Being told to come in 30 minutes early, or we would be charged a $25.00 fee. We got here 40 minutes early, and to wait in the waiting room that was brutally hot on a day that hit 95* for the day, for 35 minutes PAST THE APPOINTED APPOINTMENT TIME. The excuse was that the office staff is in training, and the doctor had an emergency at a local hospital. Dr Pallickal was the one we saw today. He is VERY THOROUGH and are very thankful for him. When we were here for a different day for an appointment, same long wait time, and the care quality was sub par at best. They kept telling my husband he had sleep apnea, when he DOESN'T have it!! On the doctor, we give a five star review read more

Horrible wait times with appointments. I've been stuck in the exam room over 30 mins now. My appt was @ 4:15 and now its 4:50 and still waiting. NP Ellen Fung is very nice and detailed. read more

This review is not specifically for Dr. Kroe, he was professional and courteous in person. The process of addressing sleep apnea is ridiculous (maybe that's b/c of insurance company). Appointment after appointment. Then the staff doesn't listen at all. Assembly line customer service by design. You figure with enough bad reviews, they'd attempt to address the problem. read more

As of 6/9/2026 the issues continue to pile up. Despite being a long term patient there, I received a call today from Charlene, who did not announce the call was recorded (illegal in California as I did not consent to being recorded.) Then she told me that I HAD to arrive at least 15 minutes early. When I asked why this was requested because I am not a new patient, she said "because it's protocol." When I pushed for clarifications she said "to fill out forms." When I stated that none of my information had changed except the insurance for which I had come in in person TWICE because their staff would not serve me over the phone due to my unwillingness to submit my private information (insurance) over an unprotected/unencrypted link, she became silent. I continue to ask the questions that were still without answers so she just hung up on me. Although Dr Kroe may be competent, having an office where staff routinely mistreat patients speaks against him. A doctor with incompetent staff that violate health and privacy laws might be guilty of some form of misconduct. Surely, allowing the mistreatment could be an issue. They also first told me my appointment was in the 11th which I wrote and repeated in person to Liz when she gave me the appointment, but she was quite miffed with me for challenging their right to be unhelpful and incompetent, so I think she gave me the wrong date on purpose to screw up my calendar. There's no other explanation when you think I repeated "June 11" and she said yes even though it's June 10th. If you love yourself, find a practice that isn't sinking in unlawfulness like this one, probably taking advantage of the government's inability to enforce the law under Trump. ------------------------------ ORIGINAL REVIEW: WARNING: NOT HIPAA-compliant - see below I've been a patient 8 years and have sleep apnea and a CPAP. Service by front office staff has always been difficult, but since they've outsourced all phone service to the Philippines it's become impossible to reach anyone or get anything done. Today I called to make an appointment with Dr. Kroe. My insurance has changed so I was asked to scan both my insurance cards and send them to pasadena@foothillpulmonary.com. When I complained that unencrypted emails was not HIPAA-compliant, the person told me that all the other patients send it that way. Well, all the other patients should be warned that their information is being sent in plain text over an unsecured link (the patient has to agree and should be warned!!) So I went to the office in person to give them my insurance card. I lined up with other patients checking in. And when it was my turn I was told that I did not have an appointment and I was just going to have to wait. And the wait was endless. People kept coming in. Then she wanted to get my number and call me back. But I told her "You need to make copies of my cards because my emailing them to you is not HIPAA compliant." But she did not have the time to copy my cards. I left my name, but she never called me back so I went back with actual photocopies of my cards before they closed. I was finally able to book an appointment. In a few weeks. But I'm hoping to be able to get into another pulmonary practice because I am sick and tired of dealing with Foothill Pulmonary front office staff mind games. I have never seen an office so horribly manage and I have a ton of health issues and go to many offices that are very well managed. Liz (Elizabeth) is particularly combative and cannot take any criticism. She told me to stop grilling her. I told her the grilling was well deserved because their service is appalling. Plus, I said, I am doing it politely. She did not attack me again. Another staff I have had issues with (who never ever sent my prescriptions to my suppliers without multiple reminders) is Lori Goodwin. It's like the office is controlled by people who's intent is to make the patients as miserable as possible. It's not a doctor's office but a pulmonary mill. read more

