Joseph A Habis, MD

Dr Habis saved my life. I saw him because he was available same day and he is now my primary care physician.
I had some symptoms and another dr ignored them. I had the symptoms again and made an appt with Dr Habis.
He sent me for a test (even tho I didn’t have symptoms currently) and within hours I got a call to get to Emergency right away. So began a week stay at the hospital due to a life threatening condition.
If he had ignored my symptoms too… I wouldn’t be here writing this!
My gratitude is endless.
I have seen Dr Habis on a regular basis since and am always happy with how he cares and how he listens and responds to my complex set of conditions.
The woman at the front desk and Tina who checks you out are both stars!
Like others I have had some problems with the phone staff in the past, but hopefully that is improving.

l I feel fortunate to have Dr. Habis as our internist, as he relies on scientifically objective tests and is thorough. He has also consistently shown an exceptionally open mind not flat-​lined by indoctrination.
A word about the review, below, by the patient complaining of being dismissed: The best doctors know the limits of their own knowledge and specialization, and when to refer patients to specialists who are supposed to have, and to apply, the knowledge and skills required. In referring the patient to a specialist, Dr. Habis did precisely as doctors are supposed to do: act in the best interests of the patient.
In the context of the unconscionably high incidence of dangerous, and often deadly, medical care out there that so many patients, and their families, have had to cope with, Dr. Habis stands head and shoulders above many in his profession.
This is a review concerning the quality of care rendered by a physician; in life and death matters, an occasional frustrating lack of organization of a doctor’s office staff is, by comparison, trivial.

This place is horrible… stay away. FAR FAR away. If you have REAL medical condition go elsewhere.

We changed insurance and were forced to find an alternative provider. Joseph Habis was accepting patients (I now understand why). He is curt and provides virtually no insight. I was okay because as a PH. D scientist I have far more knowledge than the average patient. I kept him because he provide me my maintenance meds and ordered the lab work I requested. However, he always ordered the basics and did not pre-​emptively order tests to detect early conditions. My last lab results shown elevated lipid and serum glucose levels which should have triggered attention. Instead, I received a phone call saying he was not refilling a low dose antibiotic (for a skin condition and not life-​threatening condition) until I saw him, An overt example to get money from the insurance company. I am not making regular appointments, so they need to hold my medications hostages to force me to go in for nothing. I would avoid this practice, especially, if you need real medical attention. I need to get my wife out of this practice as her experience is equally absymal…

UPDATE:
Presumably, due to my Unilocal review, the doctor (Nushrat Ullah) has dropped me with a letter suggesting I use the «county medical society» instead. Not only is this doctor disconnected and unconcerned, but seemingly uninterested in any other point of view than her own and willing to retaliate when challenged.
I was told by this Dr that it’s their standard practice to not allow consults with the Dr. Questions and concerns can only use the front desk as a go between.
IF YOU WANT EFFECTIVE MEDICAL CARE, DO NOT CHOOSE THIS DOCTOR!

Unfortunately, I have another bad review for Dr. Habis. My 25 yr old son saw him for a pre-​op History and Physical for orthopedic surgery. My son was born with a chromosomal abnormality and has had multiple medical issues since birth. Dr. Habis, in this pre-​op check up, never gave my son a questionnaire about medical problems or past surgeries, nor did he ask him about his medical history. He checked his vital signs and listened to his lungs, ordered lab work, and that was it! Terrible, terrible Dr! Negligent beyond words! I would like to give zero stars, but Unilocal makes you give at least one star.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Habis for several years and I’m inclined to agree with others — he is detached, disinterested, careless about medication and doesn’t put any effort into resolving issues. I’m not sure if something happened to him, as he used to be pretty good 3 – 4 years ago, but I’ve gone back and the best word I can use to describe him is «dismissive.» I have relatively minor issues compared to others, but some have been persistent — and Dr. Habis simply won’t work with me.
I’ve voiced stronger and stronger opinions to him and he continually downplays my concerns, ignores my observations and makes trite and meaningless recommendations that don’t help. As others have mentioned he pulled me off of one medication and put me on another due to a supposed interaction. I look it up, ask another doctor about it, and the other doctor laughs — there isn’t even a remote chance of an interaction. He has no idea what he’s talking about or simply doesn’t give a shit anymore. Either way I’ve had enough — I’m going to find a new doctor.

