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SME INC USA

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SME INC USA
SME INC USA
(15 Reviews)
> Get Phone Number & Directions
5949 CAROLINA BEACH RD STE 11 WILMINGTON, NC 28412
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Consumer Feedback

(15 Reviews)
Service
2.5 star average for Service
Environment
3.5 star average for Environment
Expertise
2 star average for Expertise
Staff
4 star average for Staff
Recommended
3 star average for Recommended
Value
2 star average for Value
Had a separated shoulder and a fractured scapula. As others have posted there are 2 elements to this post:

1 - lies and deception by Medical facilities regarding insurance coverage; and
2 - bloated pricing of product by SME INC US in Wilmington, NC (+800% higher than the price on the SME Inc site)

First, I would not be crafting an email here if it weren’t for DUKE ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL in Raleigh, NC loading me up with yet another “shoulder immobilizer”; albeit, billable without my knowledge, especially after walking in there with one provided by DUKE URGENT CARE that I later found out was billable. After DUKE URGENT CARE gave me a “sky is falling” diagnosis including “get there Monday morning” and “you may need surgery” comments, I went to DUKE ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL first thing to get it looked at. After 15-20min waiting in a room, the MD walked in and quickly said 2 weeks of rest and scoffed at the seriousness of it. I was a little shocked. Further, the initial immobilizer was a slick cheap material that did not immobilize my arm/shoulder, rather everything slid around when any contact was made. Therefore, I asked the doc if there were any other options covered by insurance. Next thing I knew an assistant walked in with a different one and insisted on putting it on me. I asked a number of times and she finally said yes and confirmed no charges

Second, pricing. Sure enough, as others mentioned, I received a bill months later from SME INC USA. The invoice suggested an original cost of $87.80 with insurance paying $21.95, leaving $65.85 after insurance. Meanwhile I went to the SME INC USA site and the price was $17.75, which is $60 cheaper that what was submitted to BCBSNC. This is FRAUD, a rip off, and these folks are SCAM ARTISTS! These are relatively the same cost on Amazon.

After speaking with DUKE ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL about the ordeal they recommended I call the mgr at SME INC USA and negotiate given the findings. Therefore, I called, spoke with customer service and left several messages for the office mgr to call back over several months and never received a return call.

Am disgusted by all of this.

Before you sign off on medical supplies at your doctor's office just say no, especially if it's for SME, INC USA.
by rob xxx.xxx.41.104
September 03, 2014
Would you recommend this retail store to others?
I Already Have
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.171.56
April 12, 2014
This cie is a total ripoff!!.my husband trust the MD office who make him sign a paper for the equipement provide ( suppose to discuss the price with the customer...never did..!!).I nearly had an heart attack..when I received the bill...$ 700 for a small knee brace...that you find for max...$100...Are they...crazy...I will never accept any equipement from this cie...They should be ashame of them...!!!
by fran xxx.xxx.10.223
January 13, 2014
This company is a ripoff!! I was given a knew brace for my son's chip fracture on his knee and the doctor's office told me to sign a sheet of paper because the brace was from a 3rd party vendor. I have a high deductible plan so I knew I probably would end up owing about $100 or so. Well, I just got the bill 3 months later and SME INC, USA billed the health insurance company $707.69 for this knee brace and I now owe them $425.91 after the health insurance discount. I found the EXACT SAME knee brace online for under $100!!!! SCAM ARTISTS!!!! Before you sign off on medical supplies at your doctor's office and it's for SME, INC just say no!!!
by Jen xxx.xxx.171.34
December 18, 2013
Did this provider have an entertaining selection of waiting room magazines?
No, there weren't many to choose from
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.17.177
August 01, 2013
Had a shoulder replacement at local hospital. The hospital staff gave me a cooler unit with a pad that goes on the shoulder to keep it cold after surgery. They said, "here take this with you". No one told me it was going to cost me, no one offered a contract to sign. So 8 weeks after I get home I get a bill for $800 for this small beer cooler with a pad. Probably $30 worth of parts in it, but ok you need a profit, probably worth $50 at best. But $800? What a huge ripoff. No wonder hospital bills are so outrageous. If you are dealing with SME Inc USA you better bring a lawyer with you to the table, they don't have you health or interest at heart.
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.87.44
July 08, 2013
Were the restrooms clean at this provider's office?
Yes, I could tell they were cleaned regularly
Does this provider remember you by name?
Sometimes, but not always
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.79.117
November 06, 2012
Same as previous comments above - Ripoff! This needs zero stars. (not sure why it placed 1.5 ?) Kind of hard to choose what type of leg brace you get when you're in the emergency room with a broken ankle. If I had been able to research prices for a leg brace this would have been the LAST place I would have ordered from! This one was more than double what others had it listed for. Their prices were not fair at all. They were extremely overpriced and I felt ripped off.
by rph1 xxx.xxx.62.74
July 06, 2012
As with others that left reviews, I obtained a knee brace through my doctor's office and was instructed that I would be billed by SME after they submitted the bill to my insurance company. Four months later I received a bill for over $700! Due to a contract they had with my insurance company, they adjusted the amount to $570, for which I am responsible. I've done my research and the knee brace was available online and at other medical device providers for between $75 and $170 !! This provider is ripping us off. They did offer to let me set up payments, but the idea of paying such an outrageous price for an off-the-shelf brace is offensive.
by B5fan88 xxx.xxx.6.140
April 25, 2012
Did this provider answer all of your questions?
Yes
Was this provider's staff friendly?
Yes
Did you leave the office feeling satisfied with your visit?
Yes
Are you going to visit this provider again?
Without a doubt!
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.42.4
April 19, 2012
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Map and Directions
5949 CAROLINA BEACH RD STE 11, WILMINGTON, NC 28412