UCLA Health Santa Monica Bay Physicians

I went to Dr. Ramsay for my annual physical, and she did a standard check up. Then I was called in for a follow-​up, where I was basically handed a print out of my results and was charged $ 170 for the visit. I called my insurance, since annuals are covered 100%, but they said it was billed as a regular visit and so I had to pay the entire cost out of pocket, no discount. I called the doctor’s office and they wouldn’t change the billing code and threatened to take it to collections. That’s $ 170 plus 3 hours out of my workday for being handed a print out, that other doctors usually mail out. She’s a nice competent doctor, but the business is a complete rip off.

I came down with a bad head cold before the holidays and asked a colleague for a physician referral. She recommended Dr. David Cutler and highly agree. He was no nonsense and wasn’t a doctor that just writes you an unnesessary prescription to get you out the door.

Went there for a physical check up, waited over 2 hours until dr. velinda paranal showed up, and told me that i cant do physical before my insurance checked and sent me home… then i got a bill of over $ 200. I called ucla mediacal center and was told, «this is just a standard fee for an office visit (for nothing???).» «we tested your blood pressure (i can buy a blood pressure monitor at $ 50),» «you should have asked for the cost… nobody will tell you if you don’t ask…(really?! after I made the appointment of physical checkup, you just assume it is an office visit?)»

I recently reviewed ucla sm bay physicians. I am happy to report that thanks to Tennia at ucla health after almost 2 years the billing problem was finally settled. Thank you Tennia and Unilocal.I still would not return to that doctor’s office

Dr. Shendrikar and the other doctors with whom I’ve interacted at UCLA Health Santa Monica Bay Physicians have been fantastic. Now that I am living in the Bay Area, my appointment availability has shrunk, but the doctors always do their best to squeeze me in if I need an appointment. Everyone is respectful, helpful and answers questions even in a non-​appointment context. I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a doctor.

WATCH OUT — They will charge you $$$
I scheduled a new patient appointment for my husband. I called and asked to schedule a physical appointment and was told by the scheduler that before he could have a physical he needed to come in for a consultation appointment where the doctor would get his medical history. (WHAT? He’s a healthy, young man with no history.) I told her that I did not want a consultation and would only come in for a physical appointment. She put me on hold and said she’d have to ask the doctor because that’s not what they usually do. When she returned, she said that Dr. Nagata would make an exception and she scheduled the physical appointment. If only I would’ve stopped there!
My husband went in for the doctor’s appointment and Dr. Nagata proceeded to do a «consultation» appointment, exactly what he said he wouldn’t do, and told my husband to schedule another appointment for his physical. When my husband came home and told me I was livid! Who has time to take a day off of work, let alone two days for doctor’s appointments?
A couple of weeks later we received a bill in the mail for $ 400+ for Dr. Nagata’s consultation appointment that we were responsible for paying because our PPO insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was a consultation and not a treatment. My husband called the doctor’s office, but they said we were responsible for the bill and that was the fee. The insurance company also refused to pay.
We paid the bill, but we will NEVER return to this office, NEVER refer any of our friends and I will continue to tell my friends and family to watch out for this shady practice. Dr. Nagata wanted to charge us for two office visits. In the end, my husband never got his physical appointment. What happened to the «U» in UCLA???
You are being warned!

This review is for the Suite 1070W location. Dr. Buddeberg is great and very thorough. The real reason for my review, however, is for Luis. He is the front desk, patient coordinator and ABSOLUTELY wonderful with patients. I have been going to this office for over 2 years, and with each visit I’ve gotten to know him more. He remembers my name, listens attentively to my concerns, has answered all of my questions and is always so pleasant. Every time I leave a message for the doctor, he returns my call and has my question answered by the end of the business day. I really feel he goes above and beyond because he cares about the patients. He is always genuinely in a good mood and that makes you feel better when you are in a doctor’s office feeling under the weather. LUIS is so wonderful! I can not thank him and the office enough for making me feel like a person and not a «patient». Great person. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a doctor soon :)

DR. Erhart is absolutely the worst doctor ever. He will never schedule appts with you to discuss your problem. His only concern is making money. That means lots of surgical appts and what not while patients wait up to 2 hrs in the lobby. Once he sees you his main point is to convince you that surgery is the option by lying to you about your condition. i have seen so many dissatisfied patients with Dr. Erhart. Please save yourself the time, trouble, and anguish and avoid Dr. Erhart.

