When we moved to the Monterey Bay, a huge concern was finding the best Otolaryngology doctor. We did just that when I was referred to Dr. Joel Jacobson. I have ongoing challenges with my sinuses which include several surgeries in the 80's. When we arrived at this very well run office I was greeted immediately and assisted to complete the necessary history and insurance information. Dr Jacobson was warm, friendly and professional from the first moment we met with him. He took my involved history and addressed my medical situation with skill and concern for my comfort. Because of the complicated sinus problems we knew surgery was likely going to be advised. A revision to the 1980's approach was critical to my being able to breathe and smell and function without ongoing infection, headaches and malaise. All treatment approaches were detailed and questions answered with thoroughness and patience. We chose to have the surgery asap and all arrangements were expedited. The operation was skillfully completed and recovery was smooth as expected. Dr Jacobson is my new best "go to" sinus doctor. Luckily, I have not needed him as I am able to breathe and sleep and not be ill with sinus infections!! I highly recommend Dr Joel Jacobson for the care of your sinus health. He really does care about his patients and is devoted to his profession. Do not put it off...you will feel and breathe so much better!!! read more

As for Dr Jacobsen he is a stellar doctor, however reaching their office is atrocious. You go to a voice mail, and I have NEVER received a call back. I have tried different extensions to reach a live person and have NEVER been able too. They need to employ staff to man their phones as part of their customer service. If you can't reach your doctor, it absolutely effects your patient care. read more

If I could give zero stars, I would. The staff is consistently rude, the doctors always seem rushed, and appointments rarely start on time. During my visit I asked to speak with the office manager. I could clearly hear her behind the half wall whispering to the staff to tell me she was "unavailable" while she continued chatting and laughing with employees. It was incredibly unprofessional. What was even more concerning was being able to hear staff openly discussing patients and complaining about their jobs from the front desk. Patient privacy and professionalism should be taken much more seriously. Overall the atmosphere felt disorganized, disrespectful, and unwelcoming. I would not recommend this office. read more

Do not waste your time here--they have absolutely no respect for patients. I had a scheduled appointment at 9:00 AM at Central Coast Head and Neck. An hour and a half later, I was still sitting in the waiting room. I asked the front desk twice if there was an issue with my appointment, and both times I was brushed off with, "You're the next one." After waiting for 90 minutes with zero progress, I finally had to walk out. The lack of care and basic communication here is deeply disappointing. For a healthcare provider, they make you feel completely invisible. Compassion and respect for a patient's time should be a core value, but it's clear they do not care about you at all. Avoid this place if you want to be treated like a human being. Not even a start! read more

Getting someone to call me back has proven to be impossible! I've left numerous messages on their Voicemail and still haven't heard back from anyone in their office. I'm just trying to ask some questions about hearing aids I bought from them several years ago. read more

Hard to recommend this outfit but they have an ENT monopoly locally so there's nowhere else to go. The accounting office sends you Final Notices and threatens to turn you over to a collection agency having NEVER sent out a bill in the first place. One of the doctors (SV ) can't even diagnose Eustachian tube dysfunction because he won't even look at your nose. Just says your ears look fine, there's nothing wrong with them, and says to get a hearing test. A simple dose of prednisone from my PCP plus a saline nasal solution cleared the congestion. He never addressed allergies, inflammation, medication, nothing. Get a hearing test. Bye. read more

I was very happy with the service I received from Joel. He is excellent. The staff was excellent and the surgery date in the surgery room was very upbeat and look like everybody really gets along that works there. It's a real pleasure to have this type of healthcare service in Monterey I would highly recommend it.!! read more

Update to my earlier review. Waited 1.5 hours today to remove stitches because the doctor was scheduling us between surgeries (which my uncle also had with them and THAT ran late, it seems this is their M.O. Also the office ladies didn't say anything to us during that 1.6 hour when the entire office filled (we were 2nd to arrive in room) and then emptied and refilled AGAIN. I had to go up and request an update as to what was going on... twice. This is the worst front desk/customer service. And the doctors bedside manner are also not worth waiting for. read more

