Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

Sutter operates as a non profit but they make a ton of money and they prey on poor people. I have discovered that their charity care program is a scam.

Summary: Sutter Health is a «medical subcontractor entity» from hell, and should be avoided. I know nothing about their docs, never got there.
I ran into Sutter Health while searching for a doc within Blue Shield. I thought I was calling a doc, but it turns out this is a «medical group» organization, which contracts out to blue shield… which has a central phone number, and doesn’t release the actual phone numbers of the docs or their offices at all. This sub-​contractor for sub-​subcontractors is a classic example of everything that’s wrong with US health care today. I’m in pain and I call and they want all my information for MARKETING purposes first, then billing purposes including social security number and job status fer gawds sake second, then… maybe 10 or 15 minutes later, a distant third, they would talk about docs. «Are you sure this is on my insurance co’s preferred provider list? » «Yes, absolutely», «Did you really verify using all of my insurance ID info you took, make absolutely sure, because some docs are OK, but not preferred and really cost a lot? «- «Oh yes, positively», … so in pain, I drive down there, and of course, after asking four times, they tell me I can call my insurance company to verify, but they don’t think they are preferred. «
A medical group that won’t give out the phone numbers even of their doc’s offices, one that doesn’t have a «contact» link on their website front page, one that cares much more about your billing info that you? As Unilocal one star says, «Eek! Methinks not.»

I had to go to the lab today and the nurse Heather was hilarious.
«Alright, time to party. Do you want blood or pee first?»
Then I was leaving and was looking for my crutches. I joked that I thought someone had taken them. «Haha, yes, Welcome to Sutter East Bay. We steal crutches!»

as decent as it could be when i’m cranky from getting an 8am appointment.
nothing at all like scrubs or house, but it’s ok, i can deal.
got in, got out. which is fair. everyone waas warm and friendly and professional, which is important.
there was a good atmosphere, although i did come in a few minutes early and still got called in about fifteen minutes after my scheduled appointment, which is the one lost star.
but it was definatly one of the better experiences ive had at a hospital.

Sutter — Richmond Branch: Last Choice If You Expect Professional & Compassionate Front Desk/​Receptionist Service.
I am a longtime Large HMO member. New to Sutter and «boutique medical group practice». Was very excited to join believing that customer service would exceed what you find in larger HMO brands. I was Sadly disappointed = On 3÷17÷08 I called Sutter’s Richmond Branch. The front desk /​telephone receptionist «short» with me and lacked professionalism or courtesy as I attempted to explain the reason for my call and lack of familiarity with their system. My urgent pharmacy need was met with silence and NO recommended solution on what I could do to address the need.
As a former senior level health care professional — I’m sensitive to the demands on physicians and their offices. I’m equally sensitive to the need for ALL members on the medical team — beginning with the receptionist/​phone person — - to demonstrate above average customer service in a highly sensitive-​sometime emotionally charged service industry that is 100% dependent on strong, loyal, and positive customer base. How the receptionist treats every one who calls on the phone or who walks in really does Matter.
Good News: I’ve decided to give the Sutter brand another try. Made an appointment with Sutter’s– Berkeley Branch. The receptionist at the Berkeley Branch was compassionate, a problem solver, and professional.
I just may like the «boutique medical group practice» after all…