Joyce I Tatelman, MD

I’ve been a patient of Dr Tatelman for around 5 years now.
1). I can get appts when needed. When I’ve had urgent issues, the nurse/​assistant Mimi has always managed to squeeze me in to be seen
2). Dr Tatelman sits down and truly listens at appts. Her approach is not the standard one, where you feel the dr going quickly through the decision tree to get through your appt and to the next one. Dr Tatelman takes the time to listen inside and sort out what is needed. She refers me out to other practitioners as needed, and I’ve been super happy with the specialists she sent me to. She shows that she cares about patients and gives her full attention
3). Mimi is very efficient at balancing all the different directions she gets pulled by her role. She’s professional and a positive energy taking BP and vitals and history; she juggles the calendar and time needed to get me seen; she follow through on paperwork and sends on the forms when I’ve needed that (other offices usually make the patient do it, or need follow up – Mimi Gets it Done!)

The doc is fantastic, professional, responsive and very helpful. I would make her my primary in a jiffy.
However, her support staff at the office could be far better.
1. I was covered as a student under BCBS of Massachusetts and found her through their in-​network. I took my insurance card and gave it to the receptionist (Mimi) asking her if I am covered. Upon confirmation, I went ahead with my annual physical only to receive a $ 715 lab bill a month later. Turns out I was not covered. The doc helped me tremendously to reduce those charges but those dozens of calls and emails could have been avoided if the receptionist was more careful.
2. I wasn’t even informed about the office charges until I specifically called the doc’s billing center. Found out it was another $ 325. Again, the doc helped me reduce it but I had to call the billing center contact every time (got her number from the reception) to send me receipts and updates. She wouldn’t send me anything on her own. I am really not sure how patients are told of their pending charges unless they call!

Dr. Tatelman is a very nice, caring and professional doctor. I had the pleasure to have her as my point of reference for about 3 years between 2012 and 2015 while under the Cigna health plan my company offers. I met her once a year and I cannot complain about anything she did. I had some personal health issues and she was understanding. She always gave me the impression she cared in what she did. I mostly communicated with her through e-​mail and through the Elation Passport website. She typically replied within hours, if not, within the next 24. Scheduling appointments was easy. I liked being a patient of Dr. Tatelman and I would like to stay with her but my health plan changed so I had to move in a different direction. Personally, I’m not a fan of Mimi. When I talked to her I never had a good vibe and I personally don’t like to be called honey or stuff like that.

I went to Dr Joyce’s clinic for my annual preventive care end of 2013. Although I requested to have only the procedures covered under my medical insurance, I ended up receiving a medical bill over $ 700 for uncovered procedures.
My experience thereafter with the clinic to settle my insurance claims was not very pleasant. Although the clinic helped me to call insurance companies a couple of times (I called the insurance company numerous times), the clinic assistant put me on hold on the phone for several minutes in the middle of our call. During my followup calls, the assistant told me she had no time to talk to me on phone and asked me to go to clinic in person to submit simple information.
I wasted both money and time for my doctor visit last year.

Dr. T. has been my GP since Oct. 2011. Her work hours are short, but she has seen me right away whenever it was needed. She listens very carefully and contributes good insights and suggestions. I’ve also seen her use the web effectively as we talk to give her additional information on a new topic. She has told me that I can use her emergency phone number when needed. She is willing to take the central role with all my varied specialists from different practices and different towns. And, she accepts Medicare.

Making appointment was easy. The receptionist, Mimi, was super friendly. She is also good with injection. They have quite a comfortable office. The location wasn’t too bad too. It was easy to find and parking is also not an issue. I felt I made the right decision choosing Dr Tatelman. She is very friendly and attentive. I would recommend her! However, please notice that for immigration purposes, they don’t accept insurance.

Pros:
Easy to find/​close to my house
Receptionist, Mimi, was lovely
Dr Tatelman saw me on very short notice (45 mins after calling I was in the office)
Cons:
Questioned the health standards: there were urine specimins right next to the chair where I was getting blood taken (not mine). Call me crazy, but this was gross.
Dr Tatelman kept asking ME what I want her to do. I do not know… that is why I am here.
Overall, I have experienced better.

Dr Tatelman is a lovely, caring and attentive doctor who I would recommend to anyone. She saw me at short notice, called to check on me more than once and went out of her way to help me.
I was so impressed with Dr Tatelman and her super friendly assistant, Mimi, and am really glad I chose this doctor’s office! They both put me at ease when I was in pain and far from home. I would definitely return if I needed a doctor again.

Great doctor. Very calm and a very caring attitude. She listens to you and gives you many options. Her nurse assistant Mimi is a gem of a person.

I found Dr. Tatelman through the blue shield network… I am happy with her so far, seen her a few times since 2010… she is humble, seems to really care and listens attentively.
office was easy to find…
Receptionist is nice.

I’ve only seen Dr. Tatelman once, but I was really happy with the visit.
Good:
— Easy to make an appointment
— Friendly staff
— Comfortable waiting area, with women-​friendly, health-​friendly reading materials
— Decent bedside manner
— Seems actually interested in the patient as a person
— Open to any questions or concerns
— Doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry to leave
— Treats the patient as a whole person, not as a medical condition
Bad:
— Gave me a referral to a dermatologist who I hated (but she also gave me two other names, and it could be that I just picked the wrong one!)
I am glad to have found Dr. Tatelman as my primary physician and I look forward to going back to visit her.