Suzie Q’s Fun Facts:
Physicians and surgeons were once members of separate professions, and until the 1700s or so, traditionally were rivals.
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Dr. Nagata has been my primary care physician for several years now. I stumbled upon him because I’d visited SMBP’s urgent care clinic on the weekend (every SMBP doctor has to work a monthly shift there), and he’d treated me. So I decided to stick with him out of convenience, mostly.
On one hand, Dr. Nagata clearly knows his stuff. He doesn’t get flustered and remains calm in the face of uncertainty. His wilderness medicine experience also means that he’s rugged, sporty and not easily ruffled, so if you show up with just a minor ailment, don’t expect a ton of compassion or concern. He is very responsive via e-​mail.
On the other hand, Dr. Nagata has done a few things over the years that have annoyed me. To wit:
— Once, he injected me with such a high dose of steroids for a skin condition that it knocked out my immune system and caused a more serious, opportunistic skin infection to set in. When I came in for a follow-​up, he took one look and referred me to a dermatologist without examining me or performing any tests (which surprised and irritated the dermatologist when I showed up at her office). Clearly, he wanted to make me «not his problem.»
— Two years in a row, at my annual physical, I’ve reminded Dr. Nagata that I have asthma. It’s not severe, but it is «active.» And twice in a row, he’s ordered an inhaled flu shot, which is contraindicated for asthma sufferers.
— On my last visit (I’d been rear-​ended in a car accident and wanted to get checked out), Dr. Nagata walked into the exam room and started asking me the kind of questions you ask at a physical, e.g. do I want certain prescriptions filled, etc. Then he started to walk out of the exam room without even having mentioned the accident or examining me. I had to pointedly remind him that I was here for a reason, e.g. an accident. «Oh,» he responded, seeming confused. He spent 15 seconds examining me, and then dismissively started to teach me postural stretches. I felt like he was annoyed that I’d bothered him.
— During at least one physical exam, I’d mentioned low blood sugar issues. He was dismissive (again), condescendingly telling me that many people think they have blood sugar issues, but it’s really caused by stress and hormones. And left it at that. No empathy… no tips on coping with the problem… nothing.
Still, Dr. Nagata is competent, knowledgeable, responds quickly to inquiries and seems to care about his patients, albeit in a sometimes offhanded way. There are worse traits in a doctor.

I went on Monday to have some blood work done. I was told 3 business days to get results that would be delivered via their online system. I got the results on the 4^th day and had some major questions PLUS experiencing some problems that they told me to keep an eye on. I attempted to call, and write and call and write but APPARENTLY they are off for Cease Chavez day. What the heck is Caesar Chavez day AND why are they celebrating it on ³⁄₂₇ when he was born on ³⁄₃₁??? This is soooooo ridiculous I don’t even know where to start…

great physicians
clean facility
horrible parking

Today was the actual physical, which comes after the «Getting to Know You» appointment. If I was a doctor, I’d do it that way myself. It makes good business sense.
Anyway, even though I was told the doctor was running late, I waited only about 30 minutes (most of it in the exam room) and then Dr Paranal came in as if she had all the time in the world. We discussed my preference for alternative care (see my review of Majid Ali, Chinese herbalist) and she was courteous, knowledgeable and supportive of my preference. What an exceptional human being Dr Paranal is, not to mention an excellent doctor! Wow. I’m really lucky I found her.

Dr. Aladag is as good as it gets for a primary care doctor. I moved here from NYC and have had chronic health issues for the last 3 years. I was so stressed out about having to find all new doctors during the moving process. By chance, I started to see Dr. Aladag. She’s young, smart, and she actually takes the time to listen to you. Most recently, she saved me when my specialist didn’t get back to me with test results before a weekend. Even though it wasn’t her ordered test, I emailed her in desperation, and she called me back late on a Friday and had pulled the test from the UCLA system. When I thanked her, she said that she felt that primary care doctors should be the catch-​all when a patient falls through the cracks with a specialist, like I did. A+
My fiancé goes to her, too, and even he thinks she’s great (and this coming from a guy who can’t stand going to the doctor)!

The staff here is rude, particularly the receptionist who sits closest to the entrance of suite #1070. My first visit there and will not be going back. I’m seriously furious — do not deserve to be treated like that at all.