I had an appointment with Dr. Jacobson on April 10th. The waiting room was packed. The receptionist was very nice and very thoughtful. I told Dr. Jacobson I had been sick since March 16th. I told him my symptoms: sore throat, continued cough, ear ache, fatigue, and laryngospams. I also told him I had had breast cancer in August of 2012, and that I had opted not to take an estrogen blocker since my lymph nodes were clean and the doctor had removed most of my breast. I told him that my oncologist at Stanford informed me that if I chose not to take the estrogen blocker and my cancer came back (somewhere else in my body) in 10 or 15 years (it's been 12 years), we would be able to treat it but not cure it. This information didn't seem to phase him at all. He was very rushed and not focused at all. He actually left the room in which he was examining me twice, once right in the middle of a question I was trying to ask him. He told me everything looked fine and sent me on my way. I still have every symptom. Not a very positive experience at all. And I'm back to square one.... read more

Let me start by saying Dr. Casserly is wonderful and I would recommend him to my friends and family 100% without a doubt. However, the issue is not with the doctor, it's with the front desk + customer service and the office's time management. I have gone to see Dr. Casserly twice now in the Monterey office and both times the waiting room was jam-packed where I had to wait 1-2+ hours AFTER my appointment time to be seen. Additionally, the gals at the front desk are rude and unwilling to provide any sort of help with questions etc. After my second appointment, I had a question for Dr. Casserly that I had forgot to ask during my appointment and called the front desk the following day to ask, I STILL have not heard back and have called 3+ times, as well as emailed (they gave me an email to his assistant) and it's been over 2.5 weeks now. There is no messaging system online so you can't use anything other than calling their office which is completely pointless. Overall, if you can I would go somewhere else. read more

Be Prepared To Wait I have had two appointments with Dr. Casserly, both times he kept me waiting forty five minutes. The second time I walked out because I had an appointment and could not wait any longer. he has absolutely no respect for patients' waiting time. read more

Had to wait 45 minutes to see the doctor. The exam room was dirty (grimy floor, stained chair upholstery, walls marked up, foam cover on a chair handle half torn off) and dated (35 year old poster of ear anatomy, so old it had turned yellow). Dr. Vetter considers himself a comedian, but asked, Do you have a sense of humor so if his comments fall flat it's on you. Wasn't interested in any history I could bring to the problem. Told me what I came in telling him. At least he was not completely dismissive and did order additional tests. And avoid the stairs; the carpet is off-gassing. read more

Fuck this practice. I called to schedule an appointment with them due to having white lesions in the back of my throat. Apparently the office stopped accepting my insurance the very day I tried to schedule an appointment after my insurance company received authorization and sent a referral to the office. The receptionists are rude. Hopefully you don't ever need to go here. God help you. read more

Do not recommend this office to anyone, but especially pediatric patients. The staff was rude, hard to work with, nearly impossible to get ahold of via phone, rarely responded to messages and very disorganized. My 2 year old son was scheduled to have a surgery, went through all pre-op procedures (to include 8 hours of fasting) and was told the morning of the surgery that it could not happen because the coordination with the anesthesiologist wasn't done. Dr. Vetter apologized many times and said he would call later that day to help expedite the surgery at a different facility. Not only did he not call back but he wouldn't return any calls or messages...period. We ended up getting the surgery done at Stanford Pediatrics and when I explained what we were previously told about the surgery/recovery the new Dr was very surprised at how outdated and incorrect the information we had been given was. Glad we didn't go through with the surgery there, but it was a huge waste of time and effort I hope others can avoid. read more

The only otolaryngologist available for my husband hearing loss was Dr Casserly in Monterey with a location in Hollister once every 2 weeks where we live. So once we received the diagnostic, we were directed to Dr Ramsey hearing specialist in that office who recommended one very costly device but with the guarantee that follow up would be easy in case adjustments were necessary. This turned out to be a big mistake. We are not able to take a day off to go to Monterey, the Hollister office has limited days and times and I had no luck in getting a response from Dr Ramsey for a December appointment while we are off. I just now found out we first have to see Dr Casserly in order to get another appointment with Dr Ramsey... read more

