Athens Cardiac Clinic

For individuals in Watkinsville, Georgia, and the broader Athens area seeking cardiac care and searching within the platform category "Heart Doctor Near Me," Athens Cardiac Clinic, located at 1360 Caduceus Way Bldg 600 Ste 105, Watkinsville, GA 30677, USA, is an option to consider. They can be contacted by phone at (706) 850-3795 or via mobile at +1 706-850-3795.

Based on the available patient reviews, Athens Cardiac Clinic, particularly featuring Dr. Tongia and his nurse, receives significant positive feedback regarding the quality of direct patient care. Dr. Tongia is described as professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Patients appreciate his thoroughness in explaining their conditions and treatment options, indicating a commitment to patient understanding and involvement in their healthcare decisions. One reviewer explicitly states that Dr. Tongia is their entire family's cardiologist and highly recommends him.

The nursing staff, specifically Dr. Tongia's nurse, is also lauded as a key positive aspect of the clinic. She is described as kind and highly competent in her role. The reviewers emphasize that the "care" component of healthcare seems to be a strong suit of the in-house operations at Athens Cardiac Clinic, with Dr. Tongia and his nurse demonstrating genuine investment in understanding and addressing patients' health concerns beyond simply following standard protocols.

However, the patient reviews also raise significant concerns regarding aspects of the clinic's operations that are reportedly contracted out, specifically billing and certain diagnostic procedures. These concerns warrant careful consideration for potential patients.

Regarding billing, one reviewer details a frustrating and time-consuming experience trying to understand their bills. They report receiving new bills months after their last visit with increasing balances, despite having made payments. The explanations provided by the billing office were reportedly unclear, and past payments were not reflected on subsequent bills. The reviewer expresses suspicion about the billing system, describing it as unnecessarily complicated and delayed. Furthermore, the limited payment options, which at the time of the review included only check, in-person payment, or providing credit card details (including the security code) over the phone, are highlighted as outdated and potentially insecure. The online payment button on the website was also reported as non-functional.

Concerns are also raised about the contracted diagnostic testing services. One patient recounts an unprofessional experience where the technician administering the test appeared more engaged in personal entertainment than in focusing on the procedure. This individual was described as being in a bad mood, and the subsequent test results were reported as inconclusive. The reviewer further suggests that the inconclusive result might have been avoidable with a more attentive and professional administration of the test, based on a discussion with a colleague in the same field. This experience highlights a potential discrepancy between the high quality of care provided by Dr. Tongia and his nurse and the standard of service from contracted providers.

While the reviews do not offer specific details about the physical environment of the Athens Cardiac Clinic itself, the positive comments about Dr. Tongia and his nurse suggest a professional and likely comfortable consultation setting. However, the issues with billing and diagnostic testing might overshadow the positive aspects of the direct medical care received within the clinic.

Based on the available information, the services offered at Athens Cardiac Clinic likely include:

• Comprehensive cardiac consultations and evaluations with Dr. Tongia.
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs) and other routine cardiac assessments performed within the clinic.
• Development of personalized treatment plans for various cardiac conditions.
• Ongoing management and follow-up care for heart patients.
• Coordination of necessary diagnostic testing and procedures, some of which appear to be contracted out.

The features of Athens Cardiac Clinic, as perceived through the patient reviews, present a mixed picture:

Positive Features:

• Highly regarded cardiologist: Dr. Tongia is described as professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate, with a commitment to thorough patient care and education.
• Excellent nursing staff: Dr. Tongia's nurse is consistently praised for her kindness and competence.
• Patient-centered approach: Dr. Tongia is noted for taking the time to understand individual patient histories and tailoring treatment plans.

Negative Features (related to contracted services):

• Problematic billing system: Characterized by confusion, increasing balances months after visits, unclear explanations, and outdated/insecure payment options.
• Subpar diagnostic testing experience: Including unprofessional conduct by the technician and potentially compromised test results.

Currently, no promotional information or special offers for Athens Cardiac Clinic are mentioned in the provided text. Individuals interested in learning more about the clinic's services, accepted insurance plans, or appointment scheduling should contact them directly at the provided phone numbers: (706) 850-3795 or +1 706-850-3795.

In conclusion, Athens Cardiac Clinic, led by Dr. Tongia, appears to provide high-quality and compassionate direct cardiac care. Patients appreciate Dr. Tongia's expertise and patient-focused approach, as well as the excellent support from his nurse. However, potential patients should be aware of the significant concerns raised in the reviews regarding the clinic's billing practices and the quality of contracted diagnostic testing services. The decision to seek care at Athens Cardiac Clinic may depend on an individual's tolerance for these reported administrative and procedural issues, balanced against the positive experiences with Dr. Tongia and his immediate staff.