Howard Gale, DPM - Rincon, GA

Eillen Smith

I had an appointment with Dr.Gale March 22, 2023. This was my first appointment; my first time meeting him and his staff. Let’s start with staff first. I can only describe staff. I do not know their names. The full figure nurse was very beautiful, very patient, very professional, and very knowledgeable. The thin young lady, the full figure beautiful woman was training was rude. She chewed gum the entire time while providing service to me. I don’t believe she was listening while being trained. Her attitude and body language appeared as though she was better than the full figure beautiful woman training her.

Now, Dr. Gale. Straight to the point. He lied in my face without blinking and said my insurance Humana Medicare will not cover an orthopedic insert. I’m a retired social worker, and a large portion of a social worker’s job is we find resources and do research. The first action I took was called my insurance and learned I needed a prior authorization and the orthopedic insert will be covered. I understand paperwork is involved with a prior authorization however, insurance is insurance is insurance no matter if it’s ILA insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, Aetna insurance, or Humana Medicare insurance; it’s all insurance and it involves paperwork period.

Dr. Gale read the x-rays and apparently he failed to see the bunion on the side of my left big toe. April 20 I’m having a bunion lapiplasty. Clearly, I researched another podiatrist one who does not lie and who reads exactly what they see on an
x-ray.

Whoever reads this review, people you have to be your own advocate. You have to question specialist, physicians and other healthcare professionals. In my case, and in other cases, unfortunately, healthcare professionals will not tell you the truth and whether they miss read x-rays or don’t tell you what they actually see on x-rays or MRIs or ultrasounds; It’s still wrong get second opinions; when you know they lied to you or when you found out specialist lied to you or physicians lied to you; get a second opinion be your own advocate.

Peruse this review at your own leisure.Learn from it. One can look at this review as bad or one can look at this review as good just learn from it. Otherwise, you would learn the hard way because I’m getting ready to go under anesthesia. Although, it’s not full anesthesia they are numbing my entire left leg for 24 hours, but had I not been my own advocate and had I not did my own research and got a second opinion, I would not have never known what was wrong and why so much pain was happening with my foot.

In essence, I would not recommend Dr. Gale to anyone. I don’t trust him. I don’t believe him. He can’t tell me anything. He couldn’t tell me the sun is shining outside. I would question it. He couldn’t tell me if it’s raining outside. I wouldn’t believe anything he says. If someone else has a good experience with him, then they have the better insurance that’s the only conclusion that comes to mind. He wanted me to pay $50 for an orthopedic insert or $300 for a different kind of orthopedic insert however, I wasn’t going to do neither. In my opinion, the bottom line was money! I will not be referring Dr. Gale to anyone.

This experience should not have happened. If one podiatrist saw a bunion lapiplasty surgery needed to be performed, clearly Dr. Gale saw this as well. Bad business practices people. Learn from this. Let the reader use discernment.

Tamara Shurling

Wonderful physician! He takes the time to listen to his patients concerns and is a skilled podiatrist.

MARSHALL JOHNSON