Tim Fitzer MD

This practice has progressed its facility and management over the past 8 years. But consistently, the owner has been focused on quality. Tim Fitzer, MD reads his journals and implements new ideas each year. I really enjoy my annual physicals. The meetings are comprehensive, and referrals are high quality. Also, Tim Fitzer understands sports medicine, so he is on top of musculoskeletal disorders and referrals. My wife likes him too. He speaks Thai, and so she gets to enjoy her first language and this adds trust. It also helps that she had severe back pain that Dr. Fitzer helped with a single injection of anti-​inflammatory medication — good work! This facility has evening and weekend appointments. The staff is diverse. Location is good — centrally located in Berkeley, with good parking. Thumbs up.

I doubt their ethics as a medical practice. I need to pick up my Dad’s medical exam letter for his immigration application after I went to their office with him for three times. I was told the letter I signed on his behalf was not acceptable, which I respected their being strict about things like this. They told me the letter signed by himself should be sufficient. I drove back home and my Dad wrote a new letter with his own signature. When I handed the new authorization letter in, they said the signature does not match. I was totally floored. I just drove back and forth to get it. Why would anyone on this planet to get a forged signature? I was there with him three times to get the medical exams, TB test, and vaccination done. I paid for all the bills for him. Come one this is for immigration only and all Dr. Fitzer did was to check his ear, mouth, back and muscle strength. No secrete is going to leak out to me since the letter is signed and sealed for USCIS to open.
What else do you want me to do? I wanted them to recheck the signatures since I am 8.5 month pregnant and do not want to go through this again. They refused and insisted the signatures did not match.
I was upset and fainted in their office. I fell onto the floor and could not stop shaking when I woke up. NO ONE HELPED ME. NO ONE ! When I woke up, I overhead the voice of a doc, probably Dr. Fitzer asking what’s wrong. But again he did not bother to walk to me and check to make sure I was OK. Believe it or not, the office manager asked me «ARE YOU PREGNANT ?» I am due in a few weeks and there is absolutely no way for me to hide the bump !
It was crispy clear that I would not get help from this place, I struggled to get up, left and went to my OB, who put me into hospital immediately.
Sadly, I have to share a few of my thoughts after this:
1. They are very strict about protecting themselves.
2. Do NOT expect they will help you if you are in a severe medical situation.
3. The medical practice needs to recheck the ethics guideline as what a humane practice should do.

Saw Dr. Fitzer because was required to see this Doctor before getting our chest X-​rays for the Australia Work Holiday Visa. Wasn’t very happy about the price tag ($ 300 each), and all the doctor did was basically verify our paperwork was in order. But here is why I am giving a «poor» rating: We were then told it would cost $ 50 each to mail all our paperwork to Australia. We had two x-​rays (me and my wife) so we asked if they could mail them together so we could save $ 50. They told us «No, we are required to mail them separate.» Fair enough. So we paid $ 50 each ($ 100 total) to have them mailed separately. I then followed up 3 days later to get a tracking number. Turns out they mailed only ONE package with both of the information together. What a joke. I feel totally scammed out of $ 50 by them. They refused to do anything about it. They gave some bogus excuse about the weight of 2 CDs making it cost $ 100. I don’t buy it for a second, and I can’t believe they do things like this. Again, everything Dr. Fitzer did was fine, but the way they handled the paperwork and mailing was extremely unethical, and the doctor is responsible for these things.

The office is an incredible dump… dingy, dirty and uncomfortable. It shows such a basic disrespect for the patients and that is mirrored in the practice. Medical assistants are rushed, unavailable on the phone and do not call back at all sometimes. Dr. Fitzer is variable… seems knowledgable but slightly weird. You can do much better elsewhere.

I don’t know about the other reviews, and I am just speaking from my personal experience, but I have always had a great experience with Dr. Fitzer.
Yes, he is a bit on the playful side, but it’s just his natural humor. But if you would prefer your doctors to be more professional/​less playful, then no, Dr. Fitzer is not for you.
But he genuinely does care about you. I had an insane case of food poisoning, and he immediately scheduled me in with just 40 minutes notice. I went in and puked all over his office, but he did not mind at all and was extremely understanding. He was very concerned for my well-​being and let me rest in a room while I waited for my anti-​nausea shot to kick in. He checked in with me every 5 minutes to see how I was handling the shot, and even after the required 30 minutes were up, he said I could stay however long I wanted until I felt physically ready to leave. I truly appreciated his kindness, especially after I had projectile-​vomited all over his furniture.
Both in that experience and previous ones, he has been a good listener and a caring doctor. I have never needed him for serious/​life-​threatening diagnoses, so I cannot speak on that front. But for the general well-​being checkups/​visits that I see him for, he has been a great doctor.