Receptionists always helpful and pleasant, doctors professional and involved, wait times not long. Staff seem to all get along, very friendly office atmosphere. read more

I've never reviewed a medical practice group, but this group is literally the worst group I've ever encountered. It's almost impossible to call them. Yet, if you were to brave going into their offices, you'd find that you have hours of waiting. And that's just the front office staff. Other comments echo this, but it seems like a bait and switch. Saw a doctor initially who ordered a test. Testing result was borderline and raised questions -- yet, despite scheduling an appointment specifically with Dr., they switched my appointment to an RN who had to leave the room several times to answer some basic questions. It seemed her primary job was to rent a CPAP to me. Avoid! read more

Horrible customer service! I am a new patient to this office and it is next to impossible to get in contact with anyone in the office! I have had to call the office two times now and I have spent 30 and 45 minutes waiting to speak to someone! All the while I am on hold, I am hearing a message telling me how valuable I am to them and thanking me for my patience! When I did finally get to speak to someone, it was a person "working remotely" which prolonged the phone call because I was put on hold multiple times! This is a lousy way to do business and the worst customer service! Do better!! Be better! Care more about your patients! Our time is valuable too! read more

Lesson learned - always check the reviews before scheduling with a new medical practitioner. Had I done so, I would have saved myself so much pain and wasted time by going to someone else. The actual appointment with Dr. Kroe went fine but all correspondence with his office since to get the actual sleep study referral to a sleep lab (the entire point of the original appointment) has been beyond abhorrent and without any resolution (or care from staff to reach one). I do not recommend this office unless you have tons of money and months to waste - in which case, you should still go somewhere better. read more

I don't understand how all receptionists are Hispanic, speak and read spanish, yet i have to find a translator through my insurance because these lazy employees don't want to help their patients. Over the phone there is no issue creating an appointment but in person is a whole other story. I just think they would rather chit chat and sip coffee all day than help their patients. Don't know how this practice is still up and running. Be proud to be bilingual don't hide it. Awful read more

HORRIBLE PATIENT CARE. Dr. Kroe was fine. Now I can see why this place gets such a low rating. I have been on the phone for 3 days trying to get this office to email a Medicare document to a medical supply company so I can get needed supplies. NO ONE HAS DONE THIS SIMPLE TASK, NOR HAVE THEY CALLED ME BACK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MEDICARE/MEDICAL MILL. read more

The doctors are very knowledgeable but what a shame...this place should be shut down. They definitely need an office manager or if they have one - that person is definitely not effective. I went there for my first appointment and was asked the same questions 4 times!! Once at check-in about my health history - then by the nurse that point me in the room - then by some nurse via a rolled in iPad through zoom and finally by the doctor. Then at check-in out the receptionist said because they were backed up should would email me my order requests and prescriptions. It's been 2 weeks - I called 3x and still no email!! read more

I don't understand how I can make an appointment here a month in advance, take time off of work, drive down there just to be told that my appointment was never made and then lie about the phone call that I had with them? Super unprofessional to deny the proof I showed them about the phone call I had prior to this appointment. It's beyond frustrating to have to come the next day and take more time off work just because they can't put someone down for an appointment when it was even confirmed and set. read more

