Capitol Medical Group

We’ve been taking our kids here for several years. The doctors have been fantastic and the front desk staff is very kind. However, we have continuously had negative experiences with the nurses (with a handful of exceptions, most notably, the terrific nurses who manage the question line). In the past month alone, we had two appointments in which nurses left us waiting for exam results and forgot about us entirely. Both times, I waited more than a half hour (thinking they must have been busy), before approaching the nurses desk to inquire about the results. Both times the nurses told us that they «forgot» to tell us we could leave. There were no apologies or explanations offered. While the doctors are very friendly and patient with our kids, we find the nurses to be generally unpleasant. We’ve stuck with the practice because we are happy with the level of care, but would be much happier if the nurses we see during our visits had better attitudes!

I have to say: We, too, were, absorbed into this practice. Dr. Fusner and her team absolutely did not change our expectations unreasonably; Dr. Fusner’s office operated like a normal doctor’s office: somewhat disorganized, pleasant (if brisk) on the phone, and ultimately offering excellent medical care with a value placed on empowering children (and their parents) to stay well.
Capitol Medical Group appears to be run as a business for profit instead of as a medical group of pediatricians focused on children and their parents. Outright apathy and/​or hostility by the front desk is joined by what also appears to be well-​intentioned disorganization. The group is so poorly managed that the front desk is left to handle, with various personalities and moods of the day (rather than a logical, patient-​centric work flow), parents’ phone calls, concerns, questions, and — obviously — logistical issues around appointment scheduling for young children. And these exchanges take place only after you’ve been on hold 90% of the time.
It’s Pavlovian for me now: «Capitol Medical Group, can I place you on hold?» And I wait to find out what kind of person I’m going to have to deal with to get information or help for my children. Don’t even get me started on the extra charges for phone calls and last-​minute visits. I could be totally naïve about this latter money part, so please forgive me if I am and this is extra harsh — maybe all groups perform this cynical practice of charging parents in an emergency situation for needing to talk something through or having something checked out «just in case»? But really? Is that really the kind of medical group they want to be? Must they add one more layer of financial and logistical stress to families’ lives because they need the 2% bump in profits?
I have no idea if the doctors are competent (the only reason I think they must be is how much trust I have in June Fusner — but now I’m beginning to wonder!), because the front desk appears to want to schedule you with nurses — for your children’s annual exams. This particular set of exchanges occurred after my very first call to the office, in which the woman said she had to «go to lunch and call [you] back to register and schedule your children.» Two weeks later, she had not called back. So when I called back to schedule their annual exams, the front desk person pushed for us to see a nurse and seemed annoyed when I asked for a doctor. Yikes.
My son saw Marla Roach (Roche?) last week for an infection, and my husband said she was «fine» and «nice.» The triage nurse Carrie I talked to beforehand was extremely nice, but she missed diagnosing his problem because she was not listening fully to me. If it hadn’t been for my husband’s insistence they go in, my son would have suffered needlessly overnight.
The two women at the front desk who at least deserve some kudos (and should look for other jobs) are Crystal and Masika. That Crystal promised to fax a form to my kids’ school and did not I will just hope is not because she is nice and incompetent, but rather because she left the fax in someone else’s hands and they failed to send it as promised.

Wish there was a zero star option. Rude receptionist, rude nurse. Patient requesting service is the problem, not their lack of customer service. And their hold times are ridiculous. Prescription renewals are a nightmare.