I’ve been a patient at the Berkeley Family Practice for 15years now. Despite their negative reviews I feel that the doctors are knowledgeable and capable of treating patients. I admit in the past I’ve had some issues with the front staff occasionally but they’ve always been resolved. I use to see Dr. Jacintho but after a recent injury had to be seen as an emergency by Dr. Fitzer. Both doctors were friendly and knowledgeable but the difference between them was Dr. Fitzer makes you laugh about you’re medical problems. He’s a little sarcastic using questions to see if what he’s telling you is actually sticking. I know a lot of people who reviewed negatively had problems with the front staff but I would say don’t judge a book by its cover. The assistants are very nice and actually remember you when you come in. They put you at ease when you’re medical problems may seem disastrous.

I read the reviews and decided to go to this office despite many negative comments. BIG mistake! I was treated with complete disrespect by the ladies behind the receptionist desk. There was an issue with my insurance which I explained had happened in the past and I very politely explained and asked them to call again. They very rudely said NO they would not. If I wanted to be seen I would have to pay the ridiculous office visit fee. Knowing this was a mistake I called my insurance and asked them to call the office. They still did not believe me and called a second time to verify that indeed I was telling the truth! It was absolutely disrespectful and RUDE that they would not call a second time when I asked and explained the situation! We just moved back to Berkeley and are looking for a Family GP. This will not be our choice! As a side note: the place is filthy as well! Do not waste your time with the extremely unprofessional staff!

Stay away! This clinic is NOT a good example of how patients should be treated.
I made an appointment to be seen on a Saturday. I was asked for, and paid $ 150 (even though I have Blue Shield Insurance, and the negotiated rate is less than this by about $ 70). They refused to accept checks, and I gave them cash, expecting a receipt. They gave my a generic receipt that did not even have the clinic name on it, and refused to write in that this was a medical consultation. I knew that I would need this receipt when dealing with my insurance company.
Long story short — the office staff decided that even though we had a contract (they booked an appointment, I showed up and was prepared to see the doctor), that they could refuse service to me. Yes — shocking but true — the office girl «Mickie» made this decision, not the doctor.
Doctors cannot dump patients who they have contracted to treat without giving sufficient notice, and they cannot do it in a way that is discriminatory.
This conduct is not only unethical, but clearly unlawful.
Although the harm was not significant (I was merely out of blood pressure medication), I intend to report this clinic to the Medical Board.

Dr. Fitzer is a great health care provider. He provides what most doctors do not now a days. He listens. With this, he is able to provide personal solutions. He is also a very practical physician. He is not one focused on the short term, feel good, get you out of my office and see as many folks as possible types. He is focused on long term care. He is honest and will tell you if the root of your health issues are your personal behaviours. He won’t prescribe just to make you happy. This is what a doctor should be.
He doesn’t get four starts is because the facilities are pretty dated.
Then again, i’m there for health and not for décor.
I’ve recommend Dr. Fitzer to my friends.

Dr. Fitzer filled out my US Green Card medical form incorrectly. This ended up delaying my application and putting me in a difficult situation with my immigration status. If you need a certified civil surgeon to do your immigration health check do not go to Berkeley Family Practice.

Tim is a pretty nice guy but I couldn’t take him as a GP. I had complained of very frequent heartburn and all he would tell me is to lose weight (I could lose a few but I’m not exactly fat either) and wouldn’t elaborate on what symptoms I should keep my eye on etc.
Also I was sleeping at 8pm for work and had occasional insomnia, he told me to try the over-​the-​counter stuff and wouldn’t even give me an emergency supply of the good stuff.
One time he was out when I had a flu like thing so I saw Ako Jacintho instead at the same place, he is young and less experienced but I trust him much more. The 2 stars are for Tim only.

