My Family and I have been going to Dr Bastidas for about 15 years. We follow him whenever he changes his office. He is friendly, easy to talk to, and has always diagnosed our ailments correctly. Never any issues with billing/ scheduling or anything. Great guy. read more

I was a patient of his also at the Algonquin location for less than a year. I'm not sure of Dr. Bastidas' scope of practice, but I chose him b/c he was Family Practice--which to me means "handles a bit of everything". However, this guy tried to farm me out to a different specialist at any opportunity he could, stating he "doesn't do that", or "doesn't feel comfortable" with that. I'm sorry, but what was medical school for? Surely they covered things like prescribing birth control pills, removing small, benign cysts or diagnosing a kidney infection??? Apparently, those are out of his 'scope of practice' because he refused to do those for me. Next, expect any of your test results or messages to be returned by his nurse, Gracie, not him. If you're fine hearing a new dianoses from a nurse, great! Any questions during that call? Well, you'll have to be seen in the office for that. (I wasn't aware it was legal for an RN to give test results and diagnoses to patients before the doctor had told them first, but perhaps that law has changed.) What became the last straw for me there though was when I went in for what I thought might be a bladder and kidney infection. He was fine treating the bladder infection, but refused to diagnose the kidney, instead telling me I had to be seen in an ER b/c he wasn't "comfortable" with ordering a CT scan and diagnosing it himself. I ultimately went to the ER that day, waited 6+ hrs to been seen, had my CT scan, got my diagnosis, and a different medication than he prescribed for the infections. I called his office the next day and broke up with him!!! Seriously! The last reason I hate this office is b/c I was still billed for it and expected to pay for his (lack of) service that day! When I tried to get in touch with their office mgr, I was told by "Katie" that Carol Krinsky doesn't have a phone number. I pressed on and finally was given a contact number, which I called, spoke with her directly, and was told she would "look into it" and get back to me the next day. NEVER happened. Weeks later, several calls to their corporate office landed me in touch with a "Laura" who again took my info, promised to pass it on to a Maxine Cunningham (Asst. to Chief Medical Officer) who would then review and call me back. NEVER happened. A week later, I called their Corporate offices again, was given a Sharon Gardner's (Patient relations of AMG) number, only to discover after calling it a few times that it is an old number no longer in her use! Then, I was put in touch with a Kathy Needly (Mgr of Quality...), who again took my complaint, promised to review and call me back. She at least, did call back when promised, but what she had to say was complete bunk. Claiming that b/c of diagnosis billing codes used that day in office, the issue was addressed and therefore the bill is due. Never mind, that my Kidney infection was NOT addressed, or that the meds prescribed weren't for the kidney infection, and that it was a dual complaint I had: bladder AND kidney! Love that creative billing! I have been specific here and given names to 'out' the people who are in management positions, but fail to communicate, follow thru, or just plain do their jobs when a complaint is brought to their attention to give anyone reading this a very good idea of what they may encounter. I don't take this review lightly, as I had been a patient of a previous Advocate office for over 20 years and had several Family Practice attendings/residents in that time frame (lots of doctors come/go in this area). This one doesn't measure up IMO, based on my history. Also, I was briefly employed at an Advocate hospital as a nurse early on in my career. I divulge this info b/c this "not my problem/ I don't care" mentality of management was NOT the way we did things. In fact, the motto then was, "Go the extra mile" which is in no way reflected by this doctor, his office, the manager there, or the management mentioned above! I'm ashamed to admit my association to Advocate if this is the mentality now:/ So, if you're ok with seeing a physician who isn't "comfortable" handling most health issues his piers (Family Practice) are, and are ok with being sent to multiple specialists, and also ok with any problems or complaints being brushed aside and ultimately ignored at management level, then this might be a great place for you, otherwise, based on my bad experiences here, I would RUN the other way. read more

I went to Dr. Bastidas after my doctor left the practice and did not tell anyone he was leaving. This was at his office in Algonquin. When I made my appointment everything was great. Dr. Bastidas was very nice and made me feel comfortable. Thinking everything was great I left and tried to make another appointment. This is when things got interesting. The lady at the appointment desk made me wait because she was talking on her cell phone. She even held up her finger like "hold on." When she was done she looked up and asked, "What do you want?" Needless to say I left. Thinking to myself that everyone has a bad day I did not hold any grudges on the practice. That is until my next experience. I was diagnosed after a blood test with high cholesterol and needed a precription filled. I called his office on a Friday at 1pm and they told me that he left for the day. This seemed to be the usuall for him. Don't say you are going to be there till 5 and leave at 1pm. Not only that but they never filled the prescription. I had to go in and call a number of times before my prescription was filled. Oh it gets better. I play hockey and dislocated my shoulder. This was on a Sunday. I had to go to the emergency room and they requested I see a therapist for the injury. I called Dr. Bastidas's office on Monday to have them request someone and guess what... he wasn't in. They said he would call me back the next day and he never did. I called three times that week and was told each time that he would call back and he didn't. I finally took matters into my own hands and found a therapist on my own. He requested that my doctor call and get things set up with my insurance because I have HMO and needed a referal. Well weeks went by and nothing. The therapist even called a bunch of times and, from what he told me, they were very rude. I was not able to get the therapy. Two months went by and I received a call from Dr. Bastidas's office. Shocked, I asked what this was concerning. They said we have the referal ready for you on your shoulder injury... I laughed and told them that was months ago! I am one of those people who read these reviews and never write one. My only purpose is to make sure nobody goes through what I have. If you come across Dr. Bastidas name find someone else. I wish that I was able to give negative stars. Horrible! read more