Ralph J. Kirmser's Online Review Report Card

Contrary to the other posts, I've used Dr. Kirmser for years and have had nothing but accurate diagnosis and excellent treatment.

He is deliberate and listens to my concerns and makes thoughtful decisions.

Recently my wife had to have a stress test and an echocardiogram done. She was referred to Dr. Ralph Kirmser by her primary doctor. She went for her initial consultation and with Dr Kirmser at his private office at 40 Cross Street in Norwalk and the test were scheduled. At the time she scheduled the test she confirmed with the receptionist that the upcoming tests would be covered by her Aetna Insurance. She was assured they were covered.Two weeks later she had both tests performed at Dr. Kirmser's  40 Cross Street office. Prior to the test she paid her $50 co-pay when she signed in with the receptionist. Three weeks after the tests we received a bill from St. Vincent's Medical Center for the same tests given in what we were led to believe Doctor Kirmser's private office at 40 Cross Street. The bill was for a whopping $1,303.47.Upon receiving the bill we notified our insurance carrier and were told that Dr. Kirmser billed the test as hospital outpatient. Aetna said to contact Dr Kirmser's office and have them resubmit as lab work done in his office. We spoke with Dr Kirmser's office and were told they could not do that because Dr Kirmser's practice is owned by St. Vincent's Medical Center. Apparently  this is becoming a trend with private practice offices to merge their business with a local hospital so the can bill these absorbent rates. See this article from the New York Times explaining this:<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2015%2F02%2F07%2Fupshot%2Fmedicare-proposal-would-even-out-doctors-pay.html%3Fabt%3D0002&amp;s=56cd9f90570ae1450e8b59a030a982e297a05db3520975d22efe86f64c02d55e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">nytimes.com/2015/02/07/u…</a>I believe this is very deceiving and any doctor who does not full disclose this to their patients is very untrusting and is in the business of making money and not treating their patients.I would highly recommend before using Dr Kirmser you do you due diligence and check to be sure you are not going to be billed as a St. Vincent outpatient.