A very nice guy and quite funny. A huge improvement over the loopy Vietnamese ex-​US Army doctor who he replaced several years ago.
I find the office staff to be very nice but somewhat disorganized. Every time I need to get my wheelchair fixed seems to turn into a months long fiasco of confusion and fingerpointing between this office, my insurance and the wheelchair place. A drag.

Doctor Timothy Fitzer comes as close to a hometown country gentleman that we all know as «Doc.» He has always treated me with respect and courtesy. He always observes my appoint times with him with complete, undivided and devoted attention. There were times when my appointment time was delayed, even up to an hour once. I confronted him about the tardiness, which he gave me a reasonable explanation. «Look,» he said,” I’m a doctor and some appointments are more important than others, like when the patient is an emergency.” He was right. So, I stopped being miffed when I realized that I wasn’t always his first emergency. That’s when it occurred to me that we as a community rarely give these people credit where credit is due them. So let me discusse his office protocol, his staff and the needy patients I see in the waiting room.
Observing that his office staff has to work in a confined area, they dealing with mountains of administrative work, around incredible stacks of files that one only hope never sees an earthquake. These busy bees never seem to loose anything, regadless of all distracting machines humming, drumming and whirring in the background. It buzzes in a constant flow of traffic where people stand, sit, walk in out and around with a single purpose in mind, to track hard copy records for their boss’ patients. And they incredibly manage to do it with great efficiency as one might find in the cold business world outside. Contrarily, they always greet us cordially at the first window, taking the patient’s needs and demands to form a presentation to the doctor. Most patients, like me, run on routines; I sign in, hand over a copy of an insurance card, co-​pay and leave to sit without so much as saying, «Thank you.» Sometimes I gorget but a thank you is important. In the waiting room, we wait for the Doc but it’s not a country doc. It’s a city doc on demand, right now, I’m here.
Fortunately, most jaded people like me are the strangers and I was told not to talk to strangers when I was a child even if that stranger is visiting the same doctor. Whoops! It’s the city and not the country, son. So I quietly slump down with the other patients wishing we were more like in the country. Finally I am called by his nurse who never misses a chance to giggle at my bad jokes in a good way. Sometimes I am not joking like when I’m in pain. Efficiently she weighs me in, take my vitals as I complain the scale is lying again. I can’t possibly weigh that much but I do. I go to one of his spotlessly clean exam rooms which admitted are have much better décor than the waiting room. In a few moments, the flamboyantly dress Doc comes into the room. He always greets me with a gentle smile and sincere approach to my problems. His attire makes him different. It’s a signature about who he is a creative mind. However, his gentle but truthful bedside manner also makes him unique. Because he is pleasant to meet, that pleasantness builds my trust in him to discuss all my symptoms more openly. I met him two years ago. I had a lot of health issues. I tried to get everyone of them cured immediately. He helped by making me limit my issues to three pains per visit. Today I have only one issue, that’s me. Under his explicit directions, I used to take 14 to 18 pills every day but now only 4 and two of those are temporary. I ‘m asking you, am I getting healthier or what? We have a few extra conversations too about our community and current events. I like his political views, because he keeps them to himself. The Doc makes me feel at home.
The last people I see on the way out are the same in the same cramped space still concentrating on paperwork and asking when is a good time fore my next visit. They are kind ones when I have a dispute yet, even when they don’t agree with me they do it pleasantly. Most of my disagreements are because I misunderstood something but they are always ready to fix a problem if they can. I guess what I country spirit in this Doc’s office and staff regardless of what you think about the waiting room.
If you are looking for a good family doctor, these people are scarce. When you do find one, their office is very busy. For this I wish him and his staff all the best, hoping my comment on Unilocal helps him and his wonderful staff gather one more new patient.

I tried to set up an appointment as a new patient for a regular physical. The rude receptionist (the one with a very noticeable accent on the phone) told me in a rather brash voice that I need to set up an initial visit first and speak with the doctor before scheduling an annual exam. Didn’t even get to step foot in the door and I am already looking elsewhere.

