Allergy & Asthma Medical Group & Research

I went in with my son today and NEVER have I had such a positive experience. Dr. Welsh is knowledgable and approachable. He asked many questions and I felt that my child was in such good hands. His tests revealed that he had 2 more allergies than the blood test had indicated and was able to let us know if my son was allergic to penecillin. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. What a positive experience!!!

So, like most San Diegans, I’m super busy. I was referred here last year by my ENT, and since my healthcare coverage was absolute garbage, I decided to wait until the new year and a new Covered California plan to call and make an appointment. The reviews and doctors looked great online, so I was excited.
I called yesterday and was on hold for 15 minutes only to be told that I couldn’t even *think* about scheduling an appointment without my insurance card in front of me. Okay, annoying but I understand. I asked my boyfriend to help me find my card. I find my insurance card, and I call back this morning.
Again, I’m on hold for about 15 minutes before anyone answers the phone. Now I’m excited. I’m finally going to see a doctor to solve my post-​nasal drip and sinus issues that have been plaguing me for years. I have my insurance card ready, I know my plan is covered by their office. And then the woman on the phone. Such a downer. «You were referred here how long ago?» Yes lady, I’m sorry it took me so long to follow through on booking a doctor’s appointment. That’s what happens when you don’t have a lot of money and a bad insurance plan. That’s also what happens when LIFE gets in the way of your plans to solve these issues.
I wish offices like this would just have a banner on their front web home page saying «We don’t want to deal with you unless you’re paying cash,» because that’s the vibe I got from this office. I have a top-​tier Covered CA plan but I guess this office doesn’t want or need my business. I hate the American health care system more than almost anything in the world, and the wasted days I spent trying to book an appointment here reaffirm that.
There was no information on their site stating I would need a referral, and when I called yesterday, the woman answering the phone made no mention at all of the referral process. I know that American health care makes all this more difficult than it has to be, but still. I’m really suffering from some bad allergy issues and the last thing I need is to deal with a barrier BEFORE I even get to see a freakin’ doctor. As highly rated as this practice is, I think I’m just going to go see another allergist because I can’t deal with the whole «Show me your credentials!!» vibe that the practice gives off.
I really wish doctors & medical offices understood that people come to see you because we’re not feeling good. It’s your job, your duty, to fix us, not shove us away at the door.

I’m writing this solely based on the fact that I’ve been waiting over 30 minutes to just schedule an appointment. Which is absolutely ridiculous.

Dr. Welch is a miracle worker.
After nearly 9 moths of suffering from sever sinus issues I was referred to his office. The booking process is tedious, but that’s the norm with specialist and dealing with insurance companies. The staff did a good job of getting me through everything with as little trouble as possible.
When I went in for my appointment the office staff were very on top of things and Dr. Welch was fantastic. He spent nearly an hour taking my history then went out of his way to get some test results I had been waiting for. His staff had to lean on the other office a little to get it done which was very nice of them. Getting the answers right then and there eased my mind and helped Dr. Welch form a plan to get me healthy. And the plan worked! I’m incredibly grateful!

Terrible experience. I went in to arrange for allergy shots, the first step was the scratch test, after leaving I was told I would be called in about 2 weeks when the serum was ready. I heard nothing for a month, so I called to check, and was told that it should be in soon. Another two weeks went by, I called again, and this time I was told that they had not yet ordered the serum but would do so that day. Three days later I called again, and was told that they would order the serum the next day. So now it is close to two months after I first visited, the serum was never ordered, I was never contacted to be told what was happening, this medical practice is obviously in need of some administrative help. I ended up getting my test results and going to another practice that can actually treat me.

All the doctors here are top notch. There is an injection room staffed by nurses. They really care about the patients here and medications/​insurance follow through are fantastic and fast. Never a problem with my care. Very happy vibe here!
If you get to be a patient here, consider yourself blessed and lucky!!!

Dr. Welch is a diamond in the rough. I can’t praise him enough. He is a fantastic doctor and really cares for his patients. The practice is amazing & all of the staff from the front desk to the nurses are all so caring and nice. I have seen too many asthma doctors to count in my lifetime and I am so grateful to have found his practice.

5 stars for Dr. Greiner, who is a fabulous doctor and charming person. My kiddo loves him. We’ve been seeing him for 5 years now and like him so well that would never consider going somewhere else. Once, he was out and had to see Dr Ostrow. She was equally amazing.
4 stars for the office. It recently converted to operating under the umbrella of Rady’s Childrens Hospital. Staff is capable and friendly but front desk told me there is a bundle of new procedures and paperwork that they are working through and that takes time. Also, there are more clients and it is 3 months wait until 2^nd child can be seen as a new patient.
My feeling is that they are overwhelmed and this situation can improve or not as time goes on. Crossing fingers.

I can’t say enough about the staff and doctors here!
They are all very friendly, they got me in right away, and was able to jump through the hoops to get my insurance on board. I saw Dr. Greiner, who explained everything to me in a way that I could easily understand.
My experience here was Awesome! I wish there was more stars to give…
Thank-​You, Tammy Smith

Dr. Welch has helped my kids control their asthma and bad pollen allergies. He is friendly, caring, and a good doctor.

Dr. Greiner is a great doctor. I have very complex allergies and Dr. Greiner is very understanding and extremely helpful when treating me. I haven’t found anyone better than Dr. Greiner.

Saw Dr. Greiner In the Encinitas office with my 4 year old who has allergies. Dr. Greiner and the staff were friendly and personable. We had a really good experience and they even mailed a follow up plan detailing all we discussed.

I get allergy shots here every week. Everyone that works here are so attentive and nice. I used to get my shots done in San Jose when I lived there and I must say this allergy and asthma facility is MUCH better!!!
Sometimes when my eczema is very bad I will go in and see if they have appointments for that day and they can normally squeeze me in so I do not have to suffer a few days to see a doctor like other places. Overall, amazing.

I used to do allergy studies here a couple of years ago. I had nothing but great experiences as a participant. I have horrible year-​round allergies and it was great to be able to try out new medicines and contribute to the research.
The research coordinator that I always worked with was super nice. Ugh… its been so long I don’t remember her name, but she is I think Filipina with long black hair. She would call me up whenever there was a study that I would qualify for.
The location was near my house so that was an extra bonus. I never had to wait long on my visits. The details of the studies were always well explained to me and I was always promptly compensated for my participation.
I stopped going because I had gotten pregnant so couldn’t do anymore studies for a while. Will definitely contact them again and get back into it when I can dabble with trying new meds.