Downtown Doctor

I have no idea if Dr. Freeman is a good doctor or not, I’m relaying my awful experience of speaking to the doctor and her front office.
These were my issues:
1. The office did not respond to my voice messages over six months to let me know my assigned GP no longer worked at this office.
Blue Cross assigned me a GP (Dr. Tham) at this office, never mind (Dr. Freeman’s office told me) that she supposedly left the state of Texas over FIVE years before.
Subsequent follow-​up: Apparently the several staff members I spoke to at Downtown Doctor made that up, since I see postings on this thread that they saw Dr. Tham in late 2014, about 1 ½ years ago. I now wonder if their telling me that Dr. Tham also left the state of Texas is untrue.
I am shocked that Dr. Freeman’s office continued to receive one voice message after another for 6 months without letting me know that the doctor I was calling had left. (Isn’t that a violation of their AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics?)
I finally reached them by pressing a non-​standard set of codes on the phone.
The office agreed to schedule an appointment.
2. They REALLY care that you be there exactly to the minute.
They told me on the phone that they would charge me $ 90 if I was 20 minutes late. I was OK with that, and would have paid it myself. That information suggested that they REALLY wanted me to be there exactly on time, but also that they would allow some leeway if I paid the penalty.
I left an hour and a half before my medical appointment to get there on time — 45 min before I should have arrived.
But I ended up very slightly late because there was no sign of the practice, no numbers on the buildings that corresponded to her address, I couldn’t find parking and the staff didn’t tell me that their office was actually perpendicular to Fifth street. Fifth Street is a one way so it found myself repeatedly driving in circles to find a parking spot so I could try to search for the office.
3. They cancelled the meeting because I was 4 minutes late.
I arrived four minutes late, but no one was at the front reception counter. When the receptionist finally arrived, she started shrieking at full volume that everyone could hear «Oh my gawd, you’re TEN MINUTES LATE!» I said no, I was four minutes late, but she was away from the front desk for the subsequent six minutes. «I was only gone for a moment», she said. «Yes, at least a six minute moment».
I upset the receptionist even further when I told her I couldn’t write small enough to answer some of the questions on the medical form, so I printed a list of very short bullets beforehand to answer those questions. Apparently you have to write everything on the form, whether it’s legible or not.
4. You have no say in the process.
The nurse took me into a room to reschedule me. I just wasn’t willing to reschedule, I figured that if the doctor couldn’t see me on that day for being four minutes late there wasn’t any point in coming back.
(On the way the Doctor came out of her office and yelled that I was unacceptably loud though I hadn’t been loud at all, it was the receptionist who shrieked).
I asked if I could sit in the waiting area in case Dr. Freeman was able to see me. I would stay out of the way and leave if not called. The nurse became distressed and assured me there was no chance the doctor would have time to see me. I said I needed to pick up my husband at the airport in a couple of hours and it would take me longer to drive home than to quietly sit in the front sitting area.
At that point, the doctor came out and told me in a very hostile way that she would not see me again no matter what the circumstances.
WTF? After insisting — they did finally return my driver’s license — but they held on to (did not return) the signed medical forms I gave them as a new patient. Since she wouldn’t see me, I didn’t consider myself a new patient. I was concerned that Dr. Freeman might use that form inappropriately. Turns out I was right (#5)
5. Dr. Freeman’s office sent me a bill me of $ 75 for the visit (as a no-​show) although I was there (4 min late) and shortly after spoke with the Doctor (twice). The first time she yelled at me although the clamor actually resulted from the receptionist shrieking.
I should mention, one of the assistants (a blonde) seemed like she might have been helpful, but I was not given the opportunity to interact with her. But she was after all an employee of this high pressure environment.
If you live in South Austin, there is a great medical center in Kyle — CommuniCare. They are efficient, competent, thorough and use the latest medical equipment /​technology. Since they have a grant, they take any kind of insurance — and if you don’t have insurance they’ll see you too, including the homeless. I understand that if you can’t afford it, that center will see you for $ 55 even if the visit requires multiple doctors and multiple tests.

The front desk staff made my first visit wonderful and incredibly easygoing, and Dr. Freeman made me feel right at home. Looking forward to my next visit!

