I first received treatment at Penn Medicine in 2020 through a first-responder program while I was a police officer, to address mild depression. At that time, the experience was adequate and I felt it was helpful.
In 2025, I returned to Penn Medicine for a very specific and limited purpose: to obtain a risk assessment that my former spouse had requested in family court related to visitation with my children. Penn Medicine advised me in advance that they could provide this assessment.
Once admitted, however, my experience was entirely different and deeply concerning. I have cirrhosis and arrived with medications that had been properly prescribed by my specialist. I was not permitted to take my own medications and was instead given medications supplied by the facility, which I was told were equivalent. After approximately three days, I became seriously ill, experiencing severe cramping and other symptoms. I reported this to staff. By day five, due to continued illness, I refused to take any further medication provided by the facility.
When I informed staff that I wished to leave because I was not receiving appropriate medical care, I was told that discharge would take 48 hours. I agreed, but asked when the promised risk assessment paperwork would be completed. I was again assured it would be ready upon discharge.
After eight days, I was abruptly told I was being discharged that same day, without prior notice. I was handed discharge paperwork and instructed to sign it without reading it. I refused and began reviewing the document.
The very first line falsely stated that I was admitted for substance abuse. This was completely untrue. I demanded it be corrected, and it was removed. Further review revealed another false statement indicating I was admitted for severe depression, which was also untrue. I again insisted this be corrected, as my sole purpose for admission was a risk assessment.
Additionally, while admitted, I reported pain. I declined pain medication and explained that I do not take pain medications. When asked what I use for pain, I disclosed that I have a legal prescription for medical marijuana, which I had not used in months. Despite a toxicology report showing no THC in my system, my discharge paperwork labeled me with “cannabis disorder” and later “continuous marijuana use,” both of which were false.
After nearly two hours of repeatedly correcting inaccurate and misleading discharge documentation, I ultimately signed the paperwork simply to leave, with the intention of addressing the errors later. At no point was I provided the promised risk assessment or my toxicology report.
I specifically instructed the provider not to prescribe any medications upon discharge and stated I would follow up with my regular physician. Despite this, the day after discharge I received a notification from CVS indicating that seven prescriptions had been issued by Penn Medicine, including medications I had already discontinued. It appears the provider simply renewed medications from my chart without authorization or medical necessity.
I find this conduct unethical and potentially fraudulent. My experience strongly suggests patients are being retained and treated in ways that prioritize billing rather than appropriate care.
Based on my experience, I strongly caution others against seeking care at this facility. I am currently pursuing legal remedies. If you care about someone’s well-being, I urge you not to place them here.
Good luck, and God bless.