I am furious with these people. They need to be shut down or at the very least removed from optums and Cedar Sinai referral List. This place has absolutely no manager on site because if there had been a responsible manager then they would keep the office staff from operating clearly what appears to be a frat in the work place. I was at my appointment over an hour early and in spite of it all they made sure that I was not seen by my doctor until 1hr 20 min. after my scheduled appointment time . It's it as if they purposely wanted to made me suffer in their God forsaken smelly bullpen they call a waiting room. My time with the doctor required less than 5 face to face . I spent more time having his assistant take my vital signs then he needed for my simple follow up. All the while I'm sitting listening to nothing but ladies joking around laughing having a party in their little playpen . So unprofessional especially considering there's people there with very serious life-threatening medical issues and the last thing anybody needs is to have to listen to that noise. I'm never going back here , what a nightmare! read more

I really like my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Stanley Tu, but I can't recommend going to this facility. Unfortunately, since it's so hard to get an in-person appointment with Dr. Tu (although he is much more available by phone), I had to visit the on-site Nurse Practitioner, Jaffna Dayag who was horrible. It's more than a month wait to see Dr. Tu, so for me, it was either going to the Nurse Practitioner or Urgent Care again and, unfortunately, I opted for the Nurse Practitioner. When I arrived, she asked about my symptoms, but didn't offer any medical advise other than to continue the medication that I was already taking from an earlier visit to an Urgent Care facility about 5 days ago, despite having worsening symptoms. When she gave her curt answers, I got somewhat angry since she didn't take any additional tests, barely looked at my throat, and determined that because I didn't have any inflammation in my lungs, that I should just finish what another doctor prescribed to me already. Since I was almost finished with my current prescription of anti-biotics, I pushed her on what would be my next steps if my symptoms persist. She did finally prescribe another round of anti-biotics, but only after I kept asking whether I would need to come back for another doctor visit if the prescription that I was already taking didn't work. Anyway, I won't ever use her again, and I recommend that if you're current PCP isn't available, you wait or go to Urgent Care. Unfortunately, due to this experience, and knowing that I can't get an in-person with my PCP, I'm planning to change medical groups. It's unfortunate because Dr. Tu is a very competent and caring doctor. read more

I saw Dr. Saraf during 2017-19 when they had an office in Arcadia. While the service there by front office staff was bearable, in no way NO WAY did I think it was going to get this bad now. Unfortunately due to sleeping disorders, the impact these doctors have on patients make it or break it when it comes to engaging in daily routine and safety. The staff, like everyone are just truly truly incompetent. I have email chains that have no response of requesting/submitting information or refills. I've called countless times in a day, during the week to follow up on medication refills that should be automatically refilled or have a reminder. Instances that actually have happened with this office; - placing you on hold long enough to hit 5pm to connect you to an out of office response when calling at 4/4:30pm - placing you on hold for 10 minutes and disconnecting - connecting you to someone only for them to hang up - documentation and materials that have their old office address listed - blaming the patient for not checking in on medication refills after documentation of calls Dr. Saraf is great A+ really cares about the patient and triages care, but the office and team just... a mess. read more

I took a blood and urine test on 5/21, they told me to call back in 3 days. I called back and they said they needed a week. It's been a week and a half and now they have the results but the doctor is out and they refuse to send them to me. Staff is terrible. read more

I've made numerous calls and have still waited 1 month for this organization to send a prescription order for my c-pap machine. UNACCEPTABLE!! I've notified my primary care provider and Optum to remove this practice from their referral list. read more

Twice we came in for a scheduled appointment only to be told that they called and left messages that the doctor would not be in. Neither time was there a phone message or any indication they called. Also, had one visit with a PA in the office who was dismissive and never asked the patient about his symptoms. She only ordered test after we demanded it. read more

My father was seen by a pulmonologist, Dr. Kroe on May 22nd, 2024 and the doctor ordered a CT Scan. CT scan was done on May 29th, 2024. CT Scan showed that my father had a pulmonary effusion (water between lung and chest wall). My father went to ER on June 17th and the doctors at the ER confirmed that my father had pulmonary effusion and he should have done the procedure in out patient to clear the water out long before and did not need to be ended up in the hospital. The wait made my father's situation worse. My father passed away after battling this condition in the hospital. When I called the doctor at the Foothill Pulmonary and explained that what happened , he said "sorry" that he did not see/forgot the CT Scan report even though the report was sent to him from the CT Scan site on May 29th. He simply did not call his patient to schedule an outpatient procedure. My father could have gone through the procedure and possibly been cured a month ago in an outpatient site and did not have to be at the worsened stage of this condition. He passed away because of not doing being given the proper care a month earlier. This is Medical Negligence. read more

