Simon G. Tabchi, DPM

Was initially pleased with Dr. Tabchi, whom I visited for peripheral neuropathy in my feet. He was pleasant enough and ordered blood work done. I had the blood work done on 8/2/23 at one of St. Luke's labs. It wasn't until over a month later, I was looking through my insurance claims and in addition to a small fee for COLLECTION OF VENOUS BLOOD, there was another blood test under TREPONEMA PALLIDUM, which was over $200. 

This did not settle right with me, since this is a blood test for - of all things - Syphilis. I first called Dr. Tabchi's office and asked why a Syphilis test was ordered and the receptionist with whom I spoke, stated, no test for Syphilis was ordered - at least she couldn't find anything in my chart.

Next, I called St. Luke's billing, thinking it may have been a coding error in the billing department. St. Luke's billing confirmed the test was ordered by Tabchi. At this point, I was furious. To make absolutely certain it was not an error, I went to St. Luke's lab where the blood was drawn and the tech pulled up the record, again confirming the test was ordered by Tabchi.

First of all, common ethical standards dictate that ANY testing for ANY venereal disease, be disclosed to the patient, PRIOR to testing, giving the patient the option of refusal or acceptance. Not only was I not informed the test for TREPONEMA PALLIDUM was ordered, Tabchi's office, Pace Foot and Ankle Centers, PLLC, lied to me when I asked if this particular test was ordered.

When I spoke with my Primary Care physician, I told her what happened and not only did she agree it is ethically responsible to inform a patient PRIOR to testing for Syphilis, but if Tabchi kept up with medical standards, he would have discovered that testing for Syphilis was NO longer considered a viable cause of peripheral neuropathy and was old school thinking. My conclusion was, the cost of the test dictated the order and NOT a valid concern for my case. Not that I need to add this, but I have been celibate for more than 20 years and with absolute certainty, never had Syphilis (or any other venereal disease) in my 70 years.

As a retired chaplain, who worked in end-stage oncology for several decades, ethical considerations should be the main stay of ANY physician or healthcare worker. Maybe in this day and age I'm asking for too much, but I strongly suggest, if you have used Simon George Tabchi, DPM or Pace Foot and Ankle Centers, PLLC, check the tests ordered and what was billed to you or your insurance.