Dr. Habis has seen my 88-​year old father for about 4 years now and has always been so kind, thorough and patient with him. We are extremely pleased with him, the facilities and all of his staff. A doctor is even available to speak with on the weekends and after hours. I am so surprised at some of the other comments– my father can be trying and difficult and Dr. Habis is a gem with him. I know we are extremely fortunate to have him providing my father’s care.

What a waste of my time! Dr H asked why I came. I gave a 5 minute thumbnail of the past year with 2 heart attacks, 2 surgeries, a 3^rd on the way, multiple hospitalizations. My husband asked if he wanted to take on my care. He said it was a complicated situation but he likes a challenge. He took the records of my recent hospitalization to copy. He returned to tell me I can pick up my records at the desk and dismissed me! He asked no further questions. I was flabbergasted. He thought this was an appropriate «get acquainted» session. He certainly got me in and out very fast, if that is what you need and want.

I was unable to schedule with my regular doc, however he was available. He was on time, able to test and diagnosis me quickly, and even had samples of medicines to give for free, saving me a trip to pharmacy while I was feeling yucky.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the average patient. I’ve got a host of Autoimmune disorders that make my needs more than than normal. However, unless you are OK with just being a number and having less than 5 minutes with your doctor, then skip your appointment with Dr. Habis.
When I was having bad symptoms with a medication, he took me off it and put me on another. He did so however without warning me of any possible withdrawl symptoms I might have. When these symptoms appeared immediately, I was also not called back by the doctor himself, but a nurse who was laughing when I answered the phone. On top of that, he had about 2 words of advice for my precarious situation.
Only advantages of this place are easy to book appointments, otherwise, if you want more from a doctor than a deli counter, find somewhere else.

Dr. Habis and his whole staff, from front-​office, to fellow Physicians, are very Competent, Progressive, and Personable. For the past 6 years, my daughter and I will not go anywhere else because of the prompt and fair service we always receive at Prima Medical, mainly by Dr. Habis, Dr. Lohtia (excellent Pediatrician!), and the front-​office staff!
Best way to describe Prima Medical is that everyone there is ultra-​smart, keeps up on everything in their industry, yet they have that ‘Marin’ down-​to-​earth humbleness that they want to know more about you and what’s going on with YOUR life and your health above all else.
The (only 2) luke-​warm reviews in here represent someone who is either always ‘a glass-​half-​empty’ kind of person, or was having a bad day no matter what, or an excagerator (or, of course, all of the above)… I’ve called Prima Medical (even the answering service) COUNTLESS times, even on weekends or at 2am, and I was ALWAYS consulted promptly over the phone, and most of the time even got a prescription called-​in (for antibiotics, etc.) by the doctor-​on-​call until I was able to come in for a follow-​up. They have also squeezed me (and especially my daughter) in to see the doctor on the same day on plenty of occasions.
You can’t go wrong going to Prima Medical Care for your 1^st-​Line Medical Needs.

Dr. Habis is the best! He attends to my needs when I can’t get in to see him. He is very attentive and caring!

Great doctor with a great practice!!! Nice and spacious waiting room, very prompt attention, great staff, easy parking, and an overall great medical experience. Efficient, effective, non-​judgmental and very high tech. Your paperwork is ready as soon as you leave the visiting room. Your prescriptions are e-​mailed to your pharmacy, the Doctor is great and you feel extremely well attended to. Highly recommended!!!

