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CB Hospitals and Clinics Functional Endocrinology Of Ohio Ripoff - Zero Positive Results With $5100 FEO Health Program
Functional Endocrinology Of Ohio

Functional Endocrinology Of Ohio review: Ripoff - Zero Positive Results With $5100 FEO Health Program 6

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3:13 pm EDT
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Functional Endocrinology of Ohio (FEO), Dr. Keith Unger, Dr. Deborah McFarland, Andrew Schon

I saw a several minute infomercial on TV with Dr. Keith Unger claiming: many people can regrow hair, and their hair can return to its natural color, and their program can significantly improve the client's diabetes. Interested from the TV infomercial I went to see Dr. Keith Unger give a one-hour presentation on the thyroid. He claimed his system takes into consideration 10 different steps while conventional doctors only focus on three steps to improve thyroid function. Dr. Keith Unger is the president of FEO.

My goals were to increase energy, reduce my waistline, and reduce my weight through the Functional Endocrinology of Ohio (FEO) health program – zero of the goals I had were attained through FEO's program.

1. Andrew Schon at FEO signed me up for the $5100 health program with Dr. Deborah McFarland as my doctor.

2. Energy levels stayed consistent throughout the program. Cleansing, change in diet and supplementation did NOT improve my energy level.

3. Supplements were very expensive and were not covered by insurance. I saw zero results from taking the supplements – which was an out-of-pocket expense. My program allowed $1500 for supplements as part of the $5100 cost.

4. Total cost of blood tests $780. Results from blood tests were near normal and nothing special was determined from the tests.

5. My insurance company told me Dr. Deborah had an in-network contract for $57 per visit at the 2800 S. Arlington Rd., Akron location. My insurance company says the FEO 6200 Rockside Woods Blvd., Suite 100 Independence, OH location is out-of-network at $283 per visit. Note the huge five-times cost difference! There was a failure to disclose this major difference in costs upfront by FEO and Dr. Deborah McFarland. Since I didn't check with my insurance company about this until afterwards, I lost over $2500 – i.e. if I had known about my options upfront and gone to Dr. Deborah at 2800 S. Arlington Rd. for $57 per visit I would have saved $2500 for the same health program!

6. Due to the very high price of the program with no results – and a loss of at least $2500 to me by using out-of-network FEO, I wish I had never done the FEO health program!

7. TO ALL NEW POSSIBLE CLIENTS:

Ask what tests are likely to be required – including medical code and cost for each test – in writing.

Make sure you know upfront before signing any contract if you'll be charged an in-network or out-of-network price at the location you'll receive services and the doctor performing the services (find out from your insurance company before doing anything). Also ask if it's an out-of-network price, can you do it in-network at a different location or with a different doctor. If it is the out-of-network $283/visit – think if it's really worth that kind of money? Your choice.

Realize if you pay $283/visit out-of-network price – that ONLY $57/visit (allowed amount) will be applied toward your deductible – NOT $283/visit!

Also beware of their early termination fee – withdrawing early costs you a lot of extra money!

Make sure if it is not an emergency to start the program after your insurance company year starts – which might be May 1st or some other month than January. This can drastically reduce the deductibles you must payout for the program – making it only one year versus two years worth of deductibles!

I would make sure that FEO submits accurate fully filled out claim forms to your insurance company after every office visit!

8. I had trouble with Andrew Schon submitting blood test claims to my insurance company.

I am writing this to warn all possible clients of the possible financial danger in working with Dr. Deborah McFarland, Dr. Keith Ungar and Andrew Schon. I suggest to any new client to not sign any contract until it's all laid out on paper and then call your insurance company. And get an in-network price before signing any papers, if possible. Make sure you know which doctor will provide services and what their qualifications are.

9. In summary, I believe FEO's Dr. Deborah McFarland, Dr. Keith Ungar, and Andrew Schon are all guilty of:

Dr. Deborah McFarland – Did got zero results desired for my case
Note: Your results can be different from my results
Extremely high $283/visit out-of-network costs
Did not make me aware of financial options upfront (see #5 above)!

Update by 1GS
Jul 05, 2013 10:29 am EDT

Hi TedBarnes,

You are absolutely right -- was a big costly mistake - once again, things that sound too good to be true usually are!

