Provena St. Joseph Immediate Care

I needed a trip to the St. Joseph ER. The nurses, ER guys, and doctor were all very caring, professional, and did their job. I didn’t enjoy waiting in the ER for 4+ hours, but I understand that they have many other patients to tend to as well as tests that needed to be run for me. I think my wait time was the average and am glad I didn’t have to wait any longer.
On the other hand, I didn’t appreciate the nurse who blamed my body when she couldn’t get the needle to draw blood properly. I realize she was being honest and she could have been new, but it’s best not to imply that it’s the patient’s fault, because, as was my case, it can cause one to worry. Another nurse seemed to have a cold attitude towards one of her colleagues, which was a bit upsetting to me. Overall my care was very good, and other than these small issues I was fine with my stay.

Be an informed consumer, unlike me. I ASSUMED that fees would be in a normal range for non-​emergency immediate care. BIG, EXPENSIVE mistake. If you’re un-​, under-​, or self-​insured, find somewhere else.
A friend recommended this place as fast, efficient and clean. I stopped in during the day, on a Saturday, in mid December. Had a blocked up ear that I couldn’t get opened, and since airline travel was in my future, I thought better safe than sorry. The building exterior and interior are gorgeous; the staff was friendly and pleasant.
So, I signed in, asked what the fee would be. Was told $ 150.50 and that they offered a 40% cash discount. Signed paperwork to that effect. NEVER was it mentioned that this is merely the «walk in the door and sign up» fee.
15 minutes later, I’m having vitals checked by a nurse: temp and BP. Asked to identify my concern; so I said I needed my ear unblocked. Doctor comes in, looks in my ear, looks in my other ear, gets the saline and syringe/​plunger and has me hold a little plastic tray under my ear. 2 minutes later, I’m done, stopping at the front desk and writing a check to settle my bill. Easy as pie, and very pleased.
Or, so I thought. Several days later, I get a bizarre phone call from someone asking if they can help me with financial assistance for my «hospital visit». I tell them they’ve got a wrong number, until if becomes apparent that my quick trip to what I thought was similar to a quick care facility was actually a «hospital trip.»
Several infuriating phone calls later, I am promised an itemized bill. Which never arrives.
What does arrive is a statement from Provena St. Joseph Medical Center billing me for $ 525+. To squirt saline in one ear. While I assisted with the «procedure» by holding the $ 2 plastic tray.
So: the moral of the story? If you need emergency care, go to an emergency room. If you need something minor, try CVS or Walgreens or somewhere else that doesn’t pad their charges so excessively. Unless you have fabulous insurance, you’re going to pay through the nose. Or in my case… the ear.