Sutter East Bay Medical – Oakland Pulmonary

Well, nobody wants to be at the heart doctor, whether you’re a child, an oldster, or a lower-​middle-​aged lady like me.
I visited the center for a doctor consult and some follow up diagnostic testing. I felt I got the best possible care–
A thourough pre — appointment email with instructions and directions
–Reminder call before the appointment.
–Nice receptionist
–Great medical assistants and technicians
–Doctor who listens
— comprehensive explanation of test results
I hope I won’t be coming back soon, or ever, but considering the circumstances, this was not the worst experience. I would recommend them, but really most patients are simply sent here, without a choice.
A side note: Parking is hairy on pill hill. Come early.

This place is the perfect example of «Corporate Healthcare». I’m generally a healthy person so fortunately, I don’t have to see a doctor often, but I have been reassinged doctors approximately five times since I started «visiting» this office more than five years ago. (The fact that doctors come and go so much should’ve been a red flag… so that’s my bad.) However, this group is characterized by extreme lack of communication, rude and unhelpful assistants, and doctors who just check things off on a computerized clipboard for undeserved CYA’s. They are also under the impression that refilling prescriptions is a «favor» to their patients. Bottomline, STAY AWAY from this place. This review applies to all the following doctors currently or previously working there: Tucker-​Harris, Callaghan, Malone, Carlson (whose assistant made me walk half a mile to an ER when I was bleeding out from a miscarriage. Yes, this actually really happened.), and Agbowo (I’ll address my comments on this particular doctor in a separate and personal review). You’ve been warned folks, Good luck.

This was my second time visiting someone here at Sutter (Pill Hill on the 3^rd floor) and my conclusion is that this is a really nice hospital.
Visually the hospital is seems pretty clean and the staff members have all been very welcoming and friendly to us visitors.
There is some construction currently going on which made parking harder than it already is and there could definitely be better signage advising visitors were to enter at. We actually had to walk all the way around the entire block (very big block) to enter on the emergency side of the building.

The Dr. is fine. Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation in my experience and research bills 3x what other Family Practice Dr’s charge within a 10 mile radius. I wasn’t aware the Dr. I chose was affiliated with Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation. My initial first time visit I talked with the Dr. and handed in the paperwork given to me to complete. Most of the time was spent entering the information into the computer. I was charged $ 470.00. 3 times what other Dr’s in the area NOT affiliated with Sutter charge for the same level of service. My insurance company paid approximately 96% of that billing. It was OUTRAGEOUS ! ! !. The provider is a big part of the health care problem I believe. When they become large like Sutter and buy up Dr’s practices it is harder for Insurance Companies to negotiate customary and reasonable aka (fair rates) with Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation because of the large number of Dr’s under their umbrella. They have more clout when negotiating. I have a large and good insurance company. When they can’t negotiate what is customary and reasonable rates like those being charged by Dr’s in the area NOT affiliated with Sutter WE ALL LOOSE. The rates will ultimately rise to OUTRAGEOUS for Dr. services that are NOW billing at ¹⁄₃ of Sutter Rates. I find most Dr’s are good and the only thing special about Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation Dr’s are the overpriced rates they charge via Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation. My experience of talking with other Sutter patients and to employees of Sutter is that it is common knowledge they OVERCHARGE. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME THIS WILL RAISE INSURANCE RATES. Thanks Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation. I also sat in a focus group put on by Sutter. HIGH BILLING was the biggest topic of discussion. They pretty much would smile and pass over it.
WE NEED REGULATIONS THAT KEEPS THESE FOUNDATIONS FROM CORNERING THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND OVERCHARGING.