I would like to echo the comments of Jaunita S. When our beloved pediatrician retired, my children’s medical records were transferred to Capitol Medical group. Perhaps I am a bit spoiled by the wonderful treatment we received over the last 17 years from her excellent staff.
My first and LAST experience with Capitol Medical Group was appalling. I called this morning to get a copy of my sons vaccination records. I was put on hold for 10 minutes by an extremely rude receptionist. I originally thought I had been hung up on, so I called back. Before I had the opportunity to speak, I was put on hold again. After another 5 minutes of dead air, I called again. This time I was berated for hanging up and calling back. If this is the treatment families receive from the staff, I have not intention of bringing my family to Capitol Medical Group.
After waiting on hold for ANOTHER five minutes, I finally spoke to a staff member who agreed to provide me with a copy of my sons immunization record. When I asked for a full copy of my children’s medical records so that I could find a new doctor, I was told that I would be charged $ 25 per child and have to wait 7 – 10 business days before I could receive the copies. This seems like extortion.

This practice became our new practice by default when our beloved pediatrician retired and closed her practice recently. One phone call with the very unpleasant receptionist (Nicole) has me convinced that if she is the face of this group, I don’t need to know more.
Now I am faced with the inability to register my daughter for school because this group seems to need 30 business days (six weeks!!!) to photocopy a file for a new practice. Nor can I take the obvious alternative of getting a physical conducted by one of their doctors because they don’t do that in August or September. This is not a practice that seems to have much regard for its patients.

We take our kids to this practice and generally have good experience with them for the most part. All the doctors we have consulted with have been good and so have been most of the nurses. There are a few that are a bit rough, less patient with our kids.
Making appointments has been easy too and we like the new Before Hours walk in clinic for a sick child! That itself is a reason to come to this practice.
The only negative aspect of this practice is a the insanely long wait times after seeing a nurse and before the doctor arrives. This may be okay for older kids, but our kids are toddlers and keeping them entertained for that period becomes a challenge. I wish they can fix this issue!

I visited this practice when my 2 year old suffered from a bout of strep throat. Dr. Roche (sp?) was so great with my son and put him at ease, even though he was very scared. We are not from the area and are just here visiting, so it was very comforting to get such great care so far away from home. I would go back again should my son need further treatment or visits.

Love this place. All the doctors, nurses, and lactation consultants have been very professional, responsive, and caring. We are leaving the area and know this medical practice will be hard to match.

I have 3 children and they’ve all been patients at CMG since they were born and have seen nearly every doctor. There is only one doctor I do not think is very good. All others are personable, knowledgeable and excellent doctors. The doctors have always given great medical and other advice for all development stages of my children’s lives. My teenager starting going there when she was just 5 months old and she’s now a young woman. My son, who was diagnosed with ADHD 4 years ago, gets excellent care. Finally, my youngest was diagnosed with a life threatening illness and based on Pat screening my call (I was quite non-​chalant about the symptoms) they immediately saw my daughter and quickly sent us to the hospital where my daughter was for 7 days.
there are a lot of neurotic people in this area and CMG has seen it all, I’m sure.
Their fees are what they are because that is what the area charges. I am grateful they take inusurance and they have kept their doctors there for so long.

Have had several bad experiences and am switching to another practice. Arrived 1 minute past their 15 minute grace period and receptionist cancelled appointment. They are impersonal, money hungry and like a factory and don’t care about their patients.

