GHC-SCW Capitol Clinic

"I need antibiotics. I can't get them. I've been sick for over 2 months when I got sick on an international flight. At first, I saw a doctor at the urgent care, and she did a great job. Except that she put me on an antibiotic for acne instead of lungs as she was trying to save my stomach. I finally started to get better after 5 days on antibiotics. I was 90% better when my antibiotics ran out. Then I got worse again. I tried to get a different antibiotic through MyChart because obviously the antibiotics were working, but I need stronger ones more geared for my lungs. After spending about $600 for the first appointment plus $200 for insurance each month, I couldn't afford to go back. They wouldn't call in a stronger antibiotic for me although it's obvious that the acne antibiotic was starting to work. So I waited until my yearly physical since I had to pay for that appointment anyway. However, instead of giving me the antibiotics that I need, the doctor (who I've seen twice ever and is a different doctor than the urgent care doctor) wanted to put me on an inhaler for the rest of my life. Ridiculous! I need an inhaler for cats, dogs, wildfires, and when I'm sick. Not every day for the rest of my life. What I need is antibiotics. I'm a biologist and over half a century old. I know my body. I need antibiotics to get rid of the last crud in my lungs and throat and nose. But instead, I have to take Advil and Tylenol every day to get through the day because I'm still sick. My parents both have kidney issues. I don't want to be on Advil and Tylenol every day. I need antibiotics. So more than a thousand dollars later (and I have "good" insurance), I am still sick and very hopeless and hate life every day. This has diminished my quality of life so much that I often times don't even want to get out of bed. I've never been sick for over 2 months before. I've always been able to get the antibiotics I need to get over my bacterial infections because the doctors in Massachusetts actually know what they're doing. What I'm going to do next is try natural antibiotics including garlic, echinacea, ginger, neem, honey, cabbage, myrrh, thyme,oregano, cloves, goldenseal, tumeric, clove, and silver. So sad that it would be easier to get a script for pain meds than it is to get antibiotics when you really need them. Which for me is maybe every two years at most. To add insult to infection, I just got an email that says GHC MyChart has been hacked. Nice. Avoid this place like a respiratory illness."

"Do not go to Group Health. Their billing department are cut throat, horrifically mean, and use rigid exploitative policy to talk to you like you're in the principal's office when they're trying to tell you they can change a payment plan and you're telling them you can't do it."

"You'll be required to take your care into your hands far more than any patient should. Inconsistent diagnoses, horrible communication, and months delays for extremely serious conditions. Not a good support system here either, and most drs/nurses do not give your a personalized level of care. Some nurses here stand out granted. I only go here because my insurance demands it."

"Myself and my wife and two daughters have had GHC insurance and have primarily been using this facility for almost seven years. In that seven years we have seen many dozens of providers and staff members. Nearly all care and interactions have been wonderful and caring. Yes, folks working at the information desks -- the “front lines” if you will -- can occasionally be cranky, but usually they’re very kind and patient, much more pleasant than I would be if I were in their shoes. Thank you, GHC, for all you’ve done for me and my family."