|
It's a fact of life for a lot of people as they get older: they need help hearing. But hearing aids are expensive, so when a local doctor's office wouldn't live up to a promised refund, ABC 7's On Your Side stepped in to make sure they heard the issue loud and clear.
Rockville resident 85-year-old Olga Von Lowenstein wasn't surprised that ABC 7 camera crews did not receive a warm welcome from Washington ENT Group. That's because Lowenstein herself went to them for help with her deteriorating hearing, and now finds herself waiting for a big refund. "I am angry, I'll tell you that," Olga said. Angry because seven months after going to D.C. Audiology and its parent company Washington ENT, she is still waiting for a $5,700 refund promised by the company. "I feel badly because I don't like to go places anymore. I don't like to be with people because I have to come close and say, 'I beg you're pardon.'" Paperwork shows the medical group charged Lowenstein $6,180 to fit her with new hearing aids, but "instead of softening the bad part or clearing the bad part up, she amplified it." A June 15th letter promises Olga a refund of $5,700 within 30 business days. The company did send Olga a check just days before Christmas but it bounced. "It hurts me that somebody can really play with me when I needed the refund," Olga said. ABC 7's Kris Van Cleave went to Washington ENT Group's D.C. office hoping to get answers, but instead had a door slammed in his face. "You promised her a refund of $5,700 and you send her a bounced check after seven months. Do you think that's appropriate?" he said.
He then tried to call the office since they would not let him in. Van Cleave: "Hi, this is Kris Van Cleave at Channel 7. You locked us out of your front door here." But instead of letting him in, they called security. "We've been advised you are not allowed to be on this property any longer," security said. ABC 7 crews were escorted out of the building, but not before getting the attention of the group's lawyer, who assured us he would help. "I think this is a mistake of a very long order, but very resolvable," said Mitchell Rotbert, Washington ENT Group attorney. It took more than 17 months but Olga finally got her refund, and next week she will finally get new hearing aids. The doctor's office apologized for the situation through their attorney. ABC 7 News has heard from at least two additional people who claim others are having similar issues getting refunded their money. If you or someone you know has experienced a similar issue please call 7 On Your Side's tipline at 866-236-3401. (by wjla.com)
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Protected Music Converter is a software which allows you easily convert your protected (or unprotected) music files to most frequently used unprotected formats (MP3, OGG, unprotected WMA)
iSofter DVD to MP4 Converter is fast, easy to use DVD to MP4 converter software which helps you convert your video DVD to MP4 or converting VOB files to MP4 (MPEG-4), including DVD to MP4, VOB to MP4 converter.
