09/14/09

Looking for an impatient, brush-you-off kind of doctor?

by GCHutch

When I was pregnant (a little over a year ago) I had my thyroid levels come back slightly "off" during a routine screening at my OB. My OB sent me to Dr. Scumpia for further testing. The woman at the lobby desk was not very friendly- so I was not impressed from the beginning. Then the nurse took me back to a room- and did the preliminary questions and all, and she was friendly enough. I then waited for about 25 minutes in the room, I told myself it was worth it, because I was seeing a thyroid SPECIALIST, who would hopefully give me some answers. Wrong. Dr. Scumpia finally comes in- is NOT friendly at all, and already seems like she wants me out of her hair. She asks me a couple questions that the nurse had already asked- and then completely dismissed EVERY concern I had! She told me that thyroid levels often change slightly, due to the hormones produced during pregnancy- and that it was nothing to worry about. She wasn't even going to do lab work...until I told her I really would like to get another lab done, because I have a family history of thyroid issues- and have had problems with suspected hypoglycemia all my life. Then she hesitantly agreed to run a test, but made sure to tell me again that she "wasn't worried at all about the results." So, that was it- and she sent me to the lab. The woman in the lab was equally cold and after making no conversation with me, I checked out and left.

The other thing that was really unprofessional, was that I never even received my lab RESULTS! I had totally forgotten about it, but I don't think it should be my job to call them and ask for my results.

After my child was born, I was never able to breastfeed adequately, and after doing extensive research on my own- I have found that thyroid problems can cause inadequate milk supply....ugh. Yeah, "nothing to be concerned about"....needless to say, I am now in the process of finding a GOOD endocrinologist.

• Pros: The nurse was friendly enough
• Cons: Dr. Scumpia

07/22/09

Finally had enough

by labrat

Family has beeen going to office for three years. Our primary care doctor warned us against this office but we did not listen. Have only seen the doctor twice, but we were fine with this because the PAs were thorough. However, in the last year several things have caused us to change doctors: (1) charges for emergency medical exam (this was for a reg office visit and only saw the PA - however ins was charged $415 for emerg visit??) (2) pressure by staff for scheduling an ultracound that primary care physician and ourselves felt was unnecessary - felt it was just another method to bill ins co; (3) they will not give you normal lab results that have been paid for by co-pay and ins company. Wanted info for my primary care doctor appt and for my records; however, could only get results if I made another appt. ($$) Supposedly, if you do not hear from them, we're suppose to assume that everything is OK. The last time I followed this premise in a different office, I found out 6 months later at my followup that I had cancer. We finally decided that we had enough....

• Pros: Initially doctor was very knowledgeable
• Cons: rude office staff; rarely see doctor

07/17/09

Wish I Would've Seen This 4 Years Ago!

by lewissh3

If I could give this place negative stars I would, I have been coming here for about 4 yrs now and I've probably seen Dr. Scumpia for about 5 min at the most! During the most recent 60 sec encounter I had just had my baby and was supposed to meet with a nutritionist during the visit. Instead in rushes Scumpia who babbled on about no longer having a nutritionist, that I should go on the South Beach Diet and the -poof- she was gone again before I could even say a word! Now I'm out of Synthroid and they denied my prescription refill request. No doubt because they haven't gotten any $$$ from me in the past 6 mons. The drive is too long and the service is poor so I won't be going back....ever. My advice to those needing an Endocrinologist is to keep looking!

• Pros: nothing comes to mind
• Cons: lack of physician oversight, customer service

03/15/09

Just a number and dollar to her

by vdw

In three yrs only seen Dr 2 times she was cold and very rude thinks she Gods gift to the world more like a dog

Her PA is more like a Dr they never address my diabetes always wants to do a scan or test so she can charge the insurance company a bigf bill. Only fills one prescription at a time so you have to see her every month. Not impressed with thu Dr from hell you will feel like you are in a german prison camp and she is your Hitler!

Run like hell away from her office go to a Dr that cares for your needs she will screw you up!!!!!

• Pros: bad doctor
• Cons: none

01/28/09

Confused... haven't even had my first appointment yet.

by fatdogdesigner

I got a little annoyed when I called to make my appointment that I had to hold for so long before the receptionist even answered. When she did answer, it was, "Please hold." Again! Of course, I optimistically deduced the office must be really busy and maybe from high demand. Now, I have stumbled on here and am not looking forward to yet another frightening experience with a doctor. I'm particularly nervous with this specialty as I know very little.

So, for those of you who have written your reviews... what other doctors have you seen in the area? And, do you recommend ANY Endocrinologists?

