Ernest Carames's Online Review Report Card

The best doctor I have had in many years. Very thorough and follows through. Was in the hospital last year and he visited every day, even though he was not the doctor who admitted me. Very conscientious and caring.

Very helpful with insurance problems and Very thorough.

I recently left the practice after being being billed for a mental health questionnaire that I never filled out. They billed my insurance company for several of these and none of them are in my file, I put them in my purse. A claim was also resubmitted on a tetnus shot I had to include an extra charge for an injection which my insurance company promptly denied as they already paid for the tetnus shot. i was balanced billed for that as well. My husband's medical records are mixed up with another patient's records, he has never had a stroke or TIA, never had lumbago, never had syncope.

My 87 year old mother had life threatening surgery in 2021 on her intestines. She has developed a bulge in her lower abdomen that causes her excruciating pain. When asked why an MRI could not be ordered he responded with she is fine she isn’t going to die. I questioned him and he responded with she is 87 years old, has weak stomach muscles because she doesn’t do sit ups. He came into the room furious anyways because she refuses to fill out the physiological screening questionnaire that is NOT required by the insurance company. Said he would no longer take her as a patient because she would not follow his protocol and complete the questionnaire. The reason we refused the questionnaire is because this office charges over a $100 for a non required piece of paper. DO NOT let your elderly parent go to this office alone.

He cancelled my 99 y.o. mom from his caseload. No explanations just a certified letter that took 2 and a half weeks for him to send and 3 weeks to receive giving her 4 days to find a new doctor. Her insurance company tried to find out why as well as my mom and me. The response was “we don’t have to tell you”. Dr. talks too fast for an older patient (and me too).

I thought dr was a good one until he dropped a patient from his caseload with no explanation and only less than a week to find a new dr. She had encountered no problems for a year and suddenly got a certified letter that she was no longer his patient. When asked why the response was “we don’t have to tell you” told to the patient, her daughter and her insurance company. They thought everything was good until then. Just unacceptable for a decent doctor!

This review concerns Internal Medicine Associates in general and Dr. Carames in particular. I am or was a relatively new patients for this practice beginning in early July of this year.First, the kiss: I had the good fortune to be assigned to Dr. Persaud. Dr. Persaud is is pleasant, humane, and competent medical professional. I have enjoyed our brief association due to his engaging personal manner, willingness to listen and comprehensive medical knowledge, particularly concerning prevention, and treatment for current infectious diseases.Now, the slap. As of about 10:10 am I was "fired" as a patient after an acrimonious encounter with Dr. Carames. Here's the story.I had a scheduled follow up appointment with Dr. Persaud at 10 am this morning and happily anticipated discussing certain matters with him. Arriving early, I donned my N95 mask and entered the lobby. As on my previous visits to the clinic, I noted that not a single one of the staff members, technicians or physicians wore such protection. Most wore paper masks, some even wore cloth masks.I was received by an individual who acknowledged my appointment and asked that I fill out a signed affidavit which sought to confirm vaccination status, COVID exposure and existence of symptoms. On previous visits to the clinic, I had indicated to the staff that I was happy to truthfully answer the requisite questions but did not feel comfortable signing a legal document concerning the questions. The staff stated they understood, checked the relevant boxes on the form, noting that I had declined to sign the form. The appointments proceeded without incident.The problem with the affidavit is that it asked whether the patient has been exposed to COVID. A definitive question that is quite possible to answer factually. One can only aver that they haven't been exposed to COVID TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE. Rather, the affidavit requires that one positively affirm that they haven't been exposed. The required affidavit is of questionable actual value and legally suspect. How can one possibly know whether they may have been exposed to an asymptomatic or early stage infected individual and why would one issue a signed affidavit to stating that they HAVE NOT been exposed?After waiting a few minutes in the lobby, I heard my name shouted from the reception area. As I approached the window, an individual who did not identify himself began belligerently barking questions: Had I been vaccinated? Had I been exposed? Did I have symptoms? Despite his failure to identify, I answer his questions to the best of my ability. Concerning vaccination, on two previous visits I had confirmed my full vaccination status and had provided both the date and batch numbers for each of the inoculations. It was clear that this individual had not bothered to look at my medical record prior to addressing me.This individual, as it turns out was Dr. Carames, then bellowed that I had not signed the affidavit. Before I could respond or discuss it with him, he proceeded to loudly and aggressively roar "There's a pandemic! This form is for our safety and the patient's safety. This is my practice and I'll run it any way I want!" Since I had already answered the "safety" questions on two occasions in the last 10 minutes, for his staff and for him, what role did the affidavit have in patient safety? The answer is absolutely none. The real purpose of the affidavit has nothing to do with patient safety; rather, it is nothing more than a bum cover born of sloppy and over broad legal advice.As Dr. Carames continued his bellicose rant he informed me that he didn't need me as a patient, and based this first and only interaction with him, I concurred that he didn't need me as a patient, nor did I have a desire to continue as a patient of "his" practice. (You're fired! No, I quit!)There is one more troubling aspect to today's encounter: by identifying me by name and asking for the disclosure of personal medical information in the public space of the clinic, Dr. Carames has committed a demonstrable and actionable HIPPA violation. On two of my previous visits, as I was checking out following my appointment, the staff at the desk openly discussed sensitive medical information within my hearing with other patients who approached the desk after I did. ("Mrs. Jones, Dr. X gave this diagnosis and recommends this test.") Also, a HIPPA violation.Had Dr. Carames chosen to approach me as sat in the lobby to calmly discuss the situation, I have no doubt that we could have resolved the matter amicably and to one another's satisfaction. His choice of public confrontation, improper disclosure of personal health information, and belligerent and bureaucratic demeanor created an adverse result for all parties.Having said all this, I truly regret not being able to confer this morning with Dr. Persaud. I wish him well in an unpleasant environment.

Extremely thorough if a little harried, but it's because he cares.

He has been my MD for 4 years. So kind and competent. When I was hospitalized last year, he visited daily.

I have been a patient of Dr. Carames for years. He is the best diagnostician ever, and a very kind and caring person. He is no-nonsense which I really appreciate. He was great to both my parents, and now my grown children. I recommend him without reservation as someone that I know personally cares about your health, is super smart and gets things done. Highly recommend.