Inertia and convenience had me returning for treatment of mild hypertension. Office staff has always been nice. Some concern with Dr Freeman’s level of professionalism and sales pressure around botox, diet supplements and the like, but not too bad. Last straw came when the Dr. F wanted to prescribe a drug I considered extreme and inappropriate and did so with very little diagnostic rigor. She was definitely rude and condescending when I said I didn’t want to take it (as has been mentioned in some reviews,) but the reason I’m writing this is because she was weirdly manipulative in setting up the recommendation and adopted a bullying attitude when I «opposed» her. I finally said I would research and get back to her, but she got personal and made demeaning and argumentative comments. She then left the room without so much as a single word. Incompetence is often arrogant and that’s definitely the case here. Beware.

I have moved a lot in the last few years, and I am so lucky to have finally found the perfect primary care, Downtown Doctor! I live in Clarksville and is so accessible and easy to get to. The staff is amazing and I never have a long wait if I make an appointment beforehand. They also have Patient Fusion set up so all of my visits, doctors notes, etc, are all found on a private and personal online profile that is very easy to access. I am glad to finally have a primary care doctor and staff in my neighborhood that I can go to for whatever ails me!

Dr. Freeman came highly recommended by an LGBTQ organization in Austin, so I made the three and a half hour drive from FW at 4AM for my first appointment. I could not be happier and more excited to have found this gem. Dr. Freeman is an incredibly kind and knowledgable person. As I’m seeing her for HRT treatment she has been remarkably respectful of me and every concern and excitement I’ve had starting this journey. She brought to light options I was unaware I had and her extensive knowledge and genuine concern for what was best for me was refreshing. The time she took to get to know myself as well as my wife let me know I wasn’t just another person in and out of her office but a patient relationship she was investing in which is unheard of these days. She’s very real and honest and it comes through in her form of communication, speaking to me and listening rather than speaking at me and just hearing because she has the MD and «knows what’s best» which is what I’ve come to find with many doctors sadly. I’m so thankful I found her and her practice and it is well worth the drive when I need to see her.

Dr. Freeman is absolutely wonderful. I can only imagine how difficult of a patient I’ve been (Dr. Freeman has had to send me to the ER a couple of times, I’m convinced she’s saved my life), yet Dr. Freeman has continued to give me compassionate care. I have had a couple issues with scheduling (I made an appointment and showed up to only find the appointment wasn’t in their system) but the office staff was always helpful in getting me in ASAP. I drive a little further just to see Dr. Freeman and her staff because they have been so wonderful to me!

Had an appointment at this office and couldn’t make it so I called 2 DAYS before my appointment to cancel my appointment and was told by the person on the phone my appointment would be taken care of. Well today I got a bill for $ 75.00 for a no show appointment. I was going to be a new patient at this facility but since they clearly can’t even cancel appointments when asked I will not be rescheduling my appointment. Not to mention the bill I got today and it says the payment is due by Monday the 11^th which is in 3 business days. Usually I feel you get more notice when you owe money.

Not sure why this place doesn’t get better reviews. I can always count on them for a quick appointment. Recently had a steroid and B12 shot and felt better within an hour!

Aaaaaaaanazing! Traveling through and her team helped me right away! Patient and caring staff! Highly recommend

I see Dr. Freeman for the occasional cold, flu, aches and pains. I find her and her staff to be friendly and very professional. She always makes time for me even on her busiest days. I’m a big fan.
Patrick K

Worst experience! The front desk lady had no clue of what she was doing. Didn’t check my insurance didn’t know what my copay was and just said she would bill me. The physician’s assistant Kelly was terrible. I knew more about medicine/​health than she did which is probably why she isn’t a MD. She immediately was recommending medicine that i needed to take today as opposed to offering a holistic approach to solving minor health issues. All in all I would say don’t go here. I was lured with the convenience of being close to downtown. Big mistake.

Every staff member I’ve encountered was friendly. I went in just for a regular check up. Doctors and nurses took their time, listened, and seemed like they genuinely cared. That being said, the doctor ran a bunch of blood work on me that she recommended and sent it to a lab that was out-​of-​network from my insurance without informing me and I ended up having to shell out a couple hundred dollars for tests that I had no plans or concerns of getting in the first place.

