Meritas Health Gashland Review

Choosing a healthcare provider is one of the most important decisions you make for yourself and your family. You want a clinic that offers comprehensive services, compassionate care, and a smooth patient experience. But with so many options, how do you know where to start?

If you're in the Kansas City area and considering Meritas Health Gashland, you're in the right place. This comprehensive Meritas Health Gashland review will delve into their services, patient experiences, costs, and more, helping you make an informed decision about your healthcare.

What is Meritas Health Gashland?

Meritas Health Gashland is a medical group practice located in Kansas City, MO, primarily specializing in Family Medicine. It also functions as an urgent care center, providing a dual role in serving the community's health needs. Situated at 9411 N Oak Trafficway, #100, Kansas City, MO 64155, it's a convenient location for many Northland residents.

This facility is part of the broader Meritas Health network, which is affiliated with North Kansas City Hospital, aiming to provide coordinated and accessible healthcare.

Services Offered at Meritas Health Gashland

Meritas Health Gashland offers a wide array of medical services, catering to both routine and urgent health concerns. As a primary care clinic, they focus on ongoing health management for individuals and families.

Their services include:

• Family Medicine: Comprehensive care for children, adults, and seniors.
• Urgent Care: Treatment for non-emergent injuries and illnesses, such as colds, flu, infections, rashes, allergies, and strep throat.
• Preventative Care: Annual exams, school physicals, and sports physicals.
• Diagnostic Services: On-site X-rays (for chest, arms, hands, legs, or feet) and general lab tests.
• Minor Procedures: Laceration repair (stitches).
• Chronic Disease Management: Care for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

For more specific needs, Meritas Health has a network of specialists, though Meritas Health Gashland itself primarily focuses on family medicine and urgent care.

Navigating Your Visit: Appointments, Wait Times, and Accessibility

Understanding the logistics of your visit can significantly impact your experience. So, what can you expect when it comes to appointments and wait times at Meritas Health Gashland?

Scheduling Your Visit

For urgent care needs, Meritas Health Gashland operates primarily as a walk-in clinic, meaning you can often arrive without a prior appointment. However, it's always a good idea to call ahead to check current wait times, especially if you plan to arrive near closing.

For primary care appointments, it's recommended to schedule in advance. If it's your first visit, aim to arrive about 30 minutes early to complete necessary paperwork and verify information. For subsequent visits, arriving 15 minutes early should suffice. While some Meritas Health locations offer online booking, Meritas Health Gashland may require you to call their office directly to schedule primary care appointments.

Operating Hours

The clinic's hours vary between its urgent care and primary care services. Urgent Care hours are Monday-Friday: 1-6 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sunday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.. Primary care office hours are generally Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with some sources indicating weekend availability for primary care as well. It's always best to confirm the specific hours for the service you need when you call.

Facility and Location

Meritas Health Gashland is located at 9411 N Oak Trafficway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64155. Patient reviews generally rate the facility cleanliness positively, averaging 3.4 out of 5. Parking is available on-site.

The Patient Experience: Staff, Doctors, and Quality of Care

The heart of any healthcare review lies in the patient experience. What are people saying about the care they receive at Meritas Health Gashland?

Overall patient ratings for Meritas Health Gashland vary, with an average of 2.5 out of 5 on Solv based on 15 reviews, and 2.0 out of 5 on Healthgrades based on 4 reviews. However, a deeper dive into individual feedback reveals a mixed bag of experiences.

Doctor Expertise and Bedside Manner

Many patients praise the expertise of the doctors, highlighting their attentiveness, empathy, and willingness to listen to concerns. Dr. Michael Julius Dibernardo and Dr. Daniel Ray Boyce are specifically mentioned in positive reviews for being thorough, attentive, and caring. Patients appreciate physicians who provide insightful advice and follow up adequately after visits.

However, some reviews point to concerns regarding specific doctor interactions. One patient described an "abrasive" experience with a doctor who was perceived as not listening to their concerns about a non-diabetic condition. Another review mentioned feeling "medically gaslighted" or that the clinic wouldn't acknowledge long COVID patients. These experiences highlight the importance of finding a doctor whose communication style aligns with your preferences.

Staff Friendliness and Office Environment

Staff friendliness receives mixed feedback. While some patients commend the nurses and staff for their caring nature and positive interactions, others report rude office staff, with one review specifically mentioning "Denise the office manager" as "terribly rude". This inconsistency suggests that individual experiences with administrative staff can vary significantly.

