James Kong, MD

Made an appointment because my allergies were a mess. To the point where I was losing my voice. Dr. Kong was nice, but of course, the solution was to hand me more prescriptions.
Two stars because I asked about an allergy test, but was only willing to do it if it was no more than X amount. He said sure, he’ll charge no more than X. Imagine my surprise when I got the bill and was charged a few hundred MORE than what was agreed upon. Bait and Switch at it’s finest. If it costs more than X, just say it and let the patient decide if it is worth the cost. The test was NOT worth the cost. I paid hundreds of dollars to learn that I am allergic to cats. An hour at my friend’s house already told me that.
So I get the bill in the mail but it only gives the option to pay by check. I wanted to pay with a credit card so I was told I needed to go in person. Called to ask if they were open on Saturday, receptionist said yes. Go in on Saturday and the office was closed. Left work early on a Wednesday and arrived at the doctor’s at 4:30. Closed again! Had to take a day off work just to pay my bill. What a crappy experience.

Very happy with Dr Kahn. I recently switched to his care and am quite pleased. Very knowledgeable and little waiting, he sees me within 5 minutes of our scheduled time.

Made a 4:30 apt waited 45 minutes in a room to see the doctor for a total of ten minutes for him to completely ignore what I was in there for, he focused on my weight made me feel terrible and $ 100 later told me to start juicing.
He doesn’t listen or care.
They don’t accept covered California (Obama care) don’t spend $ 100 to get 10 minutes of this doctors time. It’s a waste. Wish I could get a refund.

Dr Kong has been my Dr for approximately 10 years. Lucky for me I am very healthy. I see him annually for a physical and blood work. Recently I became sick and needed to see him. The unfriendly staff at the front desk asked me If I had the same insurance I said I recently went to medicare. I was told they would no longer see me. They were not taking medicare patients. After I recovered from the shock I asked her to have him call me. Of course he did not. If you need a Doctor choose one who really cares.

Dr. Kong is my family’s allergist and he’s very knowledgeable and patient with us.

Dr. Kong is awesome! He’s friendly, honest, knowledgeable, & takes his time with his patients. Thanks dr. Kong!

I’ve been with Kong for a while now and he’s a great doctor! He’s friendly, knowledgable, and will go the distance for his patients.
My only complaint? The office staff!
They’re not the friendliest bunch, but honestly that doesn’t bother me much. What bothers me is they don’t communicate very well. There’s been too many times where they should’ve told me valuable information (like test results) and I never got anything. Or recently I had to keep bugging them about sending papers over to a specialist. My job is not to bug you. I went to the office recently because I never heard from them or the specialist and they assured me everything was sent. I called the specialist, ends up they can’t take me as a patient and told the office that.
I’m getting really fed up with them. It’s a shame a good doctor like Kong has staff like that.

Called 3 times to ask the doctor a question. Left 3 messages. Never got a response. So either the doctor is too busy or the receptionist didn’t give him the message. Either way, that’s no way to treat patients. Will never go back.

A little more than a year ago I had a headache and stomach pains. Both felt throbbing and not stabbing so I didn’t see a doctor for two days. I figured I had the flu. When I did go to James, he pressed down on my abdominal area and figured out I had appendicitis. A quick MRI at another hospital confirmed it and I had an operation.
Fast forward to today and I have a bacteria infection. White spots in the back of my throat. I went to the nearest hospital and they thought it was cancer and ordered a bunch of unneeded tests with no antibiotics. When I got phenomena, I went straight to James. He looked at the back of my throat, did some flash light tests for my eyes, looked in my ears, checked for abnormal bumps in my abdominal area and I think he even smelled my breath and figured out where the infections were. He ordered meds specific to where the infections were. Lungs, eye and throat. He even gave me a coupon for one of the meds he prescribed.
I can’t speak about other experiences but he was always well rested (not sleepy) and solved my problems 3 out of 3 times. (confirmed right twice with expensive equipment, once with an MRI and another with a bacteria culture test ordered by a doctor I saw before him). He is too the point (fast in figuring out the diagnoses), cost effective (no machines, just his senses) but best of all he makes the right diagnosis. Kind of like an episode of house mixed with macgyver but only 15 mins long.
It was a 40 dollar co pay and the meds were 45 bucks with the coupon with really crappy individually bought insurance (at walgreens) for my lung infection.

Never come here! The girl at the front desk is one of thee rudest individuals I have ever encountered. We had to leave and go to the ER room because I couldnt stand how she was treating me and my poor husband. Second time here and both times got the same horrible rude service. If you hate your job so much QUIT!!! So angry after leaving here! Never again!!!

3÷20÷2013 6:15pm
I noticed that all the negative reviews were from years ago and maybe Dr. Kong was reading them!
I had a great experience with the front desk and with Dr. Kong.
I called and was easily able to make an appointment! Actually getting a person on the phone without being put on hold or going to an answering service.
Front desk person (short+Asian) was very helpful and informative with all my questions.
Dr. Kong is a fairly younger doctor compared to the white-​haired and wrinkled ones that I’ve had before
He actually had a personality!!!
He was attentive to all the issues I had, and resolved every issue and if he didn’t he gave me advice and pointed me to the right direction.
I DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND, Because now everyone will want to go to him causing me not to make an appointment as easily!
HAha.