Foothill Pulmonary office is a mess. The don't call back. I have made multiple calls and sent a number of emails without response. The few times I was able to get ahold of someone--they kissed me off with a receptionist that was clueless. The doctors might be fine but the office staff needs to be replaced. read more

Took months for me to get my prescription filled. The initial prescription was not covered by insurance so the pharmacy reached out for a prescription that is covered by the insurance however, the office never responded. when I reached out to the office, I was told to ask the pharmacy for a list of prescriptions that were covered by my insurance. When I reached out to my pharmacy, I was told that they had reach out directly to the doctors office via fax with a list of prescriptions that recovered by my insurance that they had not heard back from my doctors. When I reached out to my doctors and told them that the pharmacy had sent them a fax multiple times, they told me that they don't check their fax regularly and it might have been lost and to just get a list from the pharmacy of the prescriptions that are covered by my insurance and to give them that list via phone. I've never heard of such a thing where the patient has to go out to the pharmacy directly and provide a list of covered medication to the doctors office. I found that so strange that they didn't check their fax Daily. I finally got my prescription, but it took a lot of back-and-forth with the doctors office and it became months before I actually got my prescription. Terrible experience overall. read more

If you want to feel like just a burden to a practice...come here. My doctor retired and used to be here at this practice. Ever since then my experience has been really terrible. When I call, I feel like I am just so obnoxious and irritating to them. The front office fails to relay messages I leave for my doctor or questions I have. It took me 3 weeks to get paper work to my doctor that I needed for work. It definitely is not all the staff, but majority of my interactions in the last 2 years have been pretty poor compared to before. I definitely feel like just a number on a chart here. read more

I have copd. The Dr ordered medications which he said they would call my pharmacy which is Cvs. This was 8/30. I called my pharmacy 8/31/2022, no one called for them to fill my prescription. I called again after 3 days, still nothing. I went to 2 CVS locations just in case they got confused but cvs said they would know by just checking their computers. Today 9/7/2022 I called the office myself, and again the lady who answered the phone said she would pass the message to the dr's assistant. One would think that having a hard time breathing & going to a pulmonary specialist everything would be take care of in a timely manner. I have Medicare & Aetna PPO gave my $40 copay still service was not worth it. Mind you this is my 3rd call read more

Good place to go. If you have sleep apnea the doctor I have is great very friendly and professional. The office experience is very good. I would recommend her friends. read more

The staff should make the patient know upon scheduling an appointment that there is a rated parking fee at the location. So depending on how long you take, the more you have to pay. Masks are mandatory. Only one stall for the ladies restroom for the entire medical plaza. Each time I called I was on hold for at least 3 minutes. The waiting area/lobby was very warm and stuffy. While waiting in the lobby, one patient said they've been waiting for months to get an authorization/referral and said no one ever calls him back. So he came in person to get help. Another patient was told their appointment was canceled but claims no one told them. Not worth the $8 I paid to park just because my dr moved from Arcadia to here. read more

