UCLA Health Family & Internal Medicine

Incompetent billing department and fraudulent billing! I had a billing error that somehow ended up with collections and the UCLA billing department won’t fill out the proper paperwork to clear up the error that was made on their behalf (over $ 900+). The average appointment takes over 2 months to book, and wait times are upwards of 45mins. The doctors don’t seem to care one bit about patients and just herd patients in and out.

All of the reviews you’ll read on here about their outlandish billing practices are true. I was billed nearly $ 5,000 dollars for an MRI of the spine of which my PPO insurance covered all but $ 1,600 dollars for which I am now responsible for. From my research an MRI usually costs between $ 500 — $ 1500 dollars. Consumer rights agencies told me that UCLA has contracted prices set with insurance companies to basically ring you out to dry. When I called to get a possible reduced rate I was told that it would only be possible to reduce the rate if I was on medicare. Because I have a good job and good insurance i’m being taken advantage of.
To top it off, my MRI showed that I have a slipped disc in c5-​c6. The neurosurgeon heavily pressured me to get surgery and have an artificial disc put in. A surgery that would cost about 60k. He snubbed his nose at chiropractic treatment and told me he thinks its going to get worse and i’ll lose control of my arm. Guess what happened when I decided against the surgery? One month of consistent chiro work and I feel just fine. No more pain and NO need for surgery.
Is anyone open to a class action lawsuit?

My IVF Dr. referred me to Dr. Erica Oberman, an Ob/​Gyn, though he didn’t know her personally, just heard good things. Before going to my appointment, the IVF Drs. office faxed my medical records 3 TIMES to this office, but yet several people there still said they were never received. I brought my own copies and upon my consultation with Dr. Oberman said, ‘oh yeah, I saw these Friday’. wtf? Not to mention, the nurse had me undress for an exam when this was just supposed to be a consultation. Disorganized to say the least.
Then, Dr. Oberman ordered a bevy of blood tests… all of which I’ve already had done but didn’t realize this until later. So, after waiting for over 2 hours in the cattle call of the lab, I paid for an unnecessary round of tests and ended up missing a full day of work because of the wait in the lab… not happy.
After that shit show of a place, I decided to go back to my regular Ob/​Gyn and cancelled one future appointment I had with Dr. Oberman. A few days later, I got a bill for over $ 2,600 for the consultation before insurance. Again, WTF? Basically, they billed me ahead for 7 future appointments with Oberman. No where was that written in any paperwork, nor was I told verbally. How the F are they allowed to do this??? Currently, waiting to get this rectified.
Avoid this place like the plague…

Wow, the most disorganized mess imaginable. Parking is atrocious, handicapped assistance is non-​existent and the doctors are no better than anywhere else but waaaaaay more arrogant. The neurologist Johnston is the penultimate and consummate prima donna. They don’t tell you, even if you have to drive hours to get there, that if you are 15 minutes late (because there was no handicap) she sends someone out to tell you to go home!!!
NEVER again.
For UCLA Health in Westlake Village, it is abominable. Waiting on the phone 8, 10 minutes. then very incompetent stupid people keep you on the phone more questioning the veracity of your phone number or unable to hear you because of the tremendous background noise on their end!!! They won’t even take a frigging message without asking for your first born. «Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?» They all say the exact same thing like we don’t know they are uncaring incompetent robots. Everything they say is canned. One will say they can’t even take a message until they interrogate you about three separate pieces of information! For a message! But another one call your office and repeatedly leave detailed personal health messages for EVERYONE to hear. I can go on forever.
Dr Choi the dermatologist was trained in Auschwitz, he is insulting, cold, fails to listen. Just awful and I would worry for anyone that is his patient. Get a second opinion OUT of UCLA because he really loves to put you on dangerous meds.
Dr Martin NEVER ever follows up, forgets to order the test you came to him for, is unreachable and altho nice, he seems unfamiliar with medicine.
Then they bill you at the wrong address and send it to collections while you don’t even know there is unpaid bill. Really horrible, unprofessional. UCLA seems to be a dangerous place if you wish health care. What doctors keep you on hold for 10 minutes before anyone answers??? UCLA does. All the time. I won’t go there for a flu shot!

My husband has gone to Dr. Sammy Saab for about 4 – 5 years. I choose UCLA over private doctors because these professionals have the very latest in new procedures, techniques and follow-​up. I would much rather have an incorrect bill (no matter the hassle involved) than an incompetent physician. Any day. Be careful what you wish for! I guess this is easy for me because I have had a physician that was totally incompetent in the past (NOT from UCLA) and as a result, I am worse off than originally. Yes, be careful what you wish for. Your health is more important in the long run. Finances can be corrected; when it comes to medical issues, I will let the pros handle their specialty!

I saw Dr. Sridhar today for a very sensitive issue and she could not have been more kind, compassionate, and respectful. I felt I was in the hands of a very competent physician. I highly recommend her.