I come to this place on May 13 and I have a bad experience, with the receptionist, MARLEN, she was very rude to me, and racist. My question is do I have to have blue eyes for you to treat me the same as other patients? I asked to speak with the manager of this place, but the manager had the same attitude, she ignored me.. read more

Dr. Vetter is amazing! Very kind gentleman. Especially great with children! My son is 5 had Dr Vetter just did removed my son's tonsils. Explains things very well!! read more

Do not waste your time with Dr Casserly. I'm not even sure why he's practicing. I was referred to him for vertigo. I literally cried in his office telling him I can hardly complete daily tasks due to my vertigo. He did a hearing test, told me I was fine and sent me on my way.......after waiting two months to get into him! Had to wait another month to get into a neurologist who diagnosed me with labrynthitis. Thanks for the wasted three months of agony Dr Casserly......oh and for the hefty bill. It's Dr's like you that ruin our medical system read more

Personally, I found Dr. Vetter gruff, dismissive, and (ironically) a poor listener. His quick assessment was that I had hearing loss "I hate to say it, but I think you have some hearing loss") though I said I could hear fine. He did then set me up for an audiology exam, but surely there is a better way to speak to a patient? Like: "Let's do a hearing exam just to make sure . . ." A hearing test elsewhere showed that my hearing is fine. I wouldn't go to him again. read more

The staff here do not have any regard for your time. Wait times for doctors exceed 45 minutes on a regular basis. This is no way to run a business or a doctors office. My family has seen multiple doctors here and the experience has been the same regardless. I was told at my very first appointment here that my appointment had been cancelled. No one notified me. The appointment hadn't been rescheduled. Just cancelled. This was my first impression and unfortunately it never improved at subsequent visits. Don't waste your time here. read more

Saw Dr. Steven Vetter here. I was actually warned by our family doctor who referred me here to make an appointment, but ask for someone other than Dr. Vetter. When I called, only Vetter was available otherwise I would have to wait 2 months. So I made the appointment anyways since my doctor was concerned about my condition. Big mistake! Vetter was the most unprofessional doctor I have ever encountered. He dismissed my symptoms and implied I was making them up not even 30 sec after coming in the door. I told him I was only here because my primary care physician was the one who was concerned. He didn't even examine me medically. Never looked into my throat or ears, he just listened to my first sentence, cut me off, and made up his mind that it was all in my head. Anytime I would try to give him more background he would abruplty cut me off. Went back to my primary care doctor who then referred me to another ENT practice. There the doctor actually listened to me, actually examined me, and found the issue. At first he was surprised that the previous ENT didn't catch it immediately, but when I told him it was Dr. Vetter, he said, "oh, OK, yeah, never met the guy but you're not the first who has been referred to our practice after seeing him." Started treatment that day. read more

Three days after my primary physician submitted an urgent referral, I was granted an appointment today. I was asked to come fifteen minutes early to fill out paperwork, even though the office DID NOT OPEN until the time of my appointment. The words "thank you for waiting" or "I'm sorry" do not appear to have ever escaped the mouths of the staff, who treated me with brusque and impersonal efficiency. Nonetheless, after I had waited 45 minutes, I asked if it would be necessary to cancel another commitment elsewhere, which I assumed to be a safe bet at 9:45. I was told that the doctor would be another 10-15' (?!), would I like to reschedule. Again, had someone (anyone!) apologized or made an effort, I would have continued, but I had seen enough. I will seek attention elsewhere. read more

Dr. Jacobson is the best! He cares, takes his time and solves your issues. He's an amazing doctor!

Dr.Jacobsen is awesome, and I really think he cares . The scheduling staff member Ms.Gilbert was a nightmare. She gave me such a hard time, I couldn't believe it. She was unhelpful and had attitude to boot. read more

Terrible experience! First, I had to wait for over an hour to see a doctor after my scheduled appointment. Second, the doctor was rude and mocking. He said I was "perfectly fine," even though I have been having issues in one of my ears for weeks. Please, please! look somewhere else before even considering going to this office. read more

