Cardiology Clinic at U-M Frankel Cardiovascular Center

"My husband was in the ICU for eight days at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center after his bypass surgery. His surgeon said my husband needed to move to help reduce the significant swelling in his body. On my husband's third day in the ICU, the physical therapist came in, had him do arm exercises and helped him walk a few steps from the bed to a recliner. He and I did the arm exercises the next five days because a physical therapist didn't show up again until the eighth day; however, she was unable to do any therapy with him because he had a procedure scheduled. Since he wasn't getting PT daily, I asked his nurse(s) if they could get him up to walk. It is astonishing to me that he wasn't getting PT daily, and no one took the initiative to get him up to walk without me asking his nurse(s) to do so. Needless to say, the swelling in his body did not go down and he had to stay in the hospital an additional eight days."

"I've had three experiences with the U-M Frankel Cardiovascular Center. The first was a simple genetic testing. This experience was pleasant, and everyone was friendly. The second was not as pleasant. I was rushed through a diagnosis, which I found out just recently a few years later, was incorrect. The explanation I received recently was the person in charge was overworked as the main doctor had left the organization a day prior. I have since shrugged it off and I suppose I should just be grateful for the mistake. The third, and the reason I'm writing this review, has been the most unpleasant. The visit was great! I received the info that the previous diagnosis was incorrect and that I'm a healthy person, which was great. The staff were very friendly and professional, which they always are. Then, I received the bill... Let me back up. I have no health insurance currently. I didn't need to go in and have this appointment, but I've put it off for over 2 years, so it was time to check if I could afford it. I reached out to the center to set up an appointment. During this discussion, I told them I need an estimate in writing to make sure I could afford it, being this was all out-of-pocket. They sent me the two estimates for what was going to happen that day and sent them to me through the portal. I was pleased that I was going to be able to afford it. I went into the appointment, had the procedures they estimated (so I thought), then left back to my state I live in. A short time later, I received a bill for twice the amount quoted!! I understand that there is a disclaimer stating the bill can vary from the estimate, but twice as much is completely unacceptable. With a level head, I contacted the billing department. To summarize, the billing department didn't receive the estimate and choose a "standard" billing code for the procedure, which is a higher cost than the estimate. In addition, they billed me for another "code", as they called it. This "other" code was for another procedure, I'm assuming, that I was never made aware of. During my email discussions with the billing department on the portal, there was very little talk about why this happened, but plenty of talk about all the different ways us uninsured people can pay for it. This is not the point. The point is to figure out how you charged me twice the amount without two very important things; my consent for the extra work or discussing the charges with me. If you're reading this, and you will be self-pay due to no insurance, I urge you to get an estimate in the portal, print that out, and walk around with it during your appointment. Show everyone you talk to during the appointment that this is what is included in the estimate, don't provide any more, or any less, without your express consent and knowledge of the costs included. Thank you for the many years of care U-M Frankel Cardiovascular team, but I will not be returning."

"I am grateful for the great skill and care from Dr. Pelosi and the Frankel Center staff in caring for my father in his recent cardiac procedure. Thanks to all for your dedication and the sacrifices you made to obtain your education, training, and skills. #givethanks"

"Excellent care for my dad!!"