Alice L Yan, MD

I have been a patient of hers for over 10 years. I regret not leaving many years ago when I began to realize that it wasn’t really working out for me. First off, I have to constantly get appointments every 6 months just for prescriptions that I will take for the rest of my life. Then, when concerned about possible sleep apnea, was told I was just fat and should consider working out… after a couple of years of asking, was finally referred to a sleep center and miraculously told me, «hey, did you know you had sleep apnea???». I said, oh, I thought it was because I was fat!!! On a side note, I work out every day, weight 185 lbs at 5’6, I didn’t think I was fat… even if I don’t fit the typical bmi, to be told your just fat is unprofessional and inappropriate… the last straw for me was being charged for an appointment that was cancelled the day before… I was told that the office had a new policy that recently became in effect, even though I was told on the phone when I made the appointment to call the day before. My appointment was on a Monday and I called on a Friday. Apparently they recently put up signs that said I was supposed to call on Thursday… Well then why did you tell me to call the day before!!! Just horrible!!!

The front desk persons are really unprofessional and rude to new customers. It took me a week to finally make the appointments for me and my husband. When we both took off and got there, they canceled our appointments already claiming that I made a call asking for it. I pulled my calling history immediately and didn’t find the one they were talking about. Finally they suggested us find another doctor. We don’t even have chance to meet the doctor yet!!! The office is crowded and busy. It makes you feel like in the old fashioned market where you’d better not bother any working staff too much because they’re BUSY and no-​clients is never a problem for them. Their consideration is only for the patients they’ve known really well. I bet they got a call from another person but cancelled my appointments instead by mistake. And then they slide their friend in. The woman who took our slot passed a big bag of gourmet buns bought from the supermarket through the window to the front desk… I hope I’m thinking too much. I’m not sure if the doctor knows what happened behind her back or maybe that’s the culture in there. But goodbye, the nasty place!!!

Dr Yan is one of the greatest doctor around. I have been with her for the last twenty years. She is very caring and compassionate. I highly recommend Dr Yan for anyone looking for a good doctor.

WORST DOCTOR EVER!!!
Had to visit the office twice to get a simple physical done because they don’t do physicals for new patients. Left there feeling offended and violated both times. She was very rude, Unhelpful and judgmental.
For example, the first time I visited her, I mentioned that I feel tired all the time even though I eat pretty healthy and try to get 8 hours of sleep everyday. The doctor immediately said, «maybe you have depression.» When I told her I don’t think I do, she just said «well then I don’t know. There’s nothing much I can do.»
Also, I asked her to renew my prescriptions. She asked me all these personal questions that are not related to the prescription at all. And her staffs are very rude too. A lot times when you call in to ask a question or book an appointment, they put you on hold for a long time.

Why oh why did I not read the Unilocal reviews on the WORST primary care doctor I have ever met so I could have avoided a complete waste of time meeting with her. I would give her a ZERO if I could. I also should have known while I was sitting in the waiting room and overheard her staff call someone on the phone rude when staff person was being very rude herself.
Anyway, I have a chronic pain issue and have been receiving neurological and chronic pain treatment at UCSF, but they do not write the scripts at UCSF pain management, instead leaving it to the Primary Care Physician (PCP). Any PCP having dealings with UCSF would know this. Anyway, my PCP no longer takes my insurance and I moved, so I had been looking for someone closer to take over. I also wanted to forgo long drives to UCSF for my PCP.
I started telling her the beginning of a very long medical history so she would understand what is going on and why I am in the bad shape I am in. (Note, it is not easy for me to go through my medical past as I endure a tremendous amount of pain daily due to a botched surgery where nerves were severed.) I brought all my paperwork with me and within less than 5 minutes she cuts me off, and asks what drugs do I take. I showed her a prescription for a heavy duty narcotic which I have been taking for a very long time. She said «I won’t prescribe that.» I was in disbelief. How can a doctor summarily say what she will or will not prescribe without knowing my entire medical history. A doctor cannot make a decision on medical necessity without the facts. I wanted to explain more of my history and procedures so she could understand. Instead, she looked at me judgmentally and unsympathetically asked why UCSF does not write the prescription. I indicated that they do not do that and she asked what other drugs did I take. I was angry at this point and wasn’t about to waste another minute on someone who was obviously so incompetent as she was not interested in fully reviewing all the facts first. I told her she was very unprofessional and walked out. I am contemplating writing a complaint to the state medical board as I question in my layman’s opinion whether a doctor who would behave like she did without looking at all the facts is fit to practice medicine.

