In these days of big corporate healthcare it is nice to see a Dr who is professional and takes their time to understand what concerns their patients have and then work with the patient to manage those concerns. Dr Schaefer is a doctor who cares about the patients and their care read more

First Choice Medical has two offices, with Dr. Goldman being the head doctor at both. I have only visited the Eastport office, however, so it is the only one I can review; Upon arriving at the Eastport office, Dr. Goldman DEMANDED that I step on the scale, despite me going into great detail about why this course of action was detrimental to my health: After struggling with disordered eating for ten plus year, my team of eating disorder specialist collectively decided that I should only be weighed in by my psychologist (who I see every 4-6 weeks). This, along with other behavior modifications, has given me my life back; I eat without restriction, I don't feel the need to exercise off every calorie I consume, I enjoy going out with friends, AND most importantly I am healthy enough to start law school next month. This was explained to Dr. Goldman. I offered to sign a release form and suggested that he coordinate with my psychologist to best manage my emotional and physical health. He then jumped into a long monologue about needing my weight for insurance coverage. This is not true for ANY patient, but I offered a weight range (accurate within ten pounds) and to call my insurance to verify coverage; his response "Next time, for now just get on the scale," disregarding my concerns and arguing with me for ten minutes. After hearing about insurance policies, he then tried to tell me how medically necessary BMI was. Keep in mind that the doctors that I had seen the past decade were much more qualified to know the importance of weight and what numbers me than a primary care doctor and they were the ones who told me to avoid the scale. PLUS, I do get weighed; and my psychologist tells me if I'm maintaining or not. (When I'm stressed I mostly lose, and she'll up my calories until I'm "back to maintenance") So the only time I don't have an accurate number is when I've lost or gained, but for the last six months I've maintained (and maintaining is considered five pounds below or above my target weight) The difference between ten pounds is NOT medical significant, least of all for women who fluctuate 3-5 pounds naturally throughout their cycle. My weight is WELL monitored, just not in the traditional way that he is used to. His demands were completely arbitrary. At one point I offered to call my psychologist from my cell phone and she could explain the situation to him since he clearly wasn't getting it. As a primary care doctor, his job is to coordinate with the patient and any specialists they are seeing. He brushed off those attempts as well, and pulled the "I've been doing this longer than you have" card. He refused to talk to an important part of my health team, and instead was condescending and rude to someone who was simply trying to safeguard their mental and physical health. He, as business owner isn't much better either. Last year I had seen one of the PA's in his office for fatigue and extreme body aches (by the way I didn't step on the scale then and the insurance company obviously paid). After running a bunch of test they couldn't find what was wrong so the PA concluded that I must have been "stressed" and that I should "try yoga." Long story short, I went for a second opinion and that doctor there discovered that I had a severe case of Lyme disease, which six months later I'm still fighting. I emailed Dr. Goldman a stern, but polite, email. Here is part of it: *My complaint is that on my last visit I was made to feel as if the very real illness that was happening in my body was nothing but an occurrence in my head. If had not been as diligent and proactive in my own health care as I was, I would I have simply gone to a psychologist or bought a self-help book. Lyme is a very treatable illness, but it is also a very progressive one. Without treatment, I would have continued to get sicker and sicker. I am writing more for the benefit of other patients rather than myself, as I have finally been put on the right course of treatment. I realize that medicine is not an exact science, and doctors misdiagnose all the time. Knowing this, I think it is of the utmost importance that doctors take all patient complaints seriously, even when various test fail to show an answer. Please trust that the majority of your patients will know their own body well enough to realize the difference between a mental and physical problem. To me, it is worth spending time on the very few people who might actually just have a mental problem if it means not dismissing those with complicated or tricky illnesses to diagnose.* While Dr. Goldman responded to my email, he was more interested in making excuses for his PA than acknowledging the problems highlighted. When I pressed the issue he said he would look further into it, yet never followed up afterwards. He is unprofessional to the highest degree, and maybe he is a decent doctor (I really don't know) but that gets lost behind everything else. read more