Update by 1GS
Oct 13, 2013 7:34 am EDT

Author of original report

Many of My Thoughts and Statements About the FEO Program and the Business Operation in My Original Posting Were Incorrect.

SUBMITTED: Sunday, October 13, 2013

After reading the President’s response to my original posting, I contacted Functional Endocrinology of Ohio (FEO) and was able to resolve many of the questions I had with them.  I also learned that many of my thoughts and statements about the program and the business (that I talked about in my original posting) were incorrect.  The price I paid for my care was not typical and no patient’s care plan at FEO is the same. 

I recommend FEO as a great alternative to orthodox doctors because I personally saw the testimonial notebook of outstanding results achieved through their expertise. And as I am only one who did not get my expected results versus hundreds who got great results, it is a good choice for new clients to pursue their holistic health goals through FEO. FEO worked with me to make sure I was a satisfied customer and this has meant a lot to me. I am sure they would do the same for any new client.

So do yourself a favor and pursue FEO's health program - so you can feel and look better and be more productive and enjoy life more!

6 comments
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Muskyno1
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Jun 21, 2021 12:24 am EDT

He is a compete fraud. Stay away. He cost us 11, 000 dollars with Zero results and complete awful Professionalism. He should Be in jail!

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GSmith8705773
, US
Feb 20, 2019 12:43 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Take heed to the above comments. Dr. Ungar sees no patients himself (but doesn't tell you this in his sales presentation). He also has a QUITE A TEMPER himself when questioned about his business practices. He got me for $12, 000 because I was desperate to get well from thyroid issues. His office also REQUIRES you to do weird unrelated therapy such as a treadmill-like machines, etc--All for billing purposes. His infomercials literally make me sick when I see them. Originally touting himself as a thyroid doc, notice his latest infomercials are for joint pain. Whatever brings him the most business. I don't like spending negative energy on posts like this but at the same time I feel an obligation to tell people the truth because I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GET SCAMMED AS I DID! Buyer beware.

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GSmith8705773
, US
Feb 20, 2019 12:44 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

PS --the bad comment being retracted was likely because FEO paid the $5100 back to the victim

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Lilybeans
, US
Apr 09, 2016 9:25 am EDT

This is not a review, but rather a comment on the reviews I've read from several different sources. I was excited when a friend told me about FEO, as for the past 11 months I have been in treatment for Graves Disease, and the subsequent eye disease that often accompanies it. I'm not a big fan of Western Medicine to begin with, as it focuses on treating symptoms, not the root cause of the problem or disease. The 50+ year old method of treating Graves Disease is no different and makes absolutely no sense to me, so I am definitely looking for an alternative.

However, I'm confused as to how a medical practice with "Endocrinology" in the name of it has no Endocrinologist on board? I have nothing against Chiropractors, but how are they qualified to treat conditions affecting the Endocrine system and metabolism? So I read all the reviews I could find from several different sources, and I'm disappointed because it appears not many former patients would recommend it. Also, I've never heard of a medical practice that requires patients to sign contracts, and pay early termination fees to end treatment. If not for that part, I may have given it a try, but that was a deal breaker for me. It just doesn't smell right. I'll just have to keep looking.

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Functional Endocrinology of Ohio
Akron, US
Jul 21, 2015 4:03 pm EDT

I am so sorry to hear about Trish Ohio's experience at Functional Endocrinology. FEO's on-line reputation (only 1 bad review) demonstrates that this is very unusual. Even the bad review was retracted by the person who wrote it. Since the positive reviews on-line and on the website are in the hundreds, this seems more reliable to me. I would encourage Trish to contact our office to see if there is anything we can do to help her.

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Trish Ohio
Akron, US
Jul 08, 2015 12:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I spent $10, 000 and what a WASTE of money! I agree with your original post about it being a fraud! Snake oil saleman is what Dr. Unger is! The staff is wonderful. I too was lured by Dr. Unger's infomercial on Fox 8 Cleveland. He was charismatic during his "free" presentation. He does not work with patients, he is CONSTANTLY giving his magic show to lure you in while you are receiving treatments. PLEASE PEOPLE, I'm a professional woman who was mesmerized by the lure of being thin. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! There are multiple alternative medicine practitioners in Cleveland/Akron area who are more honest, sincere and care more about your health than $$$$$$$

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