Caduceus Medical Group

Expect to be here 2 hours, this place is like the DMV, full of sloth like people who neither seem to be concerned nor care that you are here. Spent an hour sitting in a dank room with a very sick 1 year old.
Complained multiple times. Don’t expect them to call you back if you leave several messages. The phone always goes to answer machine despite several sloths at the desk.

VERY disappointed. I have come here several times out of convenience and haven’t had a bad experience until this last time. My prescription was sent to an incorrect pharmacy even after they asked me specifically where i would like to pick it up from. It took me all day long to try and track down where my prescription was actually sent to and the office DOES NOT ANSWER THE PHONE so you will never speak to a human being. That fact alone could have saved me hours wasted. Spare the headache and go somewhere else!

I’m so disappointed. This is my neighborhood clinic. I went there several times in past years with a good experience but now it seems they are overly automated and can’t get themselves organized.
Last week I saw a doctor and she told me they would put an antibiotic prescription in my file so if I felt worse I could call and get the prescription sent to pharmacy.
First, I found out you can’t call the clinics. It all goes to a centralized administration group that NEVER answers the phone and doesn’t return calls. There is no way to speak to the front desk of the Laguna clinic. So I drive to the clinic and they told me the prescription wasn’t in my file and no nurse was on duty. The doctor that saw me happened to walk by and I asked her if she would write the script. She actually seemed annoyed, entered an office and closed the door. That was it. The poor guy, Victor, at the front desk was trying to be helpful, but wasn’t getting any support. He said they’d get the prescription sent over and call me to confirm. I left.
Two hours later, I went back to the clinic again because nobody called me. He said the doctor had still not looked at my file. The nurse was now there and she wanted to help but it still needed to go to the doctor. I stayed this time until they told me the script had been sent in. I drove to the pharmacy and, not surprisingly, they didn’t have anything from the doctor. I then called the central administration number 8 times in a row from my cell at the pharmacy. Finally got a live person. She looked up my records and said they hadn’t submitted the prescription but the order was in my file. She emailed the pharmacy and I got my script.
All I can say is unbelievable.

This place is the worst business I’ve had to deal with. I was a patient here when it first opened. You could hear crickets because they didn’t have a client base. They were so professional and responsive back then. No more!!! They must have far too many clients to bother returning phone calls. Why don’t you just turn off the message machine if you have no intentions of responding? I had a time-​sensitive issue that I had to deal with. I called twice. Not even the courtesy of a call back saying we don’t do that or we can’t get you in.
I walked in a month or two ago and asked if I could be seen for lingering respiratory issues. The person at the front desk said «let me check». There I sat for 30 minutes, no sign-​in, no further acknowledgement. Finally I walked out.
The sad thing is that I’ve moved back to LB and was looking to re-​establish Caduceus as my primary provider. Guess that’s not going to happen!!!

When it comes to a medical group, a 5 Star is the only place to be. Without your health… nothing else matters.
This is the best medical group by far, the best group I ever seen in Southern California. I’m a local who grew up right here in Southern California. I have spent years looking for the best Medical Group. This is that group you’re searching for, 5 Stars without a question!
From location, staff, cleanliness and professionally, if you’re looking, you will be impressed.

Left a voicemail (and emailed them) a couple of days ago to schedule an appointment and still have not heard back. Pretty pathetic.

Horrible customer service! I emailed and called twice and left messages and no one ever got back to me!

Top notch medical care! The staff is patient, kind and caring. The doctors are well informed and up to date on current medical information. Their woman’s care is the best. I just recently had surgery by Dr. Borrowdale. He is wonderful, as well as his staff. He answered all of my questions and put me at ease. My whole family goes here too. I highly recommend this medical group.

Dear Caduceus. I have been a patient there for over 20 years, and I actually love you all, especially Xandi who has been a GODSEND. She deserves every accolade I can give her. So why the one star you ask? It is because Unilocal is now officially the only way that I have of contacting you where I have some small hope of getting a call back or speaking with someone. As an example of my problem, I called the Laguna office yesterday starting at 6:30 am and made at least 10 calls (some I just hung up and did not leave a message, others I left messages-​so many messages) trying to talk to someone, anyone throughout the day. I finally received a call back at 6:30 pm-​ish, just in time to not see/​speak with a doctor or PA that day. Perhaps you can understand my frustration?
The woman I spoke with said that they are aware of the problems with the phones and are looking into how to deal with it. So my question is, since this has been going on for months, and I see other reviews have made a note of it; when do you think it will be possible to call and talk to a live person? I don’t think that is too much to ask, I really don’t. And please to not suggest I contact you online, as I do not always have access to a computer and would prefer to speak to a real, live person in any event.

I visited this medical clinic just before they closed on 2÷24÷2016 at 5:45pm. I had hurt my leg and was concerned that I needed to go to the hospital. They were so nice and offered to check to make sure it wasn’t too serious. They examined my leg and disinfected and cleaned it. They determined that it wasn’t too serious and sent me home. I wasn’t even a patient but I will be now and can’t sing their praises enough for being so caring and friendly!
Thank you!

Caduceus Medical Group is a top notch operation. I have to highly praise Jessica Vollebregt, she is an outstanding Physicians Assistant.
Her medical knowledge and compassion deserve to be acknowledged.

Staff was very efficient and very friendly. If I lived here, I would make this my preferred health care provider.
A special nod to nurse Jen for her kind and friendly care!