• Pros: She's a specialist, not an ENT.
• Cons: Close to my home

01/27/09

IS THERE REALLY A DR.SCUMPIA?

by dp3059

I have been going to this office for years for my thyroid,I would not recommend this Dr. to anyone! You never get to see the Dr. in the first place.I have been complainning that I dont feel good.STILL DONT FEEL GOOD!Thay keep telling me everything is ok! I will not be going back

• Pros: Nice office!
• Cons: never see the Dr.thay don listen to how you feel!!!

10/25/08

This can't be the best thyroid center in town

by drea123

I have been going to this place for about 4 years. In that time, the service has gone from good to horrible. Yesterday I was charged 118$ copay at the desk and I have insurance. I then had a PA who refused (this is the second time this has happened) to humor my interest in switching to Armour Thyroid. She ordered a series of labs, but didn't order a T3 test, despite my telling her that I have never been relieved of my hypothyroid symptoms in the 12 years I've been taking synthroid. I was told "Scumpia will not prescribe armour to patients" I haven't seen Scumpia in about a year, and the wait is ridiculous. Anybody who knows of a good dr that will prescribe Armour in Austin, please email me. I am completely done with Austin Thyroid and Endocrinology.

09/17/08

Overwhelmed Staff/Practice

by aimster77

My primary doctor referred me to Blevins, but they couldn't fit me in for 6 weeks so I settled on Dr. Scumpia. I was very impressed with the facility and waiting room and the fact that they had an ultrasonographer and lab on site. Dr. Scumpia took one look at my ultrasound results and said that she was fairly certain I had thyroid cancer. It was a pretty cold diagnosis, but I am not overly sensitive person so it didnt bother me too much. She did not want to corroborate the ultrasound results with a needle biopsy instead she pushed for me to have my thyroid out as soon as possible. I got my thyroid removed two weeks later. I ended up having two surgeries with the surgeon she recommended, before I got smart and went to MD Anderson. The final straw that sent me to MD Anderson was related to her staff. They did not communicate effectively with each other and failed to communicate to me that Dr. Scumpia cancelled a procedure that required me to go on a low-iodine diet. I was on a low iodine diet which is a super restrictive diet that is a huge pain in the butt for two weeks. When I showed up for the procedure, it had been cancelled and they were not apologetic.

I highly suggest that you go to MD Anderson if you have thyroid cancer. Its a world of difference.

08/20/08

Get a second opinion !

by TrudyHorridge

I had a total thyroidectomy on Dr. Scumpia's recommendation. I was told I had cancer and the only remedy was the surgery. Well after the surgery(which was done by the most wonderful doctor, Dr Jeff Zapalac ) Dr. Scumpia said basically oops we made a mistake, you did not have cancer. No type of apology, no empathy, just matter of factly.

So for the rest of my life I have to take thyroid medicine and deal with all of the side issues of not having a thyroid. I did return 2 times to her office after the final diagnosis. The first time back they had lost my lab results, the second time she was too busy chewing out her receptionist ( in front of everbody) to have time for me. She did agree to me taking Armour thyroid which has made my life a lot better. I will not return to her again.

My advice is get a second opinion before you do anything as drastic as I had done.

• Pros: Nice waiting room.
• Cons: Not into her patients and their needs.

07/30/08

Did you and I go to the same Dr's office??

by sumitradevi

I've been to Dr Scumpia's office a few times now and have not experienced any of the kinds of things described in these reviews. Nor have I witnessed any hint of such things in the office. I have met with the Dr herself each time and have been pleased with the interactions.

Now, she's not a saccharine-sweet Southern lady, and she doesn't make small talk or pretend to be your friend. Dr Scumpia is Eastern European, as some reviewers have pointed out, so there are some cultural differences, and this may be difficult for people who believe their way of behaving is the only correct way of behaving. She is reasonably pleasant (we even talked about her unique childhood) and quite professional. Dr Scumpia has answered every question I have asked to my satisfaction. I have not felt rushed at all, and she has even re-answered my questions so that I can take good notes on her answers. (But then again, I'm first-born, and so I believe the world exists for me ;-) And she is proud of her record of fighting insurance companies to get them to pay for patients' care.

Part of getting the care you need is expecting it. If you expect to be mistreated by specialist doctors, then mistreatment is probably what you'll get. You may also face some resistance if you bring in lots of myth-based material from the web and insist that you know more than the doctor. Specialists start with the facts and the lab results and current scientific knowledge. If you expect to be treated well, and also behave with respect and courtesy and dignity, then more times than not you'll be treated well, with respect and courtesy and dignity.

• Pros: In-house lab & diagnotic services
• Cons: Office is very far north