Wait Times and Efficiency

On the positive side, reviews often indicate generally short wait times, with patients appreciating the efficiency in accessing care without extensive delays. The check-in process is frequently described as quick.

Communication and Follow-up

Patients value clear communication. While some mention good follow-up from doctors, there have been instances of difficulty getting prescription refills and issues with lab work where requests were not relayed, leading to patients paying twice for labs. Meritas Health does offer a "myhealth" patient portal where you can view lab results, medication lists, and communicate with your provider, which can help manage these aspects.

Understanding Costs and Insurance at Meritas Health Gashland

Healthcare costs and insurance coverage are crucial considerations for any patient. Meritas Health Gashland aims to be accessible by accepting a variety of insurance plans and offering self-pay options.

Accepted Insurance Plans

Meritas Health Gashland accepts Medicare, PPO plans, and Self-Pay. They are also likely in-network with most major commercial carriers, including BlueCross Blue Shield, United Health, Aetna, and Cigna. However, it is highly recommended that you contact your specific insurance provider directly to confirm coverage and benefits before your visit, as plans and networks can change. Meritas Health Gashland is an exception to some Medicaid plans that other NKC Health facilities accept.

Self-Pay Options

For those without insurance, or if your plan isn't accepted, Meritas Health Gashland offers self-pay options. The self-pay price for a visit typically ranges from $100-$250, depending on the reason for your visit and the prescribed treatment plan. Be aware that additional services like lab tests, X-rays, or medications will incur extra costs. One patient reported being surprised by a minimum $140 payment requirement before being seen, highlighting the importance of inquiring about costs beforehand.

Pros and Cons of Meritas Health Gashland

To summarize, here's a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages based on patient feedback and available information:

Pros:

• Comprehensive Services: Offers both primary care and urgent care under one roof.
• Knowledgeable Doctors: Many positive reviews highlight physician expertise, attentiveness, and caring bedside manner.
• Efficient Wait Times: Patients often report short wait times and quick check-in processes.
• Good Facility Cleanliness: Generally well-regarded for cleanliness.
• Patient Portal: Provides online access to medical records, lab results, and communication with providers.

Cons:

• Inconsistent Staff Friendliness: Some reports of rude or unhelpful administrative staff.
• Communication Gaps: Issues reported with lab work coordination and prescription refills.
• Varied Patient Experiences: While many are positive, some express dissatisfaction with specific doctor interactions or billing transparency.
• No Online Booking for Urgent Care: Urgent care is primarily walk-in, though calling ahead is advised.

Conclusion

Meritas Health Gashland offers a valuable healthcare resource for the Kansas City community, providing both comprehensive family medicine and convenient urgent care services. Its strength lies in its often-praised doctors who demonstrate expertise and a caring approach, alongside generally efficient wait times. However, potential patients should be aware of the mixed reviews regarding administrative staff friendliness and the occasional communication challenges.

Ultimately, if you're seeking a clinic with a broad range of services and a strong focus on physician-patient interaction, Meritas Health Gashland could be a suitable choice. As with any healthcare decision, we recommend verifying your insurance coverage directly with your provider and, if possible, calling the clinic with any specific questions about services or costs before your visit.

Have you visited Meritas Health Gashland? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others in their healthcare journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What types of services does Meritas Health Gashland offer?

Meritas Health Gashland offers comprehensive family medicine services, including annual exams, sports physicals, and management of chronic conditions. They also operate as an urgent care center for non-emergent illnesses and injuries, providing services like X-rays, lab tests, and laceration repair.

Q2: Can I walk in for an appointment at Meritas Health Gashland, or do I need to schedule ahead?

For urgent care needs, Meritas Health Gashland primarily functions as a walk-in clinic, meaning you can often be seen without an appointment. However, it's advisable to call ahead to check current wait times. For primary care appointments, it's generally recommended to schedule in advance.

Q3: Does Meritas Health Gashland accept my insurance?

Meritas Health Gashland accepts Medicare, PPO plans, and self-pay. They are also likely in-network with many major commercial insurance carriers such as BlueCross Blue Shield, United Health, Aetna, and Cigna. It is always best practice to contact your specific insurance provider directly to confirm your coverage and benefits before your visit.

Q4: How are the patient reviews for Meritas Health Gashland?

Patient reviews for Meritas Health Gashland are mixed. Many patients praise the doctors for their expertise, attentiveness, and caring bedside manner, and appreciate the generally short wait times and efficient check-in process. However, some reviews mention issues with staff friendliness and occasional communication challenges regarding lab results or prescription refills.