Here is my review of Jessica Vollebregt, who is a «Certified Physician’s Assistant» working out of this office. I have firsthand experience with her. Unfortunately, for me, she was assigned to handle my medical inquiry one fateful day.
During our encounter, she was condescending and rude. She was not interested in hearing about any medical condition I had, because she had made up her mind early that I was simply med shopping. As a law-​abiding, well-​meaning, and hard-​working member of the community, this hurt my feelings. Apparently «Certified Physicians Assistants» have magical gut intuition which is far more compelling than established medical history. Basically she stonewalled my medical inquiries and didn’t even offer a referral. Her attitude was totally unbecoming of a doctor, which is to be expected, because she is, after all, only a «Certified Physician’s Assistant.»
I should point out that I previously left a review for Jessica Vollebregt. She contacted Unilocal and asked them to take it down, and they obliged because it «did not appear to describe your firsthand customer experience.» Hence, the above portion is a revision of my previous post, which warned patients to «Avoid Jessica Vollebregt if you have any condition of a sensitive nature. She is a jaded skeptic, and she will treat you like a drug addict if your condition requires controlled medication. Even if you have documentation and long-​standing treatment history, she will roll her eyes when you tell her your symptoms because she thinks you’re just pill shopping. Bottom line: If you ever have the urge to be treated like a methadone junkie, go see Jessica Vollebregt.»
Now, I understand this may seem harsh, but the point of mal-​Yelping Jessica Vollebregt was to warn potential patients so that they may avoid her, which they should. I also understand that a review like this might hurt her reputation, which it should. But hopefully this time, instead of asking for Unilocal to remove negative reviews, she accepts responsibility and learns to become a better Physician’s Assistant.

I had a huge mix up happen with my prescription, though anyone who answers the phone at this location, or calls me, is always polite and more than willing to help me, it is getting someone on the phone that is extremely difficult. I came in twice today, 1÷09÷16, and both times Nadia went above and beyond to help me out. An extremely friendly face behind the counter, she got me sorted out, and completely saved my ass today. Couldn’t be more grateful!

I have been going to this location for years now. Just for minor sickness like the flu. They the Doctors have never asked hey let’s see how your health is. Let’s take a blood sample. They just never asked. I’m turning 50 soon and they have never asked for an annual health exam.

The clinic is good PA Jeff is a good man.
The call center is a nightmare. I have been waiting for referrals for ever. Simple things like an x-​ray its been a month the it was incorrect. and no contact information to schedule an appointment.
If you have a need for same day treatment its good. Otherwise forget it.

The way things are handle are extremely unprofessional and they do not have the long term patience well being in mind. I have been on a medication which YOU CANNOT STOP TAKING COLD TURKEY. This has happened before which caused me to have seizures which are life threatening. I’m extremely frustrated that I cannot speak to DR.PENKOFF. Every time I call I. Am forwarded to a nurse who is absolutely no help not sympathetic. Not only is this a huge inconvenience but it’s life threatening. If you are considering going to any of their offices I would think twice or you might be in my situation witch can end with you in the ER.

I’ve been going to caduceus for years now. I started off with Dr. Goodale after follow him from his previous location and now see Jenn Pence who is absolutely fantastic. The office always gets me in on short notice there may be a little bit of a wait but with such short notice I don’t mind. The whole team is super friendly I have been followed up with by the patient advocate Christina Ponce who is also fantastic to deal with. All and all I love this practice and everyone who works there.

How can I put this politely? I can’t. My initial appointment incurred a 3 hour wait. Dr. Penkoff is lovely and was short staffed so I forgave and forgot. However what is less hopeful is the 2 weeks afterwards battling Caduceus amnesiac admin:
It’s true, ten phone call to make an appointment. One a day for 2 weeks — their workload could have taken one call. But most who spoke to me said ‘there was no record’ of an appointment being made. I got 2 half messages on voicemail saying an appointment had been made then when I called in — wow it was never there! Someone finally found it though, I am due at the hospital this Friday. If you’ve time on your hands, this is the place for you. Samuel Beckett probably died here.

What a great medical practice! Super fast & easy to get APPTS or walk-​in! They are super organized, very clean & spacious office, with very cool COLORFUL office interior design!
LAGUNA BEACH ART on every wall & door!
This is a VERY HAPPY & FRIENDLY MEDICAL PRACTICE!
STAFF is very friendly, yet professional, that gives EXCELLENT SERVICE & MEDICAL CARE!!!
Relaxed & calm medical office, cool piped in MUSIC… & looks more like a modern, very HIP, & very COOL ART museum! LOL
I’ll be back, for followup, after my Texas trip, for sure! I’m very grateful to have found this place on Unilocal!
It’s very close-​by, to our new LB home… Location easy to find, with great easily accessible parking, right outside thèir front door!
To the GREAT & FRIENDLY STAFF that served & cared for me, from the beginning with KARI & SAMANTHA at front desk, JOYEE my RN, & JEFF my Physician Assistant:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your EXCELLENT & FRIENDLY SERVICE for my MEDICAL CARE! Y’ALL, ROCK!!!
And get this… When I Unilocal CHECKED-​IN… They gave me a FREE SURPRISE GIFT! What a FANTASTIC MEDICAL PRACTICE! Keep up the great work y’all! Definitely, y’all exhibit…
A CHEERFUL HEART really is the BEST MEDICINE!