This marks my first year under the care of Dr. Kong after I selected him to be my primary physician after my physician was no longer under my insurance plan. It's been convenient not having to come into the City as Dr. Kong is located at the Centre West Medical Building at Alameda South Shore next to the Office Max. Also, ample free parking is right in front of the building. I appreciate that appointments are readily available as I have gotten into this schedule within a week during both of my visits. Dr. Kong is nice and mixes in some humor during the consultation. He is on top of making sure your vaccines are up to date and suggests when to take certain ones due their possible physical reactions. He follows up on necessary tests if I am tardy on it, such as colonoscopies. He referred me to an orthopedic surgeon to check on shoulder if there was an internal issue. Janet and Cheryl at the front desk have been friendly and helpful as well. Glad to have made Dr. Kong my primary doctor and hope to have him caring for me for the coming years. read more

James Kong, MD - Internal Medicine Near Me - Alameda, California

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I've been seen Dr. Kong for over a year now. My experience has been solid. He is a wonderful doctor who helped me with medical care upon relocating to this area, but he also helped me my checklist completed for prior to going into the EMS field. He was super helpful and got me in quick so that I could everything done on time. Dr. Kong and his office have provided exceptional care and support and I am very grateful for that. They have gone above and beyond. Thank you! read more

I have called his office a number of times to set up an appointment and no-one I mean no-one was picking up. I left several messages for him to call me back and no-one called me back. I sent him and his staff an email and no response to the email. This office if it can be called that is running a mickey mouse business and I will definitely take my business elsewhere. Terrible customer service and a ridiculous lack of follow through make for a bad Doctor. read more

Dr Kong has been looking after me for years. He's a great doctor, always on top of the latest in medicine while being very practical in his approach. I really feel like he understands my situation and background and recommends what's actually workable for me, rather than what the laptop says is the standard of care. read more

after reading the reviews regarding the front desk people, i was apprehensive about going there. i had no problem. Dr Kong was cordial, competent and helpful. The front desk was ok. I was waiting to check in behind a lady that was loudly complaining about something (in another language, I don't speak). It was taking a while so another person opened up the other window and checked me in. My only complaint about the office is that the check in and waiting room is in the main lobby of the building. It was hot, a kid was screaming, and the complaining lady was also very loud. I would not want to wait there for 30 minutes required after getting an allergy shot. turns out that will not be necessary. Dr. Kong recommended environmental changes rather than going into the 1 to 2 year shot commitment. I agreed with his assessment I believe he is a really good doctor. read more

Dr James Kong is very kind and caring person . I am so lucky to have him .. even as the Quest diagnostic place said so.:). Whenever I had emergency he was always did his best to be available for me . Thank you Dr read more

Dr. Kong is an excellent physician. I have been a patient of Dr. Kong for over 10 years. Also, he is the physician for my family members. He is responsive and very concerned about patient care and outcomes. read more

Got referred here my a family member. Dr. Kong was very nice, pleasant and has a great sense of humor which made the visit not boring. It was for my son visit. He refused to go to his pediatrician since he is a foot taller than she is:). He said he is ready for his adult doctor. He was making sure my son got all the vaccines needed before he is heading to college. read more

James Kong, MD - Front office. - Internal Medicine Near Me - Alameda, California

I am glad I found Dr Kong. For the last 2 months, I've had a chronic cough. I've been to the Urgent Care 4 times and had everything prescribed to me and nothing helped. On my last visit, last week, I was prescribed Methylprednisone pak. I was not asked about other medications I was taking. After a few days, I experienced debilitating depression. My coughing worsened, so I googled immunologist/allergist, and was able to schedule a consultation with Dr Kong. He explained to me that the Methlprednisone adversely affected me because of the medications I was on. I really appreciated his patience explaining to me my next steps. read more