Our two children have been patients of Capitol Medical group for 5+ years. We visit at least once a year for yearly physicals and sometimes inbetween for small incidents. We always arrive 5 minutes early and pay every invoice immediately.
Yesterday, I picked my son up at 2:30 from school because the school nurse called to say he had a 102.7 fever and displayed classic symptons of strep. As soon as I got the call from the school nurse, I went to pick up my son AND immediately called Capitol Medical group to see if he could be seen for a strep test.
I was on hold for 9 minutes. When the receptionist picked up, I explained the situation of being established patients and my son’s temperature and symptons of strep. She informed me that THEY RAN OUT OF STREP TESTS and she did not know what to tell me. She said she would have the nurse call me ASAP. All calls were made and received on my cell phone, so I have the call times. The nurse did NOT call back until after 5pm. She said it was too late to be seen and that they wouldn’t have the strep tests the next morning either. She offered no solution but did offer plenty of attitude.
I asked her to have the practice manager, who had left for the day, phone me tomorrow (today).
Since the call from the practice nurse came in at 5:06 pm, our only two options for care were the emergency room or the minute clinic at CVS. We went to the CVS minute clinic and waited 2 hours for care as the line was long. My son was treated by the practitioner and tested positive for strep. His fever was at 103.2. Antibiotics were prescribed and he will be fine.
Maybe I am wrong but what kind of pediatric practice «runs out» of Strep tests in the middle of December? Clearly, someone has not been on top of proper inventory. Common sense should tell them that they need a solid inventory of strep test in December! Second, when a long time, established patients has an acute issue and phones at 2:35 pm, reporting a fever of 102.7 and classic symtons of strep, why are we turned away. Terrible triage.
Lastly, the practice manager, «Pat» returned my call this morning. She was quite unpleasant and told me that «she was too stressed out and busy» and did not understand my problem since my son did get treatment else where.
I expect and demand better for my kids. God knows we pay for it at Capital Medical group! Capitol Medical group is not Cheap, they charge for every camp of school form and after hours call. We have always been very responsible, reliable patients. If they can not accomodate a child in this situation, who’s parent calls at 2:35pm, then they have to re evaluate how they run their practice.

When my daughter was barely a teenager I was referred to this group by a sibling who brings both his children to this practice. The Doctors, nurses, admin, and all others related to the practice were first rate. The waiting room for older children is awesome, and the wait was never long.
I have recommended this practice to other friends and family.
Regarding the negative comments about the practice being about the money, that thought never crossed my mind.

My brother recommended this group, he’s super picky, and they are awesome, they do fit you in a timely fashion. It’s a busy office so just remember that. Dr Finkelstein is great and we have seen most of the other doctors. Dr. Finkelstein takes the time to talk with us every time we go there, we don’t feel rushed when we see the doctors. My son has allergies and he has been helped out lots. I really like this practice, they are not all about money and all services should not be free.

Too money hungry. They charge you $ 25 for after hours calls, FROM NURSES!
This place gives great care, but they are too hung up on nickel and dime fees, which cheapens the overall experience.
Better places out there!

One of the million things you’re supposed to do when you’re pregnant is to find a pediatrician for your baby. After countless hours of research, this neurotic first-​time mom picked CMG for her baby boy.
Doctors — we love Dr. Jones, the head of the practice, who always takes his time to answer all our questions. (In fact, he might not be the one for you if you’re in a hurry.) We also adore Dr. Finkelstein and Dr. Wheeler, who are so sweet and patient, even with new parents like us who have no idea what we’re doing.
Hours — love, love that they’re open on Saturday morning. We’ve already had to take my 5-​month-​old son in on one Saturday morning, when he woke up with a fever, and they were able to see us right away.
Call-​backs — when we called because my son had a fever, the nurse called us back right away. Even when we called with non-​urgent questions, it’s never taken more than a few hours for someone to get back to us.
Wait time — even though CMG is about 20 minutes from us, the driving time plus the wait time is still less than the over-​an-​hour wait times at many of the practices downtown, which are closer to us.
Parking — there are always tons of spaces in their lot, and the first hour is free with validation.
Lactation consultant — they actually have one on staff, Holly, who called me while I was still in the hospital and was very helpful when my son and I were learning how to breastfeed. (Not as intuitive as you might think!)
Informational interview — CMG doesn’t charge for the tryout. (To the ones that do – yeah, I get that the doctor’s time is valuable, but so’s ours!!) Rather, they host Prenatal Night on Wednesday evenings, where Dr. Jones introduces the group to new and expectant parents.
Privileges — they have privileges at Sibley, so if you deliver there, as I did, they’ll be able to see your baby while you’re still in the hospital.
Minuses? Like any non-​solo practice, there are some doctors and staff members that I don’t love, but I just try to avoid them when I make our appointments. And it would be nice if they were Metro-​accessible, but then again, would you want to take public transportation with a sick baby?