This is the first time I’m writing a review here and unfortunately it’s my worst experience.
There are already lot of folks who have problem with their billing systems and it’s a shame that they still cannot figure it out what’s wrong!
Let me explain of what exactly happened. Me and my spouse went for a annual medical check up. And as per my PPU plan it was fully covered and I don’t need to pay any penny out of my pocket.
When I went there I asked multiple times (not once or twice but multiple times) that I want my annual medical check up done (preventive care). I asked person at the reception about the charges and all. And they were like you’re fully covered and you don’t need pay anything. When I went inside I asked doctor like twice or may be thrice, that am I fully covered or not? and answers was always yes. You’re fully covered and you don’t need to pay anything.
I happily came home and happily ate dinner and slept, thinking my insurance covered everything. To my surprise after couple of weeks I got a bill of like $ 800, phew, are you serious!!! When contacted UCLA and my insurance, they said doctors did some test which were not covered by insurance. And my insurance says hospital had put some wrong code in the systems and that’s why systems had updated incorrect data. I don’t understand why there is such a mess in a hospital like UCLA. I had great respect about UCLA but not anymore. They always want to make money and find a way to charge no matter what happens.
I went their sometime in March and till date I’m going back and forth with my insurance and UCLA. I don’t have any hopes anyways.
I wanted to put this in here so that other folks does not experience like me. AVOID this hospital!!!

Dr Saab a so called Liver specilist it usually takes 3 months for an appointment! Strike one! Then God forbid you get caught in traffic (in LA?) if your 10 min late your cancelled!
I did the two hour trip to only be told hey Bro how you doing? You look great! Then he has to do a report for two other Dr’s that are really worried about me and my blood numbers, the dude does a report that he examined me, that I have no tenderness in my liver and something about a tattoo on my chest! He never touched me I never took my shirt off! Further I have no tattoo on my chest! What a waste of time to go to UCLA! They pretty much killed my late wife with the treatment they provided and if I allow them to do me in I’m sure they will kill me too! Find another hospital! Smaller and more accountable! Or ask a Animal clinic for help I think your odds are better

This place is my life saver. I came here for the first time at the ER for my CKD. All the staffs and doctors are super nice with great smile. The hospital is pretty much managing all my appointments regarding dialysis and transplant. I’m glad that i came here and that i leave not too far from this hospital.

It’s a shame I have to write the same review that so many before me wrote — because I absolutely LOVED my doctor, Diane Y. Rhee — However, I am NEVER GOING BACK HERE AGAIN (and I suggest others stay away too).
Let me just say, something is definitely wrong with their internal billing system, and they seriously need to sort it out!!!
First, they tried to charge me full price for my yearly checkup, which my insurance should have covered 100%! After many phone calls, and being bounced around from one department to the other, they figured out that THEY ENTERED A CODE WRONG INTO THE SYSTEM!!! Hence, it wasn’t entered as a «yearly checkup» but rather something else entirely that made my insurance deny it (of course!). Ok so got that sorted out… But wait!!! Months later, received another bill, but this time the hospital itself was trying to charge me. AGAIN with the numerous phone calls, and finally got someone to say «disregard the bill» — I made them send me a $ 0 Balance statement, just so I can have it on file. Which they did, thank God.
Fast forward, from 8÷21÷14, to present day, 3÷24÷15! BEHOLD!!! ANOTHER BILL IN THE MAIL… this time from their lab!!! LOL, are you kidding me, I say to myself in disbelief. Just called them and again was told «I’m not sure why this happened, please disregard, we will send this bill to your insurance» — I’m sorry what?! You’re JUST NOW wanting to charge my insurance for some random lab fees, again that should’ve been covered under a routine yearly visit, and it’s like 7 MONTHS LATER???
I just seriously don’t understand this place! They need to get their sh*t together.
I’m never going back, and I’m encouraging you, the Unilocal reader, to stay the heck away too… Before you have to waste HOURS on hold with their billing dept!!!

Do you want to have you credit messed up by their incompetent billing department? If so, go to UCLA.
UCLA Health is THE WORST. I had several office visits with Dr. Smooke at the UCLA Endocrinology office in Santa Monica (after one mishap during which she had me run lab tests for which UCLA Health billed over $ 600 and which cost less than $ 100 through independent labs).
Her office then told me that she wouldn’t be seeing patients at Santa Monica anymore, and directed me to the Westwood office. My office visit, usually a $ 20 co-​pay, suddenly cost over $ 200 because they coded it as a hospital visit!
But the best part — I never received a single bill from UCLA for over 4 months, then I got a collection notice! A week later my «bill» arrives. Funny how the COLLECTIONS bill is dated a week BEFORE the first bill I’ve received from UCLA! It does not say 2^nd notice or delinquent or anything — it’s a «first» bill just like many I’ve received before and paid promptly. What a f – ing joke.
I wish someone WOULD file a class action to look into their pattern of fraudulent billing and illegal collections practices.
UCLA is the worst place there is. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

This place has been great to my wife. They have taken great care of her and we are very satisfied with the entire medical center. Always a great level of professionalism and service here. They really are on the cutting edge of medical technology and research. If you are lucky enough to have a doctor here, you will be in excellent care.