I see reviews in support of Dr. Tu and I agree he was nice the one time I was able to get in to see him. 3 months after my first review and still no difference. He is impossible to get a hold of. His nurse is impossible to get ahold of. I have to rely on the front staff to relay messages on medication. In the year that I have been here, I haven't had a prescription filled on time due to this. So yes, he might be "nice", but does that mean he is a good doctor if he treats his patients this way? At this point I will be changing my primary care, but giving a heads up to anyone else out there in search of a doctor. I'd say steer clear of this place! read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Saraf for almost 10 years. The only time I was asked to produce proof of insurance was for my first visit when he was back in the Arcadia office. My last visit was to his Pasadena office was March 2023. I was not asked to provide proof of insurance. Today, upon check in, I was asked for my last name. I was asked if there were any changes to my general information or medical insurance, and then to provide proof of insurance. It seemed odd to me, specially after the clerk heard how I pronounced my last name. Immediately, Wendy asked me for proof of insurance in Spanish (that's not the troubling part, more on that below). I mentioned to Wendy how in March I was not asked to produce proof of insurance, to which she responded that technically, patients are asked to provide such proof for every visit. I thanked her for that valuable information, and emailed a digital copy of my insurance card. Wendy was not rude, she was just doing her job. A couple of minutes later, an older Caucasian gentleman with an Anglo sounding last name checked in for his visit. Wendy only asked if there were any changes in the insurance information, but did not request the gentleman to produce proof of insurance. It would be remiss of me not mention how only I was asked for proof of insurance and not the white man behind me. You may want to make sure to treat everyone the same, regardless of their perceived race or ethnicity or spoken language or accent and be more transparent with your policies/practices in order to avoid Civil Rights violations that are governed by law. read more

I am appalled at this place. 4 months to get a follow up appoint after a sleep study. Office called again and again to reschedule. You cannot get the same person twice. You get conflicting information. Last appointment was not with the doctor that ordered the sleep study and it seemed perfunctory at best. read more

Some time ago, my primary care doctor retired. This facility was the facility I followed him to after I initially found him practicing at another Pasadena facility. I was very sad to have him retire. He was great. Since then, I have visited this facility fewer times. Unfortunately, my latest appointment this week was shocking. This facility has re-instituted covid protocols and mandatory mask wearing. Due to available evidence readily available to anyone, there is absolutely no need for mask wearing anymore. That a medical facility still enforces this now useless practice only convinces me as to how unscientifically sound their facility is. And if a government mandate is the reason, all the more reason for me to distrust this facility. I have one more appointment and after that, I will look for another doctor in my area, such as my primary doctor who has not required any mask wearing for about 2 years. Shame on Foothill Pulmonary. read more

I'm a transgender individual who's been on HRT for 29 months and for some reason for help pulmonary clinic cannot call me by my preferred name even though I've gone in three times since and told them every single time to call me by my preferred name The only redeeming quality was that one nurse said I like your PIN on your purse but the entire staff referred to my purse as my bag. This is not really an LGBTQ+ safe space. read more

Staff is incompetent. Good luck getting a referral or a call back. My messages were never even relayed to the doctor. After weeks of calling I got my referral only by using up the time meant for my physical. It's a shame because Dr. Tu is a good guy but no one is worth being disrespected this way. read more

They really care about your health and well being overall. Really friendly staff, I would like to recommend this place if you're suffering from bronchitis or asthma read more

KEEP ALL RECORDS AND RECIEPTS! THIS FACILITY "SEEMS TO BE" DOUBLE DIPPING! I say that because they refused multiple damands to provide any records of the original 2 payments made when I appeared in person, (One by me, One by my insurance), then I was billed a second time and got fed up with arguing with the doorknob they had planted at the front desk to run interference, and now I have recieved a 4th bill with threats to my credit for non payment of $57.80 They will get the payment and as soon as the courts reopen, they'll get a subpoena with a demand to prove that services were rendered, ( I have never recieved the results) and a record for all payments made and for what. I dont have a life so this will be more fun than a day in traffic court with a corrupt CHP officer who doesnt know I have dash cam footage a 2 witnesses. ( Choke on it Gary Romo ). read more

I was scheduled to see Dr. Tu as a new patient since I am looking for a PCP. My insurance covers preventative visits. I was told over the phone this is fully covered. When I checked in, the person at the front desk said the doctor doesn't do preventative visits on the first meeting and would charge me money to just talk to him this first time. Avoid these scammers! read more