After looking for what seems like ages for a primary care doctor through our insurance we have finally found one! I did a ton of research and found Dr. Aladag. My wife had her appointment with her first and really liked her and then today I had an appointment with her for a physical and she is so nice! She was really helpful and talks to all concerns and is really knowledgeable. I also really like the fact that they are a part of the UCLA medical group so you can actually register online and email the doctor through there as well as get test results when they first come out and schedule appointments and everything! I love that it’s really easy to get in touch with Dr. Aladag. The receptionists and nurses are also really nice as well! I’m so glad to have found this place :)

Dr. Vladimir Manuel, is simply stated one of the best MD’s in the country. He listens, he cares and knows medicine inside and out. Most of his patient’s will never have something as complicated as the two diseases I have faced. He has stood with me and saved my life. I have been to UCLA’s two most famous Doctors and they although very skilled are not on his level. Having helped write medical legislation for the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Clinton, I have been surrounded by the best Doctors in the country. Dr. Manual is not just one of them he is amongst the top 5 in the country. HE IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH AND I CREDIT HIM WITH SAVING MY LIFE.
You never wait longer than 20 minutes to see him. As a patient you get into his office, given vitals by a nurse and he walks in the door on time.
I am unfortunately an expert when it comes to Doctors. I was diagnosed at 16 with Juvenile Arthritis that started to get worse. At 28 I was diagnosed with a second muscle disease. At 31 – 33 I had to use a cain and could barely walk. The pain was so bad I wished at times I woke up and wish I hadn’t. Dr Manual showed compassion and gave extra attention to my needs both emotionally and physically.
After being at the National Institutes of Health and run out of options at John Hopkins and Sibley Memorial Hospital. I went to UCLA and by chance ran into him at urgent care in Santa Monica where he became my General Practitioner
Dr. Manual was different he not only cared he challenged me to get better. He explained what he believed were my excuses that kept me from getting healthier. He showed me what I could do to make things better immediately. While we worked through different medicines with care and multiple approaches that included medicine, Physical therapy and even non traditional medicine.
THE RESULT: My pain medicine has been cut in half and I am starting to jog. I have seen Doctors at the greatest hospitals in the world including John Hopkins, Sibley Memorial, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Cedar Sinai.
I have had three of the most famous Doctors in America two of them at UCLA. After at least thirty physicians and specialist I say with confidence he is one of the best in the country. He will push you and hold you accountable with a caring loving way. If he is not your Doctor now — call the office. I am sure UCLA realizes his talent but does not understand the extent of how much of a gem they have.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Greenspun for 2 years now, and he is a great primary care physician. It’s really easy to schedule an appointment with him, I’ve called in the morning and was able to come in that afternoon. He is a great physician, and is very direct. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a general practitioner who is reliable and trustworthy.

5 stars for Dr. Manali Shendrikar!
She is my primary doctor and she is so great! My mom sees her, too.
If you are looking for a primary doctor then I totally recommend Dr. Shendrikar!
Parking’s a little funky but once you get the routine down, it’s not that bad. Centrally located in Santa Monica, which is great!

Ok I agree that sometimes the staff can be a bit of difficult situation, but Dr. Greenspun himself is a wonderful doctor. No frills, straight to the point, and he really cares and remembers you.
The biggest winner with him is that he has a rule to never turn away patients and will take same day appointments if you really need it. That is highly impressive because I always have an emergency that needs to be seen immediately.
I was referred to Greenspun from my coworkers after checking his score out online and he was able to get my leg healed better than my previous doctor (I was in a bus accident and had a large laceration that was infected for 3 months which my prior doctor did NOT take care of).
Greenspun gives you attention, time, and listens to your needs and request.

While I did give one of their doctors (Needham) a pretty good review — a review I am definitely updating — this one is about the whole office. They get one extra star just for the fact that when you absolutely need to see someone, they’ll find a way to squeeze you in. As for the rest of their attributes, I give them one star.
In the course of the two years I utilized their physicians, I had many opportunities to be treated badly by the staff. They once put me on hold for thirty entire minutes, then claimed they had not forgotten about me, but «needed more time.» I would have said «just call me back,» but they never — not once — managed to do that as promised.
When I tore a muscle in my shoulder and was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep for nearly two weeks, I called in begging for help. Not simply drugs, as I’m generally not a big pharma fan, but something — ANYTHING. It took them four weeks to get me in for an MRI, as they repeatedly failed to send over the information, and then I had to go in and get it, and physically take it to UCLA to have the test scheduled. After a year of pain, I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon, who requested my MRI/​arthrogram data, and even with direct calls from the surgeon’s office, SM Bay didn’t send what was asked for.
The front desk staff can be really brusque and in the entire two years, they overcharged me on my copay by $ 10 every time, even after Blue Shield informed them they were doing so. When Blue Shield and UCLA parted ways, my husband and I were happy to say sayonara to Santa Monica Bay Physicians.