Scripps Polster Breast Care Center

NO complaints on the service provided — but ridiculous billing practice!!!
when you collect pre-​payment upfront — there should be clear indication as to what the patients are paying for (facility charge of $ 5300 for one hour procedure?!?) and then physicians charges are billed separately and no accountability as to how to best clear up the multiple duplicate bills patients are bombarded with?
the billing headache causes more stress than the entire medical episode for me :(

My doctor sent me here for extra testing on my left breast after having my first mammogram. This place specializes in breast care so I was in good hands. Everyone was very kind and understanding. When you get called in, they set you up in the dressing room where they ask you to change into a pink gown (top only) and lock your valuables in lockers. There’s a bunch of dressing rooms, a bathroom, a vanity table and lockers. It’s a safe place. Once you change, they ask you to wait in their lounge. The lounge has magazines, a coffee/​tea station, and chairs/​couches. I had to get a left breast mammogram which I received results almost instantly. The doctor who was reviewing my scans wanted further testing so I had to get an ultrasound. Both technicians were nice and explained the process very well. The doctor even came in after my ultrasound to explain what he saw and that I would be fine.
As for the parking structure, take your ticket with you to pay at the kiosk. I forgot to do that but the parking attendant let me pay on my way out. I was there for about over an hour and it was $ 4 to park.

The facilities are beautiful and the staff is wonderful. My only complaint is the lack of space for utilizing a breast pump. I was referred here 6 weeks postpartum. As a nursing mother I was told to bring my pump and use it right before the ultrasound. They suggested I retreat to the bathroom to do so. Gross! The only bathroom with an electrical outlet was occupied so I inquired about using the changing room. I was able to do so, stringing my power cord under the curtain and sitting on the floor, definitely less than ideal. For such a state of the art facility, catering to women, a private space for nursing should have been a consideration.

I am not sure what to write because I think the facilities and people who work there are great. What is upsetting is that I recently had some procedures done here since they are in network with my insurance company. The explanations of benefits sent from my insurance clearly says I am only responsible for $ 500 for the day (20% coinsurance). I have been waiting for my bill from Scripps for the last 4 months and finally received it. Upon opening it… I was shocked that it was for nearly $ 4000! This makes no sense because I have great insurance which is in network with them and therefore I receive a discounted rate negotiated by my insurance and which my insurance pays 80% of. Not sure if this facility is balance billing (bringing in out of network providers and not telling the patient) but that sucks if they are. Be warned and make sure to ask that all of your doctors, radiologists, nurses, and labs used are in your insurance network or you may get stuck with a hefty bill. I suppose this could be a billing error, and I definitely plan to dispute it but what a hassle! By the way, I am an office manager at a medical office and I know how insurance works. I imagine others don’t and therefore pay their bills without question and that is why I am writing this review. Please check all of your bills and match them to your insurance statements! Hopefully, my bill was just an internal billing error, I will update as soon as I find out.

Disappointed, I decided to go to the Scripps Poster breast care center after reading the reviews because they were mostly positive. Having a mammogram is a very personal thing and especially when you are having concerns it makes you even more apprehensive/​nervous. I mean who likes a stranger touching your boobs right? Well my experience wasn’t anything like the reviews. I would compare it to herding cattle. From the second you walk in the door it’s like they are trying to move you through a assembly line. I didn’t really mind the front desk assembly line, they were at least pleasant. However, once I went back for the actual mammogram the technologist was very stern, trying to be fast and asked me a question and when I explained to her that I had been having a breast issue she never even asked a follow up question, never wrote a thing down and never even asked what breast hurt or how long. She was just like «ok». She made me feel like I was just a name on a task list that she was trying to hurry through. Sorry for the long review but if you don’t want to be herd like cattle or want to feel comfortable and helped through this scary process I would not choose this facility.

Making THIS trip for every woman who can (and ALL should be able to — insurance or NOT), is extremely overwhelming, frightening and completely unnerving. That being said, this atmosphere is ALMOST spa like with a lounge area and very fast mammography films done with calming and very qualified mammography technologist. I’ve been completely relaxed and VERy happy with ALL of my visits and most of all — my results.

I sent a relative to Polster Center knowing they had a blood active growth. Not only was a LETTER SENT NOT A PERSONAL CALL, it stated the scan noted cancer. No follow up at all was done. Two weeks later another letter was sent saying ’ wrong date’ negative findings –return in a year. The records from her original Dr. were not evaluated after 2 attempts to confirm pathology. Shame on the system for allowing such a thing to occur. My relative now has to start over while this mess is cleared up with the Doctors and Insurances WHILE THE LUMP CONTINUES TO GROW. By the way, she asked for an ultrasound and was denied this. That may have helped us get somewhere.