Dr. Fitzer is very down to earth and explains everything to you about your illness and will answer any question. Yeah, it can be hard to get appointments, but usually they can get you in the same week, if not the same day. I think people are giving the facility a bad review and not the Dr. himself. Dr. Fitzer is GREAT!
I had a bad case of strep and Dr. Fitzer saw me the same day and got me started on antibiotics. Dr. Jacintho was very kind and helpful when I saw him recently as well!
I would say the office could use a little decoration, but hey it’s a doctor’s office, not a design studio!
The medical assistants are also very nice and very professional!

I went to Berkeley Family Practice for a general checkup and prescription refill. It was fine. I was a new patient, arrived a few minutes earlier to fill out forms, and was in and out with Rx refills, no problem.
Then, I got a cold. Runny nose, hacking cough, itchy eyes, fever, and Thanksgiving was only a week away.
I called Berkeley Family Practice, hoping to make a last-​minute appointment to get some antibiotics. The receptionist on the phone informed me that there were no more appointments for the week.
What should I do, I asked, I’m sick and I need to see a doctor.
Go to your nearest emergency room, was her reply.
What kind of an answer is that? I have insurance, they are my primary care practitioner. How irresponsible to just leave me hanging like that.
I ended up using a walk-​in service not covered by my insurance and paid $ 150 cash out of pocket.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr…

Dr. Fizter is a crackup (not a crackpot)!
Like another reviewer before me, I have more than once been completely overawed by his attire. The man has a wardrobe that *works it*, if you know what I mean.
The nitty-​gritty: the man is patient, kind and very good at explaining what is going on with you. He doesn’t flinch when pointing out that the ailment is your own fault, but he is not unkind about it. I’ve seen him a few times, my husband has seen him several times more, and overall we both are fairly happy with him and his office staff, who are always polite and courteous.
My only complaint is the waiting room. It needs some attention, oh yes. It isn’t filthy, just old and hodgepodge.

I entered the waiting room, the only one without a wheelchair or crutches.
I filled out the paperwork with relative honesty.
I got weighed, measured. I didn’t look.
I waited in the room…
then
he
entered.
Dr. Timothy Fitzer wears an iridescent purple silk shirt with black pin-​stripe pants that, by no accident, feature thin stripes of the same shade of purple running subtly down the length of each leg. In his left ear glistens a well-​polished diamond, tribute to his true baller nature.
Long story short I have poison oak and it sucks. Fitz was as good as any other doctor I have seen and gave me a prescription while explaining exactly why I look like a freak of nature. It was quick and painless and easy.
Dr. Fitzer is fine.
Dr. Fitzer’s outfit is fyiiiiiiiiine!

I’ve only ever been in here twice, both times to see Dr. Fitzer.
First time: My first trip to Chiapas. Two weeks after coming home I finally went to the doctor b-​c the hubby pointed out that the kind of stank I had going on in the bathroom couldn’t possibly be normal. Fitzer’s travelled a bit, and he’s down with parasites. He told me mine wasn’t impressive, but gave me a scrip and my world went back to normal. I’m eternally grateful.
Second time: Peace Corps physical. This wasn’t really fun for either of us, but he got me in on time, got it all filled out *correctly*, and sent me on my way, where I eventually got to spend a lot of time living with a lot of impressive parasites in my gut…

It’s been around for years and years, so I guess one has to forgive the utter dingyness of the waiting room. What’s not so forgiveable, however, is the unhelpfulness of the staff. I was shocked by the exhorbitant $ 150 fee for a simple office visit for my daughter, particularly as a Blue Cross member. (BC negotiates rates with its providers and I assumed I would be paying that – not the full, overpriced fee.)
I assumed right. Two weeks later, I get an «explanation of benefits» letter from BC that informs me I’ve been overcharged by $ 70. According to Larry at the clinic, they always charge the «full rates» because they don’t know what each patient’s negotiated rate will be. But I don’t buy it, as it doesn’t make any sense. The definition of a «negotiated rate» is that it’s standard for a variety of procedures. Blue Cross will pay $X for an office visit, $Y for this particular lab test, and so on.
To top it off, in order to get the overcharge back, I have to mail Larry my copy of the Blue Cross letter and then wait for a check. Very irritating.
That said, we saw a terrific nurse practitioner who followed up Chrissy’s visit with a phone call. We like her. We just don’t like the billing practices, which strike me as more than a little shady.