Woodlands Heart & Vascular Institute

I would advise against this practice if you don't want to be forced into visits every three months just to renew a prescription. I requested a refill due to travel and an extremely busy December, and my medication was denied. Their new policy requires a visit every three months for prescription renewals. Beyond their obvious financial motivation, holding a patient's heart medication hostage unless they schedule frequent time consuming appointments feels incredibly predatory. There are plenty of other providers who don't require you to spend half a day in a doctor's office four times a year simply to continue necessary medication.

If I could give this place a zero I would. As someone who tries to keep their stress at a minimum due to heart problems this place only made me experience more LOL. I have never been spoken to so rudely by their staff and billing department. I have been trying to get a hold of them for MONTHS. Oddly I get hung up on whenever I ask to talk to the billing department or the classic same excuse she's not in right now...I have messaged them numerous times on their portal also no response. They lied about the charges of a heart monitor, they changed my appointment day of, when I called to clarify the lady told me it was at 9:40 even though I confirmed my appointment and have proof on text. She hung up on me when I told her I was sticking to my 10am appointment and not paying a late fee. If you want to save yourself money and stress go somewhere else. I sure wish I did.

I was pleasantly surprised with the care I received beginning with the front office, to the medical assistants and then with Dr. Fernandez. I was blown away with the efficiency and kindness (especially Lilly) of the staff. Dr. Fernandez was very compassionate and thorough. I felt comfortable with the information she provided and the plan moving forward and she spent so much time with me on my first visit.

Make sure they do not over charge you for services. If they do, it will takes months to get your refund. They over charged me by $1,200 at the beginning of March. I was not notified of the over payment and found out when I received my explanation of benefits from the insurance company weeks later (Beginning of June). I called the office to discuss the over payment, which was informed they could not help me. I was transferred to their 3rd party billing company. The billing company told me they will process the refund but it will take 60-90 days. They did not provide any good reason why it would take so long. As of 8/6/24 still no refund. I called the office again, which was informed the refund was approved by the 3rd party billing but the CFO or COO (cannot remember which one) has to release the refund and they would follow up with me the next day. We are now at 8/7/24 and I had to call them for an update. I sat on hold for 25 minutes to be told the CFO or COO is going out of the country and would write the check once he is back on 8/19/24. I do not have high hopes this is going to happen based on how this hole thing has played out. Also, another thing I want to point out. If I would have not caught the over charge then it typical takes 6 months for the return to occur once it has been initiated. For me they did not initiate the refund and it had been 2 months. With all that aside. I preferred the PAs over Dr. Fernandez which, I only saw at my initial appointment. I believe Dr. Fernandez is over the top. She says she does not drink caffeine, but I find that hard to believe. Also, the over the phone "appointments" are worthless. Basically could be handled via email of text message. Overall, I do not recommend them and I canceled all follow ups a few months ago. If they overcharge you do not expect your money back any time soon.

Horrible experiences with this clinic both with the doctors and the office manager. I first walked in being on no prescription meds, feeling fine just wanting my cardiac health checked, then within a few weeks, I was on 4 prescription meds. The NP attempted to put me on an additional cholesterol medication even after lab numbers vastly improved and were normal. I declined. She would continually act frustrated when I would ask any questions about meds., my heart etc. When I made an appt. to see Dr. Fernandes because I was feeling terrible, much worse than before being put on the meds, I was told I was non-compliant and "you are the one who came to us! These medications will help you!" I was charged over $1000 upfront for a procedure that insurance paid in full. It took 3 months to get a refund. The office manager never wanted to speak to me so I waited inside the clinic until she finally came to visit with me about it. I called once to talk to her and had to refuse to hang up until I spoke to her because she didn't want to talk to me. I continued seeing this cardiologist and NP for several months, thinking it was just me being picky. So glad I heeded my husband's advice and left them. I now see a new cardiologist who immediately took me off one of the medications that had made me swell up like a balloon and I feel 100% better. I cannot and will not recommend Woodlands Heart and Vascular to anyone.