I just had a routine mammogram appointment, but clearly this center does a great job of reassuring women who come to the center for many reasons. Started off with a volunteer welcoming me to the center and walked me through the process and assisting me to get where I needed to go. The staff here are kind and competent.

They do do it like it should be done, treating you with compassion and like you are a (female) human being. I was terrified to get my first mammogram. I had been through a wrenching period in which my mother became ill and died, and then a beloved colleague was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer; she passed away much too soon at age 52. I couldn’t bring myself to face the mammogram and put it off again and again out of fear. I wish I had done it long before I turned 50 and was terrified I had waited too long, which made it all worse. I heard about Polster and called to make my appointment there. The women on the phone were so great, patiently explaining the whole thing to me and answering all my questions, even assuring me I could call back and talk to them about this at any time. When I arrived, the women working there and the soothing environment helped me stay calm. The technician was an absolute angel. Her relaxed, serene, kind demeanor and reassuring words really helped me get through the whole thing. It was absolutely not painful for me. It was over fast. I lived in fear of a callback for two days and was overjoyed to receive the letter a week later saying the mammogram was normal and to come back next year. I will, because Polster made it possible for me to get over my fear and take care of myself like we all need to do. Though don’t wait as long as I did!

Now I understand the meaning of «Quality Care.» This is a first class facility. With the best ever staff. Stellar staff! From the second you walk in to the moment you leave. It is better than most of the spa’s I’ve been to. This isn’t even a spa! The staff are pleasant, respectful, professional and they make you feel like they’re a long lost relative. This staff really understands the meaning of customer service. When you hear 1^st class ticket on a plane or VIP treatement. People expect to be treated like some celebrity and most of the time they fall short. The Polster Staff is above that. It’s more like Presidential treatment. The facility is just so soothing and welcoming. The jazz music softly playing, the ample comfortable seating. It’s like walking into an inviting home. It really is. There’s an awesome wall art water feature. The changing room reminds me of like a broadway stars dressing room. Yours for the visit. Individual lockers with keys & the key ring is a heart. The attention to detail throughout the facility is 5 star status. It gets better! The patients get pink robes then sit in the waiting room which is stocked with a good variety of quality magazines and a variety of teas & coffee’s to help yourself. Then when you get called in the exam rooms those are also warm and comfortable. Temperature wise and throughout the process the patient is guided thoroughly through. Conversations are carefully listened to and every question answered. There’s also free 10 minute massages available and a gift shop. Amazing gem in La Jolla

Simply the best, better than all the rest. Radiologist, Technician, Staff, Facilities, Expertise all stellar. They are knowledgeable, respectful, courteous and thorough. If you need to you can even talk to your radiologist. The Facillity is designed to be peaceful, soothing and inviting. Their changing rooms are better than Nordstroms. And a free massage after your mammogram. This is medicine as it should be practiced. Tell all your friends this is the best Mammogram staff and facility I have encountered in over 30 years.

I have been going here for several years now and it is great place. I have had three mammograms when I had to go back as the computer found things it did not like; that is scary, but everyone is really nice and even these call backs are done nicely, except they call on Fridays sometimes so you have the whole week end to worry, the tech stated that she has asked for the staff not to call on Fridays but they do anyway. The call backs are worrysome but it is better to go back and have some additional tests ran then not to have found anything and then find out there was something that was missed, so a little inconvenience for more peace of mind is good. The wait is short from the time you walk through the door until you leave the building. It may not be the most pleasant thing to look forward to year to year but Polster makes it more enjoyable and tolerable, there is no need to avoid this testing due to the thought of the testing. It is only accomplished by women who they themselves have this done to them also. So go and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, a nice tasting mint, and a massage if you have the time and look at it as a short period of time to do somthing for yourself.

This is a great center for routine mammograms. However, if something is abnormal the staff do not give the patients complete information. I was given a choice of a 6 month follow-​up mammogram or a biopsy. I was not told that a 6 month follow up mammogram is standard after a biopsy. I should have been given the choice of a 6 month follow-​up mammogram or a biopsy with a 6 month follow-​up mammogram. I would have chosen to just have the mammogram then. The physician would not give me a reason for why a 6 month follow-​up is necessary if everything is benign. He just kept saying «it’s standard.»
I was also not told that a titanium clip would be permanently placed in my breast until I was already up on the operating table. Some women have complained that these clips have moved on them. I think this center purposely steers women towards biopsies, when a follow-​up mammogram is less invasive and cheaper.