I don't post this lightly. I've been working with Dr. Kong for a few years and had really appreciated his manner and attentiveness in person - while I was well. But at the first sign of a potential problem, everything fell completely apart. First, the office staff. Others have posted about his office staff and it is still true. I found they were tolerable as long as I was paying my co-pay or scheduling an appointment. Two further comments: 1. Keep in mind THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL DELIVER THE BAD NEWS! Let that sink it - the absolute lack of compassion is pretty jaw-dropping. 2. The absolute lack of organization cannot go unmentioned. They lost track of appointments I made for lab tests and contact information at a critical time when I was traveling abroad and trying to get things set for an operation that I'd been waiting on for 9 months. Unacceptable in a professional environment - instead of firing them, Dr. Kong defended them "because it was a holiday period and a lot of people were calling." Next, Dr. Kong himself. I will start by giving him the benefit of the doubt in that he was likely trying to make the right decision in a recent situation. However, in the process, he forgot to treat me like a human being. He let me believe I was suffering from a condition that killed my sister with nothing to go on but family history and a one time lab result (which turned out to be an anomaly). When I told him that I was totally freaked out by the "diagnosis" - he said I should be. I'm sorry, but who does that until they are certain?? Seriously, that was messed up - particularly given follow up labs results were completely normal. Net, I find the approach to patient care here unacceptable and feel that others should be aware of my experience so they can make an informed decision about their health care providers. read more

Mr.James Kong will let you take unnecessary ultrasound several times. He doesn't really care his patient and without blood test results he makes arbitrary decision. Without lab blood test results trying let patient believe she has a badly condition! Beware! read more

My medical office for over three years, the staff is excellent (Janice & Dorothy). I appreciate Dr. Kong, as he takes the time to learn about his patients. Recently, I had been sick with the flu for a few weeks, finally visited the doctor, and began improving within 24 hours. Thank you all, it's been five day's now since my visit, currently taking my medications & am recovering almost to 100 percent. Nate read more

I'm looking at Babette's review and wondering if we could actually be talking about the same place. I've been going to Dr. Kong (and occasionally his partner Dr. Lam) for over a year. They are both friendly and helpful, and the best part by far is their availability. They are open until 7 PM most days, and given that most of the world works for a living, it's great to have doctors with hours beyond 9-5! And if you need an appointment, they will almost always see you either that day or the next. Contrast that to where I used to go in SF, where my doctor was so UNavailable that I had to go to the walk-in clinic just to be seen while I was still actually sick. Their staff, while not overly friendly, is definitely efficient, and I've never had a problem with them of any kind. Seems to me like they do what they are supposed to do. read more

So, went to Dr. Reid in the city, who also deserves all his 5-star goodness on Yelp, but needed to find somewhere to get allergy shots (In the East Bay) without paying parking and bridge toll a ton of times....and voila! Went to Dr. Kong without any prior info, just b/c he's on the insurance website, and he's the *bomb*, people. Super nice, efficient staff, doesn't keep you waiting, his specialty is Pediatric and Adult Allergy & Immunology, and Internal Medicine. So he knows what the hell's going on. He personally called my insurance to argue billing with them, thereby reducing my cost; AND they're open weekend and evening hours, people!! What more do you want? Oh, and he does Chinese community medical outreach stuff, too. How tight is that? And all of this, right next to Trader Joe's and all the consumerisma that is South Shore center in Alameda.... Mad, mad props all around. read more

I like the fact that this place can get you in for an appointment when you need it, including same day. My husband and another couple on the island have also had this experience. They work evenings and weekends. It's so great! Anyway, I went in with what turned out to be a broken foot. The receptionist was really polite and friendly. She even handed me their card with two hands which I had learned long ago in China as a sign of respect. Dr. Kong was so friendly. He sent me right off to get an xray of my foot which he thought was only sprained cause I was so tough about it (he told me later). When we found out it was broken, he called us back to the office and had prepared a referral for a foot expert and several relevant scripts. He did this even though he had to stay late to meet with us. read more

So I needed a quick tb test for school. Made an appointment for 3:30. Got there at 3:25, and waited in the lobby until 4. Once inside, I sit in the waiting room for another 45 minutes. A little before 5pm the Doctor comes in and I ask for a tb test. He leaves and doesn't return for another 15 minutes. Gives me my shot and I'm frustratedly running out the door by 5:15. Three weeks later, I receive a bill for a total of three services, two of which were not performed. The tb test alone was only approximately 20 dollars. However the bill was close to 300. Don't ever come here unless you like staring at the wall of a waiting room and paying for services you never received. Forgot to mention the entire clinic was completely empty (guess it was a bad sign from the start) and somehow I still waited 90 mins for a 30 second procedure. read more

