. Kaler is low-key and very approachable. I was happy that I had one doctor to see me through the entire pregnancy and she was there when I delivered. She was calming through out my delivery and seriously couldn't ask for a better doctor. I will continue to drive from where ever to have her be my doctor.

[Liz]

I just use Dr. Kaler for my yearly GYN appointments, but I haven't been subject to any of those fees. Maybe they're just for new clients?

To echo the sentiments of the above posters, I too love Dr. Kaler. She's easy to talk to, I never wait more than a few minutes to be seen and she's always efficient and helpful.

[sm]

DR. KALER-- is an EXCEPTIONALLY WELL QUALIFIED - EXPERIENCED DOCTOR with an amazing office staff. In addition, unlike many other doctors, she has a wonderful "bed side manner"
I have been seeing her for almost 20 years, she has delivered 2 children and gotten me through some other medical issues without ever loosing a beat. She is worth every penny of any "fee" added to an office visit.

[Melissa]

At first I was irritated by doctor Kaler's fees. But after searching far and wide in DC for a doctor I feel comfortable with, I am returning to her care. The fees are worth it!

[Ben Dupuy]

Dr. Kaler is a truly wonderful doctr and a wonderful person.

[Michelle]

After two miscarriages (abroad), I was really nervous about this pregnancy. Dr Kaler and her staff have been fantastic throughout the 9 months dealing kindly with my fears and quickly with any issues I had. Doctors like her are unfortunately very rare.

[bernadette]

I have been a loyal patient of Dr. Kaler's for roughly 15 years, and I could not dream of a better physician. She is warm, caring, and you always hear her laughter when she is with patients. Any other patient of hers knows that laugh. Dedicated to the max. She has delivered my 3 daughters and helped support me through two consecutive miscarriages. In fact, I would pay out of pocket if for any reason she was not in my insurance network. She's that great.

[ellen]

I had a very negative experience with Dr. Kaler. I went to her about trying to have a second baby at age 41. She had no sense of urgency, actively discouraged me from seeking fertility treatment, and took months and months to do a few simple tests. She also was always one hour late for appts and the office was disorganized (took weeks if not months to get me test results; lost test results; would call me to reschedule appointments I had already rescheduled). And, most importantly, she dismissed one of my complaints that turned out to be a fertility problem. I do not recommend her.

[lisa]

Dr. Kaler delivered my son last November. I've been her patient for the last 8 years. I LOVE Dr. Kaler. She is a true gem. Throughout my pregnancy - I felt like I had a friend who I could ask all my silly questions and she never was condescending. If you can get in-- she's worth every penny.

[Elene]

I have been a patient of Dr. Kalers for 15 years and think the world of her. She has always been pleasant and so supportive and is now helping me with menopause. Two years ago I moved 90 miles away and still continue to drive to see her for my yearly checkups and any other female problem I may be having. I also cannot say enough about Sharon who has worked with her for many years. She is so nice and helpful.

[ra]

I love Dr. Kaler!! She is wonderful. She spends plenty of time with you and asks questions about your overall life. I feel extremely comfortable with her and wish all my doctors were like her.

[Rachel B]

Pay the fees! Dr. Kaler is the best physician I've gone to. She helped me pin down a rare cancer, and backed me up through finding and scheduling the right radiological and surgical care. You need a smart doctor for the very tough moments, and she's the one. All that, and to be a careful and patient listener, too? Wow.

[cynthia martin]

I agree wtih the positive remarks. She is great!

[Joann Gross]

I have been a patient of Dr. Kaler for over 20 years. I can't imagine seeing another doctor. She's Great!!

[Anonymous Bethesda]

I agree with what the above posters said about Dr. Kaler. She is excellent. I have cancer and have found her a valuable consultant on treatment and side effects. Her grasp of issues beyond OB-gyn is impressive, and I feel like she is very kind to patients.

[Looking for an OB]

Dr. Kaler does not take new OB patients any longer

[ra ra]

Love Dr. Kaler! She spends a lot of time with you during the appointment and asks lots of questions about what's going on in your life. I wish all my doctors were like her.

[Alina]

Until the last few months, I would have had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Kaler - still do, but only about her. Her main receptionist, on the other hand, has been a months-long nightmare for me this past summer. I am trying to have a baby and Dr. Kaler performed a genetic panel on me which she recommended in preparation fro trying to conceive (I am Jewish and she said I needed it). A month later I got the bill for over $1500 (my insurance co. covered $500 for this $2000 test). I never thought it was that pricey or I would have opted out, given that my partner is NOT Jewish and the risk is extremely low. But since then I've heard nothing but excuses, endless delays, etc. in the office dealing with this issue. First, they told me (and by "they" I mean the receptionist) they would rebill it to get it covered (never did as far as I know), then they told me they would call the lab and straighten out and get me my money back (I called the lab and they had no record of any calls from the office). Finally, now I've been waiting almost a month for a letter to be written to my insurance explaining the medical necessity. The receptionist claims Dr. Kaler will do it when she has time. Trouble is, she's lied to me so many times already, I don't even believe she told Dr. Kaler to write the letter. I am at wits end, don't know what to do about this and on top of it I pay the stupid admin. fees that allow this woman to stay employed and treat me like garbage. If I ever get this $ back, I am leaving the office because if, god forbid, I ever have an actual health emergency or something wrong with my future pregnancy, I don't trust her office staff to give me the care I would need. It's a travesty!

[aimee]

I have seen many doctors and Dr. Kaler is the best of them all.