Had a sinus infection. Was recommended to go here by Dr. Wilkins at Doctors On Duty on Lighthouse. The receptionists were awesome. I ended up waiting almost an hour to get in to see Dr. Vedder. I waited about another 20 minutes. He barely looked at me and gave me a bunch of prescriptions that did nothing. Do yourself a favor and go see someone else, maybe one of the other two doctors there. This guy is a stereotypical doctor that doesn't care. read more

Staff's courteous but wait time seems to drag on forever. My wife and I comes in for a 2PM appointment and 34 minutes nothing's happening. We both still need to get back to work. I use to think appointments mean appointments I guess not anymore. read more

It depends on which doctor you see. Central Coast Head and Neck Surgeons are the only group in Monterey that have ear/nose/throat specialists. I have been treated for years by Dr. Terrence Trapp in the same practice and he's the best! He gives the impression he has all day to listen to the patient describe their symptoms. I'd been to several other doctors including two others in the group before seeing him and he diagnosed my condition immediately. It's worth the drive to Salinas to see him. read more

This place is a rip off. I only had an allergy and the doctor gave me some unnecessary diagnosis. Anybody knows that one office visit could cost you $670 for only an allergy? Please NEVER GO there again!! read more

Dr, Joel Jacobson is an outstanding Otolaryngologist, whose expertise, kindness and professionalism encouraged me to write this review. I have been his patient for several years and am continually impressed by his knowledge and caring. I would highly recommend him if you are having any issues with your ears, nose and throat. read more

We are "out of towners" and had a tremendously wonderful apointment with Dr. Steven Vetter today. For the past 3 weeks my 11 year old daughter has been bothered with "something in my throat." 2 strep tests over the course of 3 weeks, and now "on vacation" we insisted on a referral from a local "Dr's on Duty" - (Sunday) who said "it would just pass" to a local ENT. We called "Central Coast Head & Neck" at 8:30 am (Monday) and "Sarah" could not be more accommodating. She set up an apt for us at 2 pm (Dr's were in surgery that am), and on time we were seen. Dr. Vetter saw us around 2:10. He was extraordinarily amazing with an 11 year old girl. Explained everything in simplistic detail and was able to make the "nasal video scope" seem like no big deal. He even showed me what he was looking at and then "zoomed back" so I could see a "puss-ball" by her adnoids in better perspective. He electronically prescribed antibiotics to the local pharmacy and we were out the door by 2:25 .... He told my daughter that in 2 days she would feel amazingly better. She already does feel better! We live full time in So Cal and have 2 younger daughters and much experience with our local ENT ... Dr. Steven Vetter set a new "high-bar." I am very grateful to him and his staff and could not be more impressed. Thank you again. Kind regards, Kim Ireland, Laguna Niguel, CA read more

I have had a continual issue with my nose and congestion and made an appt here w/ Dr. Ameet Grewal, a young doctor with the group. I was so pleased!!!! She helped me with my problem, demonstrated using the netty pod to clear sinuses and was so personable and friendly. I highly recommend her to anyone with allergy or nose issues. read more

I brought my daughter in earlier today to see Dr. Joel Jacobson for the first time. We arrived in good spirits. We wound up having to wait 50 minutes before being seen, which would have been forgivable had we received good care. But Dr. Jacobson breezed in and was out again in 5 minutes. He seemed friendly, but also very rushed, and not very present. I left with unanswered questions and the sense that I had wasted our time by coming - a nearly 1hr drive each way. read more

The doctors are wonderful. The staff lacks empathy. Try as a recurring patient to get in for an ER visit? Good luck. The response is "we don't take drop ins". Too bad they have an monopoly in the Monterey Bay area. read more

DO NOT SEE DR. VETTER! We were referred to him from our MD for a pre-existing condition that required surgery. He lacks proper bed side manners and is inept in diagnosing without properly viewing records and past CT Scans. He further damaged my ear drum with a routine exam. See another doctor!! read more

The team of surgeons at Central Coast Head & Neck Surgeons were excellent in my opinion in doing my husband's thyroid surgery where stage one cancer was found in the very early stages. Dr. Nowak did a great job on both surgeries, and had an excellent bedside manner with my husband both times. As well as Dr. Trapp being very patient and so helpful to talk to after hours when my husband was having some discomfort and concerns after the surgeries. Thank you!:) read more