I've been with Kong for a while now and he's a great doctor! He's friendly, knowledgable, and will go the distance for his patients. My only complaint? The office staff!! They're not the friendliest bunch, but honestly that doesn't bother me much. What bothers me is they don't communicate very well. There's been too many times where they should've told me valuable information (like test results) and I never got anything. Or recently I had to keep bugging them about sending papers over to a specialist. My job is not to bug you. I went to the office recently because I never heard from them or the specialist and they assured me everything was sent. I called the specialist, ends up they can't take me as a patient and told the office that. I'm getting really fed up with them. It's a shame a good doctor like Kong has staff like that. read more

The visit started okay until I asked to have an allergy test done. I came to see this office as I was advised by an ER doctor to see an allergist due to an allergic reaction I had to the 1st COVID vaccine. James Kong suggested to go to a place where they're able to administer the 2nd vaccine in 3 parts. Okay. I asked for an allergy test including food. James Kong stated that I didn't need it; the allergy test wouldn't really determine at which form of the food I tend to have an allergic reaction to; that it is not the food, but the way it is served/cooked. I proceeded by saying that my friend had a food allergy test and identified which food those are. After my friend avoided those food she's allergic to, she lost a lot of weight. So I would like to identify those food in order to avoid them. James Kong stated that, "You haven't listened to anything I said earlier." Just avoid those food. How am I going to avoid those foods if I don't know I'm allergic to them outside of the ones I already know to avoid? He finally agreed to order a test for me, but not without letting his frustrations show. So I said, never mind. Thank you for your time and I left. 30 minutes or so after I left, I received a call from his office stating that they ordered an allergy blood test after all. I have not called them back. I am going to see another allergist. It was a wasted visit and a wasted co-pay of $60. The interaction with James Kong was very disappointing. I felt like my concerns were not valid and somehow I felt stupid from not understanding his explanations of how allergies work. I do not recommend this doctor. read more

I found Dr Kong as I had a severe allergic reaction to SOMETHING a couple of months ago and was able to see me quickly and after normal doctors hours. he helped me uderstand what was happening with my body even though the cause could not be determined and was unafraid of ordering all sorts of tests as well as getting me the scripts that I needed. Still need to get a scratch test done, but prepared me that there was not going to be a quick fix as it can't be determined what the casue was they even sent me a check for a copay that I apparantly didn't need to pay after several visits. how often do doctors give you money back???? read more

A little more than a year ago I had a headache and stomach pains. Both felt throbbing and not stabbing so I didn't see a doctor for two days. I figured I had the flu. When I did go to James, he pressed down on my abdominal area and figured out I had appendicitis. A quick MRI at another hospital confirmed it and I had an operation. Fast forward to today and I have a bacteria infection. White spots in the back of my throat. I went to the nearest hospital and they thought it was cancer and ordered a bunch of unneeded tests with no antibiotics. When I got phenomena, I went straight to James. He looked at the back of my throat, did some flash light tests for my eyes, looked in my ears, checked for abnormal bumps in my abdominal area and I think he even smelled my breath and figured out where the infections were. He ordered meds specific to where the infections were. Lungs, eye and throat. He even gave me a coupon for one of the meds he prescribed. I can't speak about other experiences but he was always well rested (not sleepy) and solved my problems 3 out of 3 times. (confirmed right twice with expensive equipment, once with an MRI and another with a bacteria culture test ordered by a doctor I saw before him). He is too the point (fast in figuring out the diagnoses), cost effective (no machines, just his senses) but best of all he makes the right diagnosis. Kind of like an episode of house mixed with macgyver but only 15 mins long. It was a 40 dollar co pay and the meds were 45 bucks with the coupon with really crappy individually bought insurance (at walgreens) for my lung infection. read more

3/20/2013 6:15pm I noticed that all the negative reviews were from years ago and maybe Dr. Kong was reading them! I had a great experience with the front desk and with Dr. Kong. I called and was easily able to make an appointment! Actually getting a person on the phone without being put on hold or going to an answering service. Front desk person (short+Asian) was very helpful and informative with all my questions. Dr. Kong is a fairly younger doctor compared to the white-haired and wrinkled ones that I've had before He actually had a personality!!! He was attentive to all the issues I had, and resolved every issue and if he didn't he gave me advice and pointed me to the right direction. I DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND, Because now everyone will want to go to him causing me not to make an appointment as easily! HAha. read more