This place is great. I moved here from Dallas and needed to find a transgender friendly doctor to continue my HRT with. I found Dr. Freeman and decided to give her a try. First, her staff is all very friendly and seemed to really like being there. That’s always a good sign. The man who checked me in was very conversational and didn’t just treat me like a «client.» Then I addressed all my concerns and they took care of me and Dr. Freeman even gave me a comprehensive list of trans* services. It’s hard and nerve-​wracking trying to find a doctor who believes in HRT without judgement AND who’s staff addresses you with the correct pronouns and name. I highly recommend Downtown Doctor. No complaints.

Dr. Freeman and her staff have been responsive to emails, phone calls, and online messages. I’ve been dealing with a very severe, sometimes life threatening issue, for the past few weeks. Dr. Freeman has seen me and provided adequate medication and terrific advice. She willingly shares information with my other doctors and even encouraged me to continue seeing another specialist for a while. The medical assistant Hal is kind and efficient. Front desk staff is very courteous and helpful. I appreciate the service that this clinic provides along with being very convenient. I also like that they have very early (7 am) appts and also stay open later a few nites a week AND are open on Saturdays.

Overall disappointing.
Made appointment online day before and then called and they didn’t have it so had to reschedule. Online reservation system broken.
Showed up early — handed 5 xeroxed forms all with my name and address blank on them despite having filled out the basics online.
I was 15 min early. They finally got to me about 20 minutes late. Had a string of b12 shot people that walked in and got service first.
Nurse asked me string of questions. Then PA came in 10 minutes later and asked same set. Clearly had not read what the nurse had just written.
Wrote me a script for antibiotics and printed me a copy. Seemed confused when I asked if they could call it in to CVS.
Will not go back. Great location. But that’s about all.

I was so impressed by the kind and attentive staff. I came in with food poisoning and was very weak and dehydrated. The staff quickly got me a private room, tucked me in with lots of blankets because i was shivering, and gave me an IV. I had a flight that night that I couldn’t miss and they were super helpful in working through how I could avoid horrible nausea on the plane.
I was blown away by how kind and attentive the team was. Thank you!

Worst doctor I’ve ever been to. The front office staff ignored us for several minutes while filing paperwork. We waited almost an hour before the doctor came in, and since we’d both taken off from work to be there, we VERY politely let her know we actually needed to leave. She was SO rude to us that we ended up not even asking our health questions. The office staff ignored us again when we needed a piece of paperwork on the way out. They suggested we just look up lab results online instead of coming in to ask questions about them next time. Avoid avoid avoid!!!
P. s.- Dr. Freeman– I can now see after visiting here that you respond to people’s reviews with the same rudeness and condescension you speak with in person. Please don’t bother. My husband was the patient so «we have no record of you or can’t remember you» won’t fly, and the «It’s a doctor’s office… Sometimes we get behind.» doesn’t explain poor medical care.

I really wanted to love this place, especially after having to change doctors so many times due to constant moving. My first visit went well enough, but the sketchy follow up call I got from a third party telling me that Dr Freeman had ordered a laundry list of tests for me was not cool. Yes, it says on the form you fill out with ailments you’ve suffered that someone may call you, but this service told me that my doctor had ordered these. After talking to one of the nurses she informed me that Doctor Freeman had NOT ordered any of these tests nor did it say on my chart that I needed them. Sketchy. Even sketchier is the nurse that told me that these tests are a nice service and that they’re aware that some weird out-​sourced third party is calling their patients signing them up for unnecessary tests. This is one of the many problems with the health industry.
The biggest one, which I am experiencing as I pen this review, is the doctor’s blatant lack of concern for their patient’s time. I already resent the fact that I have to come into the office and pay my copay just to hear some lab results, but making someone sit in a room for over 45 minutes waiting on a doctor is absurd. Not even sending in a nurse to tell me the doctor is «running behind» is even worse, especially since I got here EARLY.
Needless to say, this will be my last visit to DT Doctor, and I’m really upset that my distaste for doctors is only growing based on my experience here.