Dr. Schaefer is very unprofessional. In the middle of my exam she took off her mask even though I was still wearing one. Never told me she was vaccinated. This is the only doctor I have gone to during the pandemic that ever did something like this. Besides that the secretary Kelly upfront is nasty to patients. It is so hard to get an appointment here and after my last experience I'm done with Dr. Schaefer. read more

PROS: + James Taggart, P.A., is precise and efficient. + Nurses are similar in their handling of patients. (I appreciate how honest both individuals were; they made small talk bearable.) CONS: - The wait time is without rival. (I waited for one hour and forty-five minutes.) - The front desk staff are nonchalant. (They wanted me to fill out new patient forms that I already filled out and prefaced as soon as I walked in, and apparently they wanted to keep my ID and insurance--which were buried under a stack of papers.) Recommendation: Bring a book. read more

The last time I went to this place was for Thyroid Blood test for my medication refill. I told the front desk, the PA who saw me and anyone else who would listen, I was between insurances and had to pay for all tests myself. So I just wanted my thyroid blood tests done for now as I did not have the money for all the other blood tests (Complete Blood tests) that they ran on me just 6 months prior. It cost me $300+125 for Thyroid panel. That was with 75% off coupon! "No problem", they said, "we understand", they said. The PA precedes to take 5 Vials of blood from me! I said, "Why so many vials for my thyroid test?" She just nodded and "We need it". I said "I am just getting my thyroid done, nothing else, right? " "Yes", she assured me. Well, guess what? A few weeks later, I get the bills for both tests. Another 300 plus 125. I called and complained to someone on the phone who sounded as disinterested in my complaint as she could be. She called me a few days later and said "Well, we did send you a coupon so you get 75% off". I lost it, I told her what happened, and she said well there was nothing they can do now. It was a complete repeat of tests just done 6 months prior....what a freaking scam. I complained to health boards, but they don't do anything either. Maybe some doctors there are good, but when they go against the very thing you ask them not to do, well, they are wrong and are not in the "Health" business anymore. This happened in 2017. Maybe they have gotten better, I don't know, because I left and never looked back. read more

This is a very well-educated but down to earth doctor. I am a registered nurse for over 30 years. She is no longer with First Choice, a move that I applaud. Wait times are now minimal, and the clerical and medical support staff rate a B+. Dr. Debbie should be rated a full BOX OF GOLD STARTS. Knowledge, compassion, understanding, and a great listening ear...everything I want for me and my family! read more

This review is a long time in the making. Since people tend to utilize social media now to do research on where to go, i felt this review was necessary and long overdue. I have been a patient there for a long time. In fact, 20 yrs, too long. So this review is legitimate. When they first opened years ago I was referred there by a friend. Back then you actually saw a doctor. Dr. Goldman was and still is a great guy. He cares for his patients. The problem is you don't get to see a doctor there most times. A matter of fact I have not been treated or examined by a doctor there in at least 10 years. Fortunately i'm not sick often so I tolerated the long waits for the past few years. However now after waiting 3 hrs for my son to be seen by a P.A. I decided to seek out another doctor to treat my family. Its my opinion that the long waits are due to the fact that they are now a walk in clinic. Chose a doctors office that sees their patients not anyone off the street. Remember this......The first thing you will have to do at First Choice Medical is pay your co pay. Don't do it until you ask how long the wait is. Since they are now a walk in clinic be prepared to wait up to 3 hours. There is absolutely no reason why a patient should have to wait that long. If you don't believe me, ask anyone who has ever been to the office. The office is now terrible and not like it used to be.....GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!! read more

Love her, she actually listen to you. I'm so happy she left First Choice. That place has become a hell hole. They actual called me and asked if i would like to make an appointment....... I was like "No" I'll be making an appointment with Dr. Schaefer at her new office. read more

