Most people complain about their billing because they have no idea their anesthesia is being…read morecontracted out to a third party, so when they have anesthesia problems they post it over on their provider's listing when they should be posting it here.
ASMG has a virtual monopoly on anesthesia care in San Diego. In my experience, there is no accountability when they hurt patients. I've had three total interactions with ASMG and all were negative: one because of billing, the other two because of poor patient care.
Billing: in 2002, I had a minor wrist surgery at Scripps Green. ASMG attempted to force me to pay almost $1000 for the care they provided. My insurance said Scripps was supposed to pay. Scripps said my insurance had responsibility for the bill. Barely old enough to enter a bar, I found myself calling all three, repeatedly, trying to get someone to pay it because I, a broke college student living with my mom, wasn't responsible for it under the terms of my coverage. Scripps eventually paid it.
In 2008, I had a thyroidectomy at Scripps Green. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Zinser, looked right through me when I met him and I had a gut feeling something was wrong. When I mentioned that I am a natural redhead because the gene mutation has consequences for anesthesia and pain management, he laughed it off. This is a proven scientific fact, and even in 2008, was well known. He allowed me to wake up too soon from the surgery (another physician once told me he probably turned the gas off too soon) with zero pain control because something happened to my IV. He didn't chart what happened, didn't tell me what happened even after it was OBVIOUS I had been conscious during the procedure and after numerous complaints. He was never held responsible for this severe safety lapse that left me with PTSD I still struggle with almost 20 years later.
Unbeknownst to me, UCSD also contracts with ASMG so when I had a colonoscopy in 2025, I was, unfortunately, under the care of Dr. Guy, another ASMG anesthesiologist. My IV infiltrated during this very routine 10 minute procedure. Propofol went into my arm. I shared the image of the large, abnormal bruise I developed after this procedure. It wasn't evaluated or charted, nor was I given any post-procedure instructions. I've been in pain for almost a year now with an injury to the radial nerve because of this mistake. Again, a safety issue that went unaddressed and unacknowledged which is why I am posting it publicly here.
Both UCSD and Scripps then treated me like a pariah in the course of trying to get care for this injury, forcing me to go to LA to find someone who doesn't have the "ASMG bias."
It's clear there's a culture of zero accountability and little care for patients. It's about getting paid.