This doctor is the worst! I selected this physician because she was the only one that accepted Health Plan of San Mateo at the time… I called in to refill a prescription and she denied it because i hadn’t seen her in a few months. When i called the doctors office the front desk person was rude and not helpful at all. Reluctantly i made an appointment for the next day because she wouldn’t fill my prescription unless i saw her. (my fault) i couldn’t make the appointment because someone at my job called out sick. I called in to reschedule and the front desk told me that the doctor requests that i find a new Primary care physician. F u doctor Yan… #thatisall

I saw Dr. Yan once and it really was enough for me to change doctors. The receptionists in the office were not very personable or accommodating to begin with which started the visit off on a poor note. I always hate going somewhere where I feel like I’m bothering someone by needing their assistance and it was exactly that in this situation. After seeing Dr. Yan I was slightly disappointed to see someone offering health advice and prescribing my medicine with very noticeably poor hygiene herself. That aside, during the visit I felt very rushed to be in and out but what bothered me the most were the lack of social skills in her consultation with me. The professional ‘advice’ came off as rude and quite frankly offended me and left me with a terrible feeling. All this aside, picking my prescription up downstairs was big mistake as its really more a convenience store you would find on the side of the road offering china dolls, snacks, over the counter medicine and medical prescriptions. I really do not recommend this office or dr unless you have no other options within your medical reach. Today I called for assistance in receiving a receipt for my one appt in which I had the exact date and information for, however they do not have my records from less than a year ago and can only provide me with a hand written receipt. It just upsets me that medical coverage is very expensive yet the quality of medical service is nowhere near what I feel I pay for.

Dr. Yan has been my doctor for quite a few years now. She is very friendly yet honest with her diagnosis. She will not sugarcoat the truth and will make sure you get the help you need.

I have been with Dr. Yan for over 5 years. She is nice and professional. For some other reviewers, people skills are important. For me, I do not care that much as long as I get the proper care. She is very careful with her diagnosis and never hesitates to order the necessary lab tests (MRI, Xray…). and she will refer me to the proper specialists when she deems necessary. (unlike some other HMO doctors that I used to have) Her office is so busy with patients and I just do not think she has time for the chatting and social networking.

Dr. Yan is a very good doctor. She spends time with me, sometimes I wish she would have more people skills and be more charismatic… but cant complain. I’ve been going to her practice for more than 7yrs and just got used to her!

Dr. Yan has always been very accessible to my family and I. I began seeing her after my mom and dad recommended her. She may come across as abrupt at times, but she knows her stuff, is never hesitant about referrals to specialists and knows the Filipino culture well. My mother has been an RN for over 20 years and appreciates Dr. Yan’s knowledge and honesty. I believe she really does do what’s best for her patients and not the HMOs. I don’t really care for small talk so the fact that she is a ‘to the point’ person is a plus in my book.

As also a health care professional, I am very observant to and serious in who I choose as a physician. My health and the health for others is a committed management that doctors should help patients achieve. Dr. Yan is a physician who I say is approachable and is ready to hear what you are in for. She listens actively to what patients like myself are experiencing and what options are available to help resolve or manage them. I have referred her to several family members and would say that those who have switched to her have been very satisfied. My mother in law being one of the referrals just recently had a critical condition which lead to hospitalization and urgent management of the issue, if wasn’t for Dr. Yan and her decisions as a doctor to admit her and recommend the care started for her, my mother in law wouldn’t have survived another day. As far as being a good physician with good medical information and directive of care, I recommend Alice Yan… HOWEVER, the ONLY bad thing I could say is, she joined the wrong Medical office because the other doctors she works with are also all so busy with patients and it is sometimes impossible to get an appointment unless you walk in or call way in advance. If you know you want to see her, get your calendar out and call early to set up an appointment, that way being on hold long, or rings and rings after, SOMEONE will answer and get you in at a convenient time.

Dr. Yan has been a great physician for my mom, who has dementia. I appreciate that she is efficient and straightforward. My mom’s disease causes mental rigidity, and it is sometimes difficult to get her to cooperate with anything. Dr. Yan works quickly, and this helps with my mom’s exams tremendously, yet she always takes the time to thoroughly address my concerns as a caregiver.

I have been seeing Dr. Yan for about seven years now and, as a nurse
for over forty years, I am very critical about my health care. I transferred to her after two years with a physician in San Francisco who, though highly recommended, was almost impossible to get to see on short notice, and with whom I could never establish a bond.
I have been very satisfied with Dr. Yan. I have some complex medical problems but she has always been very astute in her diagnosis and quick to make referrals to the proper specialists, when necessary. It is possible to get an appointment with her in a timely manner when necessary and I truly feel she cares about me as an individual. She is board certified in internal medicine and seems to be quite knowledgeable in her field. I have had no complaints at all.

Dr. Yan obviously is very selective. She always got me out ASAP of the clinic. The greeting that I always got was «What’s wrong?» No name or any sign of personal recognition. This is puzzling for at least on one occasion I heard her have a very nice warm conversation with a departing patient right before coming to see me with the opposite and almost hostile attitude. Not a great doctor by any means with her diagnosis either when I did have something wrong. She did the minimum for me. After several visits I realized that she wasn’t having a bad day on one of those visits, she was always having a bad day with me. I left.

I really wish Dr. Yan had better «doctor to patient» relation skills. Unfortunately for her AND her patients… she pretty much has none. I don’t exactly need a warm and fuzzy type of doctor, but it wouldn’t hurt to be more hospitable and approachable. We expect good customer service when we walk into stores, restaurants… practically every place of business. So why would it be wrong to expect a warm, genuine smile from your doctor? Every time I came to see her, she always communicated in her body language that she was in a hurry to see the next patient.
She always addressed me by my last name like we’re in the military or something. I mean, how hard is it to say Anne? Or are you not paying attention to the detail on the patient’s file you are holding? First name is Anne. Use it.
After several visits with her, I felt it was time to change. There’s gotta be another doctor out there that shows they care a bit more, right? Sheesh…