Boston University Affiliated Physicians of Copley Square

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE staff. Doctor Lytle is beyond excellent, so this is an unfair review, but her staff is literally going to get her sued. The emotional distress the staff causes people is beyond repair.

I am so frustrated. The doctors here are WONDERFUL but the receptionists/​call staff are so unpleasant and have literally hung up on me when I’m trying to make an appointment. I’m seriously thinking of switching just because of the terrible experiences I have trying to call in. It’s never easy. It always takes up to 20 minutes just to get a hold of someone who knows what they’re doing. I’m transferred over and over again. Furthermore, everyone who answers the phone is incredibly rude. This last time I called I was transferred to godknowswhere and the person on the other end actually picked up the phone and said ‘What’ in a huffy voice. GET ANOTHER CALL SERVICE. Everyone hates the staff you have now.

Receptionists hate their job and do not care to help you, at all. I called trying to make an appointment with Dr. Lytle due to extreme back/​arm pain and she had nothing until september. What kind of doctor makes you wait 2 months when you are in pain? I asked if I could see any other doctor and the receptionist replied with «the soonest is August 7^th with a nurse.» Yes, that is great! I’ll just live in pain for 2 weeks, no problem. terrible service.

Doctors are good there, but the referral line is absolutely awful. Always have to call 3 – 4 times and leave multiple messages. I left all the correct information and they never get it right. Thinking about leaving this practice just because of the referral line

I like Dr. Lytle and have also had great experiences with all the nurse practitioners. However, that position seems to turn over at least once a year, so don’t get used to seeing the same person. The first reason for the two star review is the unhelpful, snarky staff who answer the phone. I have been a patient for at least 5 years, and needed a same day appointment for an illness. The woman that called me back said «Well, I have no practitioners today» and told me to go to urgent care. I’ve never been to an urgent care and asked where I should go, and she told me to «google it on my phone.» That leads me to the second, more important reason. If someone has an urgent issue, you should work them in. It’s unacceptable for a medical practice to have «no practitioners» on a given day, and then act like patients needing to see a doctor are burdening them. I won’t be back.

I was a patient of this practice for about 15 years and finally gave up.
I am transfering to another primary care physician. Despite liking Dr. Susan Cabot, Emily Powers (a nurse practitioner) and Dr. judith Lytle, the overall infrastructure supporting these doctors has been horribly inadequate and inefficient. The doctors mentioned above were attentive and seemed to care, but unfortunately that has been the sole redeeming quality of this practice for many years.
Because I liked and had confidence in the doctors, I put up with the unhelpful and rude front desk staff for a long time, (especially when the practice was over by SAKS). To be fair, this area has finally improved somewhat, after years of dealing with bad temepered or simply indiferent staff when attempting to make an appointment, or show up for one.
Over the years, getting in to see my actual PCP had became increasingly more difficult. I most often got the choice to see a nurse practioner or the option to wait 4 – 5 weeks. Not helpful when one is in extreme pain and has specifically asked to see an MD.
Last year when I found myself in severe pain, the service I recieved was beyond upsetting. Boston Medical Center (affiliated with the this practice), was grossly inept taking the wrong views for requested X-​rays so I had to go back twice, then BMC provided the wrong information about obtaining CD’s to take back to my doctor, resulting in more trips back and forth. When X-​rays revealed nothing extraordinary, my primary care’s office initially refused to order an MRI (because that was an expensive test !!!), and I was told to see a sports medicine professional for which there would be a 2 – 3 week waiting period. I never got to see the sports medicine person, Dr. Cumeau, (who would apparently be the one to decide if an MRI was necessary). I did not see him because this office messed up the referal, and I could not be scheduled without a proper referal.
After expressing my frustration, I was granted an MRI, which revealed the problem. We are now 5 months into the pain. I got an appointment with my PCP, and was then sent back to BMC to see a neurologist, who ordered more tests but did nothing to relieve the pain. I had to wait weeks for the other tests to be scheduled since they were so busy. I asked my primary care’s office for help in trying to get in to see a neurosurgeon at MGH in additon to the one at BMC for a second opinion, (because I pay enough insurance to have this), but that was not something they could help with. (Isn’t there honor among doctors as there is honor among thieves?)
So the saga went on. The neurosurgeon at BMC finally decided it was time for me to see a «spine specialist», since the problem was with the spine, although I am baffled as to why my PCP did not refer me to a spine specialist at the outset. BMC failed to ever set that appointment up. It must have slipped their mind since I am still waiting for the call.
10 months after the pain began, I had surgery at NE Baptist and am now well on the way to healing. As I recovered, I decided it was just time to transfer to a new PCP. After filing out all the necessary paperwork in December to transfer my records, the new office contacted me today (Friday Jan 30), to say they still do not have the records. It has been one month since that request. I am so disappointed with this office and the surrounding infrastructure it would be hard to ever recommend it to someone else.

I’m sad to be leaving Boston because Dr. Lytle is great. I only got to see her once but she has an excellent bedside manner. I felt immediately at ease with her. You can also tell that she loves her job and really cares about her patients. She didn’t rush through our appointment and really took the time to chat with me about any issues I might be having. Wish I could take her with me to California!

Love Dr. Lytle and the whole practice. I used to see Megan Rathvon and I believe she has moved on. But got right in to see Stephanie Quintiliani and she was awesome. Everything you want in primary care, attentive, fast and efficient. Can’t say enough good about this office

never, ever plan on getting out of here at a reasonable time if you don’t have an appointment either first thing in the morning or immediately following lunch. two hour waits are pretty much standard.