I like to give everyone a chance so though I was not totally impressed with Dr. Habis the first 3 times I went, he didn’t really do anything really wrong either. I could tell he was just in a hurry and not listening, I was just another number. I didn’t have a laundry list of complaints either just one. When I complained about the pain he just told me to stretch, not to come back and tell him how I feel in a week or a month or take this or that. Well come to find out I had a real condition that if detected early might have made a real difference in the care I now have to endure. Not to mention the pain. Needless to say I have moved on. The lady at the front desk of my new Dr. jokingly said «wow another Habis patient, he’s making us rich» LOL
P. S. would it kill your staff to smile when checking in, once in a while I mean I know it’s not the Four Seasons but a pleasant staff goes a long way.

WARNING — Getting reception staff to fill prescriptions correctly, if at all requires constant babysitting and repeat calls.
I switched to Dr Habis in December after Dr El Ghoneimy left the same Civic Center practice. I needed my usual 3 months supply for the price of 2 prescription filled and spoke to the receptionist who promised to have Dr Habis fax my prescription to Medco in early December… nothing happened. I am really busy at work so finding time to call is a real challenge.
I called again in late December — again I was promised the prescription would be faxed… nothing. Medco called me to say they couldn’t fill my prescription.
Finally I called exasperated in mid January and the receptionist sent off for the 3 month supply… and I received a 2 month supply. Dr Habis had indicated a lower dosage and automatically instead of getting 3 months I received 2 months supply. Now my refills are used up until March, Medco refuses to refund so thanks to Dr Habis wonderful reception team:
— it has taken 6 weeks and 3 calls (and lots of time on hold) to get a simple prescription filled
— when the prescription finally did come it was wrong
— I was unable to benefit from the 3 months for the price of 2 supply, the entire point of going to the inconvenience of using Medco
I haven’t meet Dr Habis, he himself may be very good, but he needs to ensure his reception staff is much more customer oriented. Heads would roll at my company if we gave similar service.

Thanks Dr. Habis and Staff. I had an urgent problem and was able to be seen the same afternoon I called. I know they squeexed me in but I did not feel rushed. My prescription was sent in electronically while I was in the exam room and ready when I arrived at the pharmacy. Great service!

Dr Habis was referred to me by a friend of mine who is a Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Marin General. His recommendation included his opinion that Dr Habis «is a smart guy». Since my friend is one of the smartest people I know I considered this extremely high praise. I have been a patient for 6 years now and I must say that I am very happy and my friend was absolutely right about Dr. Habis being really smart. The office is very modern and runs smooth as silk. It is a busy office and can be hard to schedule an emergency appointment but I believe that speaks to the high quality of care offered there.

(Joseph Habis MD) The Terra Linda Office Prima Medical Group is a bad Medical group in my opinion. Never did I experience such treatment from other Doctor’s offices. For example, I had a persisting fever, sore throat, and body aches; on the fifth day of my illness, I decided to call the doctor because my symptoms did not subside. (9:05 am) After being on hold several times, I was finally able to talk to the receptionist. I described my symptoms to her, and she puts me on hold once again. When she came back on the phone, she told me the Doctor could see me the next day at 11:00 am. With my patience running short, I ask if she had talked to the Doctor about my symptoms, and she replied, no. So, I mentioned that most Doctor offices are able to see a patient with such symptoms the same day. She went on to say the Doctor was double booked, and she was trying to squeeze me in the calendar and all the other Doctors in the group where also double booked. So, here I was with a receptions providing triage. I also want to say, this is the third time this has happened to me at this Doctor’s office. I am switching Doctor’s today.

i was delighted to be in and out of the doctors office within 20 mins today.
this included the time it took for me to pee into a cup at which point they checked the sample for bacterial goodness.
at the time of prescribing medication, Dr. Habis typed away in his ultra modern and somewhat sci-​fi laptop, asked me what pharmacy i use and viola! the prescription is electronically sent to the phamacy and awaiting my arrival for pick-​up.