Dr. Schaefer is the BEST! I have followed her from Sayville walk in clinic to the dreadful first choice medical (only for the sake that she was there) and I was thrilled to find her here in Shoreham! It is always a pleasant experience and she is always so knowledgeable and helpful in helping with whatever is wrong at the time and has great references of other amazing drs if you need one for a specialty... I also love that the wait here had been short and sweet! read more

I went to see them yesterday in the Eastport office. Didn't have to wait long an miracle in it's self. Told them my glands were swollen so they prescribed antibiotics. I told them to send it to CVS but instead they sent it to express scripts. So if I want my antibiotics I would have to wait 5 to 10 days to ship. Called the office to tell them they made a mistake to please call CVS, which they haven't done yet and to please call me but they haven't done yet. So I am now looking through my medical insurance provider for a new doctor. Will miss seeing Dr. Schaefer I really like her but the office is not running well read more

***Please note that I have filed a Grievance Report and also a Misconduct Complaint with the New York State Department of health for misconduct and negligence!*** I recently switched providers after my doctor, Dr. Shaeffer, who left without notice at Lawrence Goldman, MDs practice First Choice Medical.  I established my first patient visit with Dr. Brian K. Mcnulty (my current provider) in Center Moriches on December 6, 2017.  During my first patient appointment Dr. Mcnulty provided a form for consent to have my medical records released to their medical practice from First Choice Medical.  On December 11, 2017 I received a bill from First Choice Medical stating I owed them $21.75 for "medical records copy per page", along with procedure code S9982 dated for 12/08/2017.  Upon reviewing the bill I also noticed that my Social Security number is not correct under my name, but my husband/sponsors is corrects.  I called the office on the evening December 11, 2017 and left a message with the receptionist requesting to speak either with the Billing Manager or the Practice Manager. I did not receive a return phone call.  I called December 18, 2017 and requested to speak with the Practice Manager.  I was informed that she was not available and Tasha transferred me to Pam, who worked in billing.  I explained to her that First Choice Medical should not be billing patients, along with active duty military families, for Patient's Records being transferred between medical practices. I also expressed my concerns that their office has lost my medical records three times while being a patient there, which contained all my medical records from VA, MI, and AK.  I also brought it to Pam's attention that my Social Security number was incorrect, and I was concerned with how their office is strictly "paper only" and that they have not switched over their medical charts to digital files. Pam did not seem concerned that my Social Security was wrong, even after asking her to review my first initial Patient Form that I filled out back in 2015.  She said she did not need to see it because she had the most current one from 2017.  I then asked to look at the original Patient Form in 2015 and she refused to oblige me, for I am sure she did not have it because my medical file has been lost more than twice.  She then transfered me to Amanda.  I explained the same things to Amanda about the charges and the wrong Social Security number.  She seemed to have a condescending attitude and said the charges are for each page, which is 75 cents per page.  I know for a fact that I have more than 20 pages of medical reports, due to the ER visits, CBCs, periodic Thyroid Panels, Ultrasounds, CTs/Rads, multiply Urine Analysis, along with previous medical records transferred from previous doctors office located in East Quogue, NY.  I asked Amanda for the Practice Managers name and phone number where she may reached at.  She informed me that the Practice Managers name is Lisa, and her phone number is 631-585-5858.  I called and left a voice mail for Lisa requesting her to please call me back in reference to the dispute of the bill and the Social Security number. Later on that day, December 18th, I received a phone call from Katrina.  Katrina stated she worked in billing and informed me that in order for my new provider to receive my medical records I would have to pay.  I then reiterated what she said, and concluded that they have not sent the records to my current provider.  I asked to speak with the Practice Manager and Katrina stated she left the office and the message was forwarded to her.  I told her to leave another message with the Practice Manager to call me back ASAP.  I hung up with Amanda and called the Practice Managers number and left a message requesting her to please call me ASAP regarding the billing and the Social Security number. My concerns are this: 1. The charges with medical records for transfer.  I have never had to pay for my medical records to be transferred to another medical practice.  2. The fact the my Social Security number is wrong and the office does not express any concern.  I would think this could be a HIPPA violation, along with misconduct and negligence on their part.  3.  The prior history of the First Choice office misplacing/losing my medical chart more than once and having to recreate a new chart, which I witnessed them creating a new chart while in one of the medical rooms.  I know I have more than 20 pages of medical information from that office, and they are denying it.  4. That they have not converted to digital/electronic medical chart. read more