Fast. Central. Misguided. Called @ 9. In by 12. Diagnosed by 12:07. Prescription pickup @ CVS downstairs @ 12:45. The epitome of efficiency. Assessed my condition in less time than it take Starbucks to spin up a doublelattefrappamedicandorightherewhileshopping. And that is just the problem. Decent for your quickfixmedtricks but leaves a bit to be desired in taking the time to truly understand the ailment. Also charged me $ 50 copay on a $ 10 copay plan. Tsst. Tsst.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Lytle at MCA (now BU Affiliated Physicians) for 4 years now. It’s always pleasant to go in for a visit (as pleasant as a doctor’s appointment can be), whether it’s planned or unplanned. The front desk is constantly busy and it can take a short wait before they get to you, but don’t mistake that for rudeness.
Dr. Lytle has appointments as early as 7am, which means you don’t have to be late for work or skip out early in the middle of the day. I’ve never had to wait months for an appointment. Even though it’s nearly impossible to book her on a last minute basis if you get sick (which isn’t different from any other doctor’s office), there’s always a NP available to see you w/​in the next day or two of calling.
Dr. Lytle shows genuine care and interest in her patient’s health and well being. She always asks questions and actually takes time to listen, which is rare form these days. She also prides herself on being on time and doesn’t like her patients to wait. She’ll apologize if she’s late. It’s the little things that matter. =)
I’ve also seen NP Meghan a few times as well when I’ve been sick, and she’s great. She’s so personable, friendly, and easy to talk to. She really takes her time to talk to you to understand what’s going on. I’ve never ever felt rushed to get out the door with her.
I can’t say anything but praises for MCA. Even though I don’t work in the city anymore, it’s well worth the hassle of parking, T-​ing, or fighting the peak hour crowd to see a doctor who actually cares about me!

I have never posted a single comment on Unilocal!but I am so blown away by Medical Care Affiliates that I cannot help but praise them. Meghan made me feel comfortable the second that she stepped into the room. She was eager to hear all the questions I had and thorough in explaining each answer.
When I received my results, Meghan had taken the time to write me a note at the end to summarize the results, adding that I should never hesitate to call the office with any questions.
When I did call the office with questions, she called me back right away with answers. She is kind and warm. Although she is young, I think many doctors should take a lesson or two from her.

As a new patient, I scheduled a routine physical exam with Doctor Lytle. I was never seen by her and instead of being given a physical routine I was told that I first had to have a consultation visit. I requested to still have my PAP and blood work done because I knew my insurance did not cover unplanned visits to the doctor. I was refused and instead had to schedule a second visit to have those things done. As a result I was billed $ 150 for the unplanned doctor visit. When I called to appeal, I was told that they stand behind their billing codes, and would not resubmit the visit as preventative.
I specifically requested to have these routine things done during my first visit and was denied AND told that they did it this way so that the billing goes through properly. What they meant by «proper billing» was actually «extra billing.»
I’m extremely dissatisfied with my experience with this doctor’s office and will never return. If you go, make sure you know exactly what you’re going in for.

Meghan Rathvon (Nurse Practioner) is awesome. Her bedside manner is incredible and she genuinely cares about her patients. I’ve also had good experiences with the nurses who perform blood/​lab work and give shots. I always recommend Meghan to my friends in Boston and am very lucky to have found her.

I’m obsessed with Meghan Rathvon, a nurse practitioner at this office. I couldn’t be happier with her professionalism. She is also understanding and sympathetic whenever one of my neurotic illnesses comes up. I adore her!

Dr. Judith Lytle is AMAZING. She is compassionate, caring and the best Doctor I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She listens to all of my questions and concerns and answers very honestly. I appreciate her flexibility to see me when I am sick or her quick response to my emails when I have a general question. I often recommend her to all of my friends who are looking for a new Dr and she is always accepting new patients. LOVE her. She is the best period.

I have actually seen not Dr. Lytle, but a nurse practitioner: Meaghan Rathvon. And she was really excellent — thorough, sympathetic, professional. I was there because I thought I had strep throat (I did) but she was also willing to answer random health questions unrelated to my current condition. I have always been able to get an appointment fast, which when you’re sick is a big relief. I was even able to speak with her on the phone about something when I was traveling in New York. I have been going to MCA when the health center at my grad school is closed, but now that I’ve graduated, I’ll probably make it my regular doc office.

I needed a primary care physician and Medical Care Affiliates were recommended by my school.
I went to see Dr. Lytle– and while she is great, the receptionists make it seem like you have to make an appointment 4 months in advance– well sickness doesnt work like that so… A note also– the receptionists are seemingly horrible to work with over the phone, and are not hte most welcoming when you get there— but eh…
I see Meghan Rathvon who is the Nurse Practioner and I LOVE HER!!!
She sees me the day of, because her schedule isnt as heavy and I basically go to her for all my medical needs!
I would recommend this place. It has been around for a while, established, group of Dr.‘s as well as they have in-​house blood to be taken, and any type of immunization I needed was available.
It can be scary looking for a Dr. when your parents have just chosen them for you, and if you are not from here its even more challenging… all I know is that I will be sad to have received such reliable care from Meghan when I leave.

I can’t really speak for the rest of the practice, but Dr. Judith Lytle is amazing. I am completely willing to be seen 45 minutes late because I know that when Dr. Lytle eventually gets to me I will actually be seen and heard. She really spends time with her patients and is incredibly friendly and treats you like a person. If you can get her as your PCP, you will love her.
It is sometimes hard to get an appointment and some of the front desk people seem unhappy sometimes.

another rave for dr lytle, who is the best primary care doctor I have ever had — and at 45, I ‘ve seen a few! She is bossy in a good way about taking better care of myself, and I never feel like I am just another patient file to her. She has even asked me if I had difficulties with the front desk and updated me on how operations are improving! It’s like climbing in the way back machine before HMO’s and insurance companies killed the family doctor.