Hello,
Are there any lawyers that have been reading these Unilocal reviews willing to do a class action suit against UCLA billing practices? Are there any class action suits in progress now? Please reach out to me. I came on Unilocal to tell my story about their outlandish billing that I’ve been dealing with for over a year now. However, it looks like several other people are experiencing the same thing. I believe we have a strong case here. If anyone who has been affected by UCLA’s billing is interested in taking this several steps further, please reach out to me. I’m done playing nice with UCLA!
Also, I’ve already spoken with a few news channels to do a story on them as well. They will soon be exposed, there is no doubt about that. I am happy to be the one to set things in motion
I look forward to hearing from you. Please send me a message. Thank you !

The quality of the actual medical care is fair to decent more often than not, but if you have an HMO please be aware that their medical group is TERRIBLE. Any paperwork you need, perscriptions, authorizations, anything at all — know that UCLA does not have your back and you will have to go to great lengths to get that medication you need in order to stay alive. And then repeat the process every 3 months. Seriously, the UCLA Medical Group should be brought up on criminal charges.

I don’t want to blame the whole institution. However, my experience at this place was’t great. My doctor was caing, but i could not trust her. she always looked like thinking about something else and she repeates same thing over and over again. i just tired to deal with her.
but the waiting room and their patient management was very organized.

Medical service is great and professional. Billing is not. They send me collection letters directly, and ask me to call collection agency. It turns out that the bill was mailed to somewhere in Oklahoma which I had never been. And they said that’s not their fault? … com’on, mailing collection letters to right address and the bill to Oklahoma, and say not your fault? What am I? An idiot?
Did not receive any apology and wasted me a lot of time. Worst of all, there are three bills for me: lab, physician, and pathologist. Two out of three send collection letters to me directly instead of bills. Can’t believe this is the best in the west medical center as claimed.

This is for the 200 Medical Plaza (AKA: Peter Morton Building). The front desk staff are always friendly. I walk by them everyday and they always greet me with a warm smile. If you get lost, don’t be afraid to ask them for help. They’ll be glad to point you in the right direction.
The elevators for this building can be a bit slow, there are six elevators but I never see all six working at the same time. There’s always something wrong with one of the elevators. They have surgery center on the 6^th floor, imaging on the B1 level, and the Revlon/​UCLA Breast Center on the B2 level.
People always get lost when they park in B2 and try to get to the parking lot from the B2 level. You have to go back to the lobby and take the elevators to get back down to the B2 level because they don’t connect. Or you can take the stairs. it can get confusing!
The bathrooms are always clean and the facility has many hand sanitizing dispenser all around so if you’re sick, do everyone a favor and get some sanitizer to kill those germs!

I visited the Nephrology department for a consultation/​second opinion. They were professional, caring, great listeners, knowledgeable, collaborative and very thorough. I feel like they went above and beyond and can’t wait to keep them on board in a collaborative capacity.

Killing two birds with one stone. I get to be the patient today (regular check up)… Then to the fun part (volunteer work).
I am one of the lucky
the grace of God, I had a transplant almost 3 years ago here. UCLA saved my life. The doctors, nurses, social workers, and the rest of the staff there are FIRST CLASS EVERYTHING!!! Everyone is so caring and positive, they made my experience a positive one. Iv’e been to other hospitals so I can speak on the difference in care.
Now I get to give back. On Wednesdays I volunteer in the 200 Building in a support group setting. Speaking with people who are waiting to be put on that precious list to receive an Organ. I also speak with the families of patients, helping them to understand how the process of TRANSPLANTATION works. There are so many factors that go into receiving the gift of life. reality is that some of the people I speak with will never get their gift, but I believe that the families and the patient benefit from being involve in a support team setting. I tell my story and then make myself available to those who have questions or are in a similar position as I was.
Here is my story for those of you who are interested:

The service here is phenomenal, had to take my son here for an appointment and WOW I was totally impressed. When we checked in we signed a few papers and the man at the desk gave us a mini tour of the floor. The hospital itself is so clean and so was the waiting room, had really nice pictures and books and things to keep my son busy while waiting. The Dr we saw was soooo kind, her nurse was so sweet and kept my son at ease.
We won’t be back thank goodness. =) Cuz I wouldn’t want to pay for the parking, the parking here is outrageous I think it was $ 12 =/​
I highly recommend UCLA Medical center!