Too long of wait no matter when you go-plan on at least 1.5 wait. Also be aware of those extra copays typically always done for throat cultures, breathing tests, etc. watch your Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company-those never are just a copay charge and you will have a credit on your account- but they don't remind you the next time you go in. read more

The wait times CAN be long, BUT compared to Dr Seodat in Riverhead, it's a piece of cake. Everyone needs to understand that the healthcare system in this country is in disarray. I'm sure most would agree, but you have to understand that this means MOST Dr's are now REQUIRED to fill only 15 min Dr slots with EACH PATIENT. Yes, you can wait up to an hour before your name is called and then wait 15 mins more for the assistant and/or Dr. I feel like this is common sense, but I'll say it anyway: MAKE SURE YOU MAKE AN APPT. You CAN walk-in, BUT I wouldn't suggest it if you have limited time. Regardless, I have received nothing but excellent care from Dr. Speir. I went to Dr Schaefer and some others in the practice a few times and it felt incredibly impersonal, but Dr. Speir, she's amazing. Attention to detail, obvious genuine care for her patients. I'm actually pretty upset that I only found her about 6 months ago because I'm now moving out of state. She has prepared me to do so, with giving advice on my trip medically and for transferring my medical records for a smooth transition. I'm diabetic and have a multitude of health issues; she addressed them all without me having to even bring them up! Dr Speir is there less these days, but she is available Mon and Wednesdays. read more

I had reservations about this place in the past, in fact I stopped going there a few years ago due to poor service but I recently stopped in to get stitches for a hand injury and I was treated very well. P.A Ken was professional and the new staff was friendly. read more

I trust Dr. Goldman with my life. His insight and thoroughness are unrivaled. He's easy to talk to and understands the concerns of his patients. I'm lucky to have found him and wouldn't use any other doctor as my primary care physician. read more

This is the worst doctors office if you can all it that that I've ever experienced. My husband waited for hours to be seen with an appointment this happens every time. His vitals weren't even taken, the Dr huffed and puffed as she was annoyed to even be seeing him. Didn't listen to any of his symptoms and rushed him out of the office. They are thieves as a Dr you are supposed to help people not just want to get paid. This place should be shut down and the Dr's need a new profession. My husband returned home with no help from them. He had a fever and was taken to the hospital. read more

Front desk staff are not organized, often can't find paperwork. I never get return calls about prescription refills or paperwork I am requesting. If they need more information or something, the staff does not call you. read more

If your medical plan allows, go somewhere else. i've been going there several years and they can't seem to call my prescriptions into the proper place. in the last 3 years, this has happened 6 times, even after i'm specific which rx gets called into which place. i guess no one cares because they can't get it right and are far from nice about it. the level of incompetence for a doctors office is truly scary. i'd give negative stars if site allowed. read more

I had a very bad experience every time I went to First Choice Medical. First of all even though you make an appointment you have to wait for like 2 hours to see a doctor. They have no empathy for anyone elses time. The office is poorly managed. Aside from over booking patients they dont send you bills in the mail but expect you to pay when you show up for your next visit. So on top of the co pay they will say you owe like $60.00 and in order to see the dr. you have to pay what they tell you. Even if they never sent you a bill and it was an error on their part. My advise is dont go here unless you have a lot of time on your hands. read more

I just saw Dr. Schaefer yesterday, and I cannot express enough how thankful I am to have found her. Dr. Schaefer is in a class amongst herself as a provider, as she is simply the most knowledgeable, kind, thorough and empathetic physician that I have ever met. Her approach is a comprehensive focus on not just ailments, but on all areas of wellness- social, psychological and nutritional. Dr. Schaefer is an outstanding advocate for the integrated health of her patients. read more