Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute

Made appointment for dermatology about a month in advance. Show up for said appointment to find out it had been «bumped» or cancelled, and nobody bothered to tell me. This place is gross, looks like a DMV, nothing like a doctor’s office.

I originally scheduled an appointment about a month ago. It was scheduled out two weeks. Unfortunately, I had to reschedule and wait another two weeks. But my appointment week finally approached. I received a letter/​packet in the mail detailing the address and where I should park and when I should arrive. I also had to fill out a couple pages on my history (I assume because I’m a new patient). I brought all this paperwork and my insurance card with me for the appointment. I had no problem finding a parking spot in the garage, which was free and right next door. I entered the institute on the the basement floor and took the elevator up to the first floor. Walking out of the elevator, straight ahead, was the waiting area. There were two desk top computers where you type in your first and last name. Then you sit and wait for your name to be called. They call you by first initial and last name. I think I only waited about 60 – 80 seconds before my name was called. I was instructed to come to desk 6, where I signed some paperwork and handed over my insurance card. From there, I was instructed to go the optical store at the back. I check in at their desk and only waited another minute or two before I was seen. I was fitted for both contacts and glasses. Everyone was very friendly and explained everything as we went along. Once I they were done with me, I picked out a pair of frames and placed my order. I should get a call from them in a bout a week when they arrive.

I am sorry but I has to visit the Ortho department which is in the same building and your parking lot is awful! All
the clinics are always over booked and there just isn’t enough parking! I saw patients fighting for spots as they opened up… Wow once I leave I am switching hospitals…
Sincerely Insured

One medical thing that I absolutely abhor is getting my retinas checked. It has been a few years since I last came here. Several things happened that has made want to switch to another place. Firstly, when I made the appointment to see a retinal specialist about a month ago I was told that I needed a referral (which was odd since in the past I never needed one since I have a PPO insurance). I thought that this referral was due to change in policy on my insurance. I was incredibly busy dealing with other stuff that I simply forgot to ask for one. I got a call about a week prior to the appointment telling me to get one before I could see the specialist. So, I contacted my primary care doctor to get one. Today was the day of the appointment. I called in the morning to see if they got the referral. Nope. I called my primary care doctor & left a message. Then, I called Department of Ophthalmology to see what the deal was. Apparently, someone with lack of experience told me the wrong thing. I didn’t need a freaking referral. Secondly, & maybe it is a bit of my fault. I have a history of migraines. They couldn’t find my chart since I last came here in 2008. I forgot to tell them, but I told them at the visit. The specialist took a freaking long time to examine my retinas. The horrid headache from hell started in the middle of the exam. In addition to the headache, I was crying. Tears were rolling down my face. The exam was incredibly painful for me. It didn’t have to be. I had previously seen another doctor here, & he made it 100 times less painful than her. I didn’t go back to him & decided to try someone new. Maybe she was a bit inexperienced. In any case, I was not really happy. I had to take frequent breaks which she seemed to be miffed about. In the end, I left with an incredibly bad headache with near hatred for this place. The only reason I came here is that they take my insurance. I need to find a better retinal specialist.

No one at the entrances to tell you where to go. Very confusing set up. elevators don’t have signs. Some elevators only go up one floor some to the top…
I went here for a class for work… don’t want to return.

I’m upping my rating for the Anheuser-​Busch Institute by one star, but that’s only because my physical therapists are beyond awesome.
When we last left our heroine … er… me… I was waiting three hours to see my foot doctor, the nurse’s station wouldn’t talk to me, I was missing follow-​up appointments with employee health because of the tardiness, and the physical therapy department receptionist wouldn’t call me back to make PT appointments.
Most of that is still going on, but the physical therapists themselves have been wonderful. After not getting a call back for four days about setting up appointments, the lead physical therapist called me himself and apologized for the department’s receptionist. Though he was unfamiliar with the appointment set-​up and insurance system, he got us both through it and booked me for two appointments for the following week. Sure, STLSnowpocalypse2011 ended up postponing those appointments, but the therapist was in contact with me the whole time, gauging what was best for both my mobility and the safety of his staff.
Once I made it to therapy, I finally met Mike (who had been helping me all along) and a PT intern, Lindsey. Lindsey was the one who took care of me that first day, and she did an excellent job of explaining exercises that could make my foot stronger and how muscles and bones heal together. I followed that appointment with one with Anne, and she similarly was encouraging and supportive. I feel very safe to try the exercises that push my foot’s flexibility, and I know that everything they’re doing is sincerely in my best interest. I continue to see these physical therapists twice a week, and I actually look forward to my time there.
The problems with other portions of ABI still loom, though, so I’m still not in love with the place. I have another doctor’s appointment in March, so we’ll see if any customer service issues are resolved then.