Dr. Freeman has been my primary care physician for over 3 years. She has been an excellent resource for a variety of medical related issues from run of the mill sniffles and sneezes to more serious maladies that have called for acute diagnosis.
She has a wonderful bedside manner and takes her time explaining medical treatments and options. You will never feel like you are being rushed through the office.
One of the traits I most appreciate about Dr. Freeman is her holistic approach to treatment. She is open to suggesting alternative therapies in addition to conventional medicine. I’ve also received wonderful recommendations for specialists from her when necessary.
I have found everyone who works at The Downtown Doctor (physicians assistants, front desk personnel, etc.) to be pleasant, accommodating, professional and highly skilled at their job.
I recommend this business frequently to friends and family looking for prompt, courteous professional medical service in a calm, clean and friendly environment.

Wow was I snowballed into thinking that this was a reputable place. Ashley was wonderful but sadly she has left. I thought I had found a close convenient DR. Turns out the reviews are spot on. I went in for Botox and fillers first of all I could not see any pictures of the doctors work so that was a little scary. After the procedure I was pretty happy. At my 2 week checkup, on a Friday, I told Dr Freeman everything look great, but I was unhappy with my top lip having divots in it. she told me that I was the only one that could notice it and there was nothing wrong with it. So much for making the customer happy. Everything was fine over the weekend I woke up Monday morning and had a huge lump inside the right side of my lower lip you could tell all the filler had shifted to the bottom lip and now was in a big lump. I called the doctors office they said the Dr would not be in until Friday and no one else could help me.(I emailed them a photo of my lip) I waited for my appointment. when I arrived I told the assistant that I was unhappy with my lips and I had a huge glob of fillers inside the bottom of my lip. well she went and told Dr Friedman guess that pissed her off she made me sit there and wait for 20 minutes before she came into the room but I could clearly hear her talking and having lunch with the staff. When she came in and looked at my lip she blurted out maybe you have CANCER!
WHAT DR SAYS THAT!!!
I said, I’m not a doctor but Cancer does not appear overnight in a huge lump. She said she wanted to wait and watch it for two weeks. I said no you made the statement I want it tested. She said,“well I could stick a needle in it and suck some out «I said okay let’s do a biopsy! I also stated that I wanted my top left fixed she told me she was going to charge me $ 600 more.
I told her no I would just live with it. After I made that statement the doctor said she wanted me to be happy and she would eat the cost of the syringe and just fix my lip. AGAIN Lack of tact!
The male assistant came in to assist the doctor. She proceeded to tell him that she would fix my upper lip and have to eat the cost of the syringe she also advised that she was going to do a biopsy. Dr. Freeman went through with the biopsy even though she knew that it was filler and not cancer. After the lip it wouldn’t stop bleeding so she said she would have to put a stitch in it. The assistant advised her that he got the bleeding to stop and she said no she was going to stitch it up. she put a couple stitches in commented on how well I was doing and then she said it wasn’t tight enough she was going to do it with again. I she made sure that it was good and tight this time. Then she proceeded to take a nitrous stick and burned the entire inside of my lip, NOT just the small hole from the Biopsy. make sure you look at the photos. I did not realize the extent of the burning she did until after I left the office. When I left the room to walk up to the counter Dr Freeman called out to the girl at the front desk that she was once again eating the cost of the syringe and I had no charge for the day.
After I arrived at home and collected the mail. I received a $ 3,000 bill from the office when I was quoted $ 2100 and could make $ 100 installments! as the other reviews show the billing has been a disaster there. I called the billing department they said they were new to the account and suggested I call the office. The office quickly adjusted my bill so at least that was taken care of. As for my lip its been a week its still very sore and of course the filler still is there she did not manage to burn it all out if that’s what she was trying to do. I feel she was being vindictive because I did not like the results of my lip! She purposely burned my lip and I really feel malpractice is in order! Stay away from this place if you must go don’t piss off the doctor!
I tried to update they will not let me change the star rating. I don’t understand how the staff works in this kind of environment. Two of the Assistants clearly said that they could tell something was not right with my lips the doctor refused to admitted. its okay things happen it doesn’t always turn out perfect but don’t be rude and mean because you do not like someone being honest to you. I was also nice enough to volunteer my pictures for her to use I don’t mind telling anyone I had work done. She mentioned she would give me a discount and then I ended up receiving a $ 900 upcharge. I am grateful they took care of that. But will not return to this doctor and if you know what’s best for you neither will you.
Not sure how she’ll talk her way out of this one but I photographed and documented everything.