My pulmonary md is Mark Kroe. I have been trying for 2 months to get my prescription for cpap supplies renewed. Lucinda is his assistant. She does not return my calls. So in frustration I made an appointment to see Kroe so I could get the prescription. Then she called me. Said I did not need an appointment and she would send me the prescription. After waiting a week and not getting the prescription I called again and left Lucinda another request for my prescription. No response, no call back. I am going to find a better pulmonology office. read more

Good doctor (Stanley Tu) but support staff and back office very disorganized and not responsive. It took more than three weeks to get a call back after a physical and blood work. And you have to pay for parking. read more

Only the most incompetent people are employed. Dr. Tu is not a very good doctor. His annual exams are incomplete and rushed. Plan to spend hours on hold before your call is answered. read more

Definately would NOT recommend this practice. I was there to see Dr Pratap Saraf (Sleep Disorder). Starting off I couldn't find the place. Once I get there I find out there's a parking fee. When I went to checkin it felt very disorganized. I finally go see the doctor and he spends more time talking about my Primary Care Physician than anything else. We finally talk about my issues and told me I need a CPAP machine. Looks at me and says I'll need a medium size mask. This was apparently wrong. Doesn't he realize it's the size of the nostrils and not the nose size? Over a month later I get a call from their office saying the paperwork was wrong to order my machine. Note, this isn't anything I filled out. This was all on them to deal with. A few weeks later, I get another message saying I can contact the CPAP company to go get scheduled and picked up. I get everything setup and try using the machine. I know there's an adjustment period so I stick with it for a couple nights. Those days/nights were one of my most miserable times of my life. It's a torture device which doesn't let me sleep. I wake up every 2 hours cause the pressure builds up in my head (I sleep with my mouth closed). When I open my mouth to try to get some air, it rushing out of my mouth. The call up Dr Saraf to help adjust the air pressure. Of course no one ever picks up the phone so I leave a message. No response. I also went into the office and left a message with the receptionist and still nothing. I left another message saying there's no point in having my followup appointment since I can't use the machine and to cancel my appoint. No response. I called again to confirm the appointment is cancel and it was apparently still on their books. If you need a sleep doctor I suggest you LOOK ELSEWHERE! I'm going to tell my referral doctor to not send anyone else over. It's makes them look bad too. read more

I should say first off that the staff here are all good at their jobs-- the doctors, nurse practitioners, phlebotomists and the rest of the team are great *when you can see them*. Unfortunately, there is a very severe understaffing problem. You're not likely to be able to see a doctor more than twice a year. This is not to fault the nurse practitioners who are excellent, but when you can't get an appointment with a doctor less than a few months in advance there's a bit of a problem. Another issue is that it is incredibly difficult to communicate with or even get a message to your doctor and/or NP, which I think is due to a chronically understaffed front desk. I had one incident where I had a prescription error preventing me from obtaining a medication, and I ended up leaving (no kidding) ten messages over the course of a month and asking staff to please pass on the issue the one time I was able to get ahold of a person. Nothing ever happened and when my next visit rolled around, the nurse practitioner was surprised to hear there had been a problem and quickly resolved it-- evidently, none of my messages had been passed along to her or the doctor. This happened a second time and I had to act like a bit of a jerk and basically demand the person stay on the line with me until it was resolved rather than leaving a message. I don't feel good about that but I really needed that medication. Having switched to another pulmonologist because of an insurance change, it is really just night and day being somewhere without staffing problems. I can get in when I need to get in and no one is too busy to help me if an issue comes up. I don't think I can recommend Foothill at this time as they just don't have the necessary number of people to handle their workload. read more

The staff was so helpful and kind! They took really good care of my concerns with a warm, friendly attitude! Dr. "P" was kind, caring and attentive! He answered questions and was comforting! read more