Wonderful facility! BEST place I have ever gone to for a mammogram! The facility is warm, supportive with a kind, professional staff. What a fantastic change for the better as far as medical offices go! Hurray for Polster! You’ve done a great job here!

I’ve had my mammogram twice here. Excellent experiences both times. One of the most comfortable and peaceful waiting areas you’ve seen. The employees and volunteers (yes, volunteers) are very nice and helpful. My mammogram technologist both times did a professional job both times and treated me with dignity. Definitely going to keep coming here, and also very happy with Scripps. My ob/​gyn is in the same building and also very happy with her.
Scripps is doing something right. I have also tried Sharp Rees Stealy and there is a big difference. I can’t put my finger on it, but Scripps seems very well run and they seem to keep their employees happy, investing in them and their patients, whereas Sharp Rees Stealy feels like they cheap out on everything to save money and so they come across as just wanting your money and you feel treated like a number rather than a patient. All i know is I’m sticking with Scripps (as long as they keep doing a great job).

First off Guys get out of here– you have no idea what a scary, uncomfortable, dreaded thing it is to go and have your boobs squished between glass plates.
In the past the places I went just made it worse– they were cold & sterile & rude & horrible
Polster isn’t exactly fun but it’s a nice relaxing spa like place & they give you tea and a back massage and a pink Teddy bear
And they treat you with warmth
I still dread going but they make it as pleasant as they can.

OK, so if I have to have someone manhandle my boobs (for non-​pleasurable reasons), this is the ONLY place I will go…
When you walk through the front doors, you are immediately greeted by a friendly grandmotherly volunteer. The next stop is check-​in with a member of the admin staff. Then, it’s over to the small waiting room, which is filled with books and a computer (in case you are going thru Unilocal withdrawals). I’ve never had to sit here long, because they quickly usher you back to the dressing room where they hand you a cloth (not paper!) gown. The interior waiting rooms are well stocked with tea and coffee. You won’t be sitting here long before someone comes to offer you a CHAIR MASSAGE! Oh yeah, I forgot… then, you get a mammogram. But after that you can stop into the boutique for some retail therapy to make you forget that your boobs were just manhandled. My kinda place…

This place is great. I always feel really comfortable. I would recommend this place to anyone needing to get a breast ultrasound or mammogram.
The changing rooms are nice and have little ammenities. The waiting room has soothing music and tea, coffee and ice water.
I haven’t been there when they have been giving the back massages but i have heard good things.
I highly recommend this place.

I cannot believe I am writing a review on my experience having a mammogram.
I’m over 40 (shhhh … don’t tell anyone).
Gotta take care of myself. Women get breast cancer and the fellas get prostate cancer. I urge y’ll to take care of yourselves, too. Nothing is more important than early detection and YOUR HEALTH!
Back to the review … sorry I do care! Too many dear friends and family have been diagnosed with illnesses (some early enough to fix, some not).
Okay, really, the review … I walked in to a smiling staff member. She directed me to the waiting area. Only sat for about 2 minutes then got to check-​in with a real person. I was given only two short pages of info to fill out but she helped me, very kindly.
Then, I was personally escorted back with a tour of the facility. A gift shop on the right, a water fountain in front, a locker room with individual lockers and changing rooms. I was given my very own robe. WAIT … am I at a spa or getting a mammogram???
Then, I waited in another lovely waiting room with tea, lovely lighting, sound of water fountains, and healing/​relaxing colors for the technician to call on me. AND she did.
When we got into the exam room. It was warm. No ‘pert’ nipples exposed. Tee hee hee. The exam was quick, efficient, painless and not really all that embarassing.
Before I knew it, the exam was over. She asked if I would like a complimentary back massage before I left. Are you kidding? Of course, I would LOOOOVE it. Wait. this is a mammogram appointment, right? The massage was so nice! Didn’t know if I was supposed to tip, though!
Lastly, I walked out and asked if there was anything else I needed to do before leaving. Her response? «No, just have a magical day.»
She was right … it was magical. Blessings to everyone who donated, built, inspired, volunteered, and make this such a pleasant experience!
I can honestly say that I am looking forward to my next mammogram. What has this world come to?