Amherst Family Practice

"Amherst family practice has been professional, polite, attentive, and everything you’d want from your doctors office. Receptionists are good at their job and always professional. We never have any trouble being seen, and Dr Shelsky gives us the best care (our whole family sees her). We are always able to get my baby in to be seen in a reasonable timeframe when he’s sick. Their billing department even worked through some issues with our insurance with us. Aside from very occasionally running a bit late, Amherst family practice has been excellent. From what I can tell, and after talking to many family and friends, they’re the best in the southern NH area. Thank you!"

"Overall Amherst Family Practice is good. The facilities are clean, the staff members are helpful, and the providers are good. However, recently I've found their billing to be a bit shady. At recent well visits, we have been assessed copays for additional office visits. In one instance maybe an argument could be made as to why what was discussed within a span of 30 seconds during the well visit may have been interpreted as outside the delicate confines of a "well visit", but most recently, the assessed copay was so unreasonable that I felt I needed to write a review. Along with all the HIPAA stuff, etc., we all do have to sign a waiver on that invisible signature pad at the front desk that says insurance can be billed for any uncovered charges or that additional copays may apply, etc.. I've just recently realized that in the case of well visits, unless you are so very careful regarding the course of the discussion with your provider at AFP, it's incredibly likely that they will find something additional to charge you for. Of course, I totally understand that in certain cases, people may take advantage of the time with their provider during a well visit to bombard them with all sorts of questions or complaints and that in certain situations it is very reasonable that a second copay be assessed. But it shouldn't feel like a business transaction with your provider, where any little thing you say can and will be used against you by the medical billing department. It shouldn't feel like providers are waiting for special buzz words or key words to add to their notes to beef up the billing. For me, that makes me feel like I can't go to a well visit (or maybe any visit?) without very explicitly stating to everyone I come in contact with that nothing is to be discussed that may fall outside of the limitations of that visit. Providers should be responsible for communicating where that invisible line is and to get permission from the patient before proceeding with that conversation. And when the surprise bill comes in the mail months later, most may just pay the mystery copay because the $20 isn't worth the time or energy. But for me, the shady billing makes me lose a bit of trust in the provider and in the practice."

"If you have an appointment, you're likely to have a decent experience, especially with some of the more tenured providers. (Sadly most of the good providers have left the practice over the years.) However, if you have a problem with a prescription or question for the provider (or provider's nurse) good luck getting any sort of response. Prescription refills, even through the newer MyChart system, take WAY TOO LONG. If you have a controlled medication you're likely used to having to refill it directly each month. If you happen to forget to submit the request a full two days in advance, you're going to most likely run out regardless if you call and let them know or not. If this falls near a weekend you will be without your medication for 3-4 days. I have had the staff previously resist the suggested use of 90-day mail order supplies "because it's a lot of work." NH state laws have made it much easier for certain controlled medications to be prescribed for 90-days, so it's not a legislative issue that's the problem. It really feels as if this office will ignore you unless they're making money off you or your insurance for their time. Not a great experience in the past few years. EDIT: It appears the customer relations department for Foundation Partners has talked with the office manager about my concerns and corrections have been made, so I have added back a star for "making it right", however my opinion stands regarding the lack of communication; I shouldn't have to raise it to the complaints line in the first place."

"I found Amherst Family Medicine when I went to Immediate Care for a sinus infection. The staff were wonderful and referred me to my current PCP as I had recently moved and had not found a new PCP. Every staff member was helpful and friendly and made the move pretty effortless. I have never had any problems getting an appointment with my PCP or a specialist, and I always see my doctor unlike at other practices. The scheduling staff are friendly and accommodating, The nurses are kind and friendly, and the medical/patient care wonderful. I have moved a lot in the past 10 years, and therefore I am always changing medical providers. This is the best practice by far."

"I had called to book a same day appointment and was offered two time frames. I confirmed my appointment with the receptionist in Amherst over the phone for 3:20 pm. I show up for my appointment and the woman said my appointment was for 1:40 pm. I have told I would need to see Immediate Care as all the doctors were booked for the remainder if the day. I explained that since this scheduling error was their fault I should not have to pay the premium cost to see Immediate Care. I then met with the Office Manager where she explained that there was nothing that could be done and they could not honor my request of paying the difference of immediate care as “this is not how they practice medicine.” I will be seeking care elsewhere after being treated this way."