I origannly choose Dr. Kong because of his last name. At the time my dentist was Dr. Fong, my eye Dr. Wong and my hair stylist a mr. Long. It seemed fitting. Dr. Kong is a very impressive doctor. I have never felt more informed and at peace with a doctor in my life. He takes the time to explain every situation in detail and answer all my questions thoroughly. He is also personable and friendly. When I had an emergency, he took extra time to fit me in his schedule. You can’t go wrong with Dr. Kong. No rhyme was intended.

I am surprised that there would be any negative reviews here regarding Dr. Kong and his staff. I have had Dr. Kong and ocassionally his partner as my primary care physicians for about two years now. One of the first things that jump out at you about both is that they are very brilliant doctors who seem to keep abreast of the medical field (tests, new research, etc.). They listen very well, give referrals when required and spend the time necessary to help you. Many doctors talk at you and down to you especially if they are unable to diagnose you and these doctors do not. The office staff has always been friendly, helpful and accomodating. I am an RN and have recommended other co-​workers who end up being equally satisfied with Dr. Kong, his colleague and his office staff.

Dr. Kong has been a very good, and detailed doctor with me. I am a very picky person and like to complain alot and luckily he’s very patient with me. I love how he cares for his patient! i give it two thumbs up and def would refer him to everyone!

I have to agree with Babbette and Sharon’s reviews. I have no doubt that Dr. Kong is a competent physician. But his customer service leaves much to be desired. From my first contact I heard little more than how I would pay. I have insurance and this doctor is in my network. I gave the office my insurance ID and then when I came to the office with a raging bronchitis I was told that I would have to put down a $ 160 deposit since my policy has a deductible. I told them that I couldn’t do that. So the office person asked me if I wanted to reschedule. I told her that I was seriously ill and had to see the doctor. They agreed to «waive» this «office policy» and I went in to see the doctor. And, guess what, he reiterated the «office policy» before proceeding with the exam. I left with a prescription and a bad taste in my mouth (metaphorically). I understand the need to get paid but when money takes the foreground above all else I have serious ethical questions. I felt insulted and I will report this to my insurance company. One of the reasons I chose an «in network» doctor is so I wouldn’t have to pay up front. I will not be returning here and I will not recommend this doctor to anyone.

I’m looking at Babette’s review and wondering if we could actually be talking about the same place.
I’ve been going to Dr. Kong (and occasionally his partner Dr. Lam) for over a year. They are both friendly and helpful, and the best part by far is their availability. They are open until 7 PM most days, and given that most of the world works for a living, it’s great to have doctors with hours beyond 9 – 5! And if you need an appointment, they will almost always see you either that day or the next. Contrast that to where I used to go in SF, where my doctor was so UNavailable that I had to go to the walk-​in clinic just to be seen while I was still actually sick.
Their staff, while not overly friendly, is definitely efficient, and I’ve never had a problem with them of any kind. Seems to me like they do what they are supposed to do.

Surprisingly flexible hours/​availability, parking is a breeze, the office itself is new, and the doctors aren’t terrible; I’ve been for a couple of basic things over the last year or so and they were okay. But recently they refused to answer a simple follow-​up question I had about a prescription unless I paid my co-​pay for a full office visit, which was absurd. Needless to say, they will never see another co-​pay from me again.

I like the fact that this place can get you in for an appointment when you need it, including same day. My husband and another couple on the island have also had this experience. They work evenings and weekends. It’s so great!
Anyway, I went in with what turned out to be a broken foot. The receptionist was really polite and friendly. She even handed me their card with two hands which I had learned long ago in China as a sign of respect.
Dr. Kong was so friendly. He sent me right off to get an xray of my foot which he thought was only sprained cause I was so tough about it (he told me later). When we found out it was broken, he called us back to the office and had prepared a referral for a foot expert and several relevant scripts. He did this even though he had to stay late to meet with us.

I found Dr Kong as I had a severe allergic reaction to SOMETHING a couple of months ago and was able to see me quickly and after normal doctors hours.
he helped me uderstand what was happening with my body even though the cause could not be determined and was unafraid of ordering all sorts of tests as well as getting me the scripts that I needed. Still need to get a scratch test done, but prepared me that there was not going to be a quick fix as it can’t be determined what the casue was
they even sent me a check for a copay that I apparantly didn’t need to pay after several visits. how often do doctors give you money back???

So, went to Dr. Reid in the city, who also deserves all his 5-​star goodness on Unilocal,but needed to find somewhere to get allergy shots (In the East Bay) without paying parking and bridge toll a ton of times… and voila!
Went to Dr. Kong without any prior info, just b/​c he’s on the insurance website, and he’s the *bomb*, people. Super nice, efficient staff, doesn’t keep you waiting, his specialty is Pediatric and Adult Allergy & Immunology, and Internal Medicine. So he knows what the hell’s going on.
He personally called my insurance to argue billing with them, thereby reducing my cost; AND they’re open weekend and evening hours, people! What more do you want? Oh, and he does Chinese community medical outreach stuff, too. How tight is that? And all of this, right next to Trader Joe’s and all the consumerisma that is South Shore center in Alameda…
Mad, mad props all around.