Pacific Gynecologic Specialist

The staff at Methodist Hospital as his receptionists are not thorough and incompetent.
The doctor never ordered me an MRI as promised and his staff called me in to see him. I come in due to their mistake in misunderstanding /​lack of communication & scheduling… I signed in, waited for over 3 hours… then the doctor says that I shouldn’t have been there.
Then they document that I saw the doctor for «rendered services», sent me away to get a test done somewhere else and then CHARGED me for a visit! Now I am receiving threats of collection notices from Pac Gyno and The Methodist Hospital also keeps invoicing me their own bills from their portion due to that very appointment from that day.
I have made countless calls, explained my situation at least 20 times, transferred to «supervisors» and «managers» that who later go back to saying, «The front receptionist girls mentioned that you came and saw the doctor and he left notes in your file» and that ultimately it’s my responsibility to pay. Insufficient resolution. First of all, there isn’t any notes from that day, as there were NO SERVICES RENDERED. I showed up to their scheduling error. I did not receive ANY advice or treatment from the doctor and they still want to claim a visit and charge me.
I have spoken to all the managers and supervisors and left many voicemails and after several hours of calling and attempts to speak to someone who can actually dispute these charges is ultimately impossible. It’s been almost a year and I still cannot speak to anyone who can look into this issue and help resolve it.
I am furious with this ongoing dilemma. They are the WORST in communication and are exercising the WORST customer service. I am not going to pay the balance due to their mistakes!
I will never go to the Methodist hospital again. Pacific Gynocologists should acknowledge their errors in lack of communication and hire their own receptionist.
If I don’t get this resolved in 2 weeks as promised by the last account supervisor, I will take action via small claims.

Dr. Schlaerth has moved locations. The new office is way bigger, the staff is so much more friendly and on top of things. The wait times used to be so long (at least 2 hours) I was just there on Friday for an appointment, and i was in and out of there in about 30 minutes!!! He is truly the best doctor. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

No, serious-​this doctor is as good as it gets. He will make you feel so calm when you’re in his office it’s absurd. He’s been the primary surgeon on 2 very long and complicated emergency surgeries (middle of the night even) and my laproscopic surgery. Amazing, amazing doctor. Came in on the weekend for a consult when I was in the hospital and reminds me to always make sure to keep him updated on any hospitalizations I have (for whatever reason). Probably the most caring, kind doctor I’ve ever met in my life.

Dr. Alan Schlaerth is a caring, kind, attentive and skilled physician. He takes the time to explain/​answer any and all questions. Obviously, going to see an oncologist can be scary. In my experience, once he stepped into the room, I knew I was in good hands. I always felt extremely comfortable talking to him. I felt respected as a patient (which is not always true with every doctor). When I was hospitalized, I saw his PA and she was also very knowledgable and competent. In my opinion, it’s important to have not just a competent doctor but also one that cares. Dr. S is both. I was lucky and blessed to have him as my doctor. I hope to never need his services again, but if I do, I know he’ll take good care of me.

Update: Dr. Alan Schlaerth is now located at the GYN Oncology Institute at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. (Much better for me since it’s much, much closer to home now. Yay!) All new facility, all new staff. The only staff member that survives from his Pasadena location is Alexis so it’s nice to see her again. Sadly, Elsa and Clivia are gone. I had a follow-​up with him today and I was so happy to see him, I almost gave him a hug, if you can believe that. Happy to see your gyn/​oncologist? Yes… I know, I know. It’s just that you walk away with such a positive vibe from this medical professional. He gives you peace of mind that you’re in pretty competent hands. Plenty of parking now (awesome!) and it’s FREE!!! The two young ladies at the front desk are friendly and helpful. The young ladies that assist him in the exam rooms and back office are great as well. Additionally, he now has a PA-​C in the office. She has a nice smile and I suspect she is highly competent as well since Dr. Schlaerth does not surround himself with mediocre staff. Perhaps it would be too detrimental to his reputation and practice. Or maybe it’s because he cares about his patients that much. (I suspect the latter.)
BTW, no lengthy waits in the office anymore. Appointments are scheduled in a much more efficient manner so do NOT be rude and show up late. That’s just wrong.
I’m cutting and pasting this to my review of GYN Oncologist Institute to save time.

Dr. Schlaerth is a wonderful doctor. Was referred to him by my other doctor for minor surgery. Great skills and you can tell he cares a lot. He also surrounds himself with fantastic hospital staff. I feel really blessed that I ended up in his hands. Wait period to see him is up to two weeks and the office is pretty busy, fyi, so bring a book. Highly recommend.