Made an appointment because my allergies were a mess. To the point where I was losing my voice. Dr. Kong was nice, but of course, the solution was to hand me more prescriptions. Two stars because I asked about an allergy test, but was only willing to do it if it was no more than X amount. He said sure, he'll charge no more than X. Imagine my surprise when I got the bill and was charged a few hundred MORE than what was agreed upon. Bait and Switch at it's finest. If it costs more than X, just say it and let the patient decide if it is worth the cost. The test was NOT worth the cost. I paid hundreds of dollars to learn that I am allergic to cats. An hour at my friend's house already told me that. So I get the bill in the mail but it only gives the option to pay by check. I wanted to pay with a credit card so I was told I needed to go in person. Called to ask if they were open on Saturday, receptionist said yes. Go in on Saturday and the office was closed. Left work early on a Wednesday and arrived at the doctor's at 4:30. Closed again! Had to take a day off work just to pay my bill. What a crappy experience. read more

Love going here! I feel like Dr. Kong actually listens to you as a provider. He is not dismissive and answers your questions/concerns. It's super quick and easy to set up an appointment. As a nursing student, I need to stay on my toes with health requirements and he is my go-to! read more

I origannly choose Dr. Kong because of his last name. At the time my dentist was Dr. Fong, my eye Dr. Wong and my hair stylist a mr. Long. It seemed fitting. Dr. Kong is a very impressive doctor. I have never felt more informed and at peace with a doctor in my life. He takes the time to explain every situation in detail and answer all my questions thoroughly. He is also personable and friendly. When I had an emergency, he took extra time to fit me in his schedule. You can't go wrong with Dr. Kong. No rhyme was intended. read more

I have to agree with Babbette and Sharon's reviews. I have no doubt that Dr. Kong is a competent physician. But his customer service leaves much to be desired. From my first contact I heard little more than how I would pay. I have insurance and this doctor is in my network. I gave the office my insurance ID and then when I came to the office with a raging bronchitis I was told that I would have to put down a $160 deposit since my policy has a deductible. I told them that I couldn't do that. So the office person asked me if I wanted to reschedule. I told her that I was seriously ill and had to see the doctor. They agreed to "waive" this "office policy" and I went in to see the doctor. And, guess what, he reiterated the "office policy" before proceeding with the exam. I left with a prescription and a bad taste in my mouth (metaphorically). I understand the need to get paid but when money takes the foreground above all else I have serious ethical questions. I felt insulted and I will report this to my insurance company. One of the reasons I chose an "in network" doctor is so I wouldn't have to pay up front. I will not be returning here and I will not recommend this doctor to anyone. read more

I'm waiting for doctor kong right now but I have to remark about the two women at the front desk. They were offensively rude! One of them had highlights in her hair and the other had brown hair. When they asked me for a $160 deposit and I had questions about billing the only answer I got was "we don't know cuz we don't do billing." seriously? You seemed pretty comfortable taking my money but you cant tell me how much my visit was actually going to cost or if the $160 would go towards an allergy test. Seems like a shakedown and I feel very uncomfortable which is a bad way to feel at the doctor. If I worked at a desk and collected money from people I would be motivated to learn what the money is for. What rude women. Now im actually in with the doctor. I was hoping to gain some insight but am not. He is supposed to be an allergy doctor but is advising me against food allergy testing. Ugh. What a waste of time and money this has been. I'm leaving without any answers and owe an undisclosed amount of money. Great. read more

Surprisingly flexible hours/availability, parking is a breeze, the office itself is new, and the doctors aren't terrible; I've been for a couple of basic things over the last year or so and they were okay. But recently they refused to answer a simple follow-up question I had about a prescription unless I paid my co-pay for a full office visit, which was absurd. Needless to say, they will never see another co-pay from me again. read more

DO NOT GO HERE! I was refused service here for no legitimate reason, other than my appointment was at 5pm and the ladies in the office wanted to go home instead of help some one see the doctor. All the woman working the front desk were cold unresponsive bitches, who went very far out of there way to make sure I didn't get to see the doctor before they hurried up and went home for the day. READ ON FOR DETAILS: I walked in and they told me I had no appointment in the calendar, even though I remembered exactly who I spoke with 2 days previous when making my appointment. They final said the can squeeze me in. First off there was a discrepancy on my insurance card group number being different than in the doctors database. They denied me and tried to send me home immediately! They would not call the providers # for the insurance so I sat in the waiting room going through the customer service line with my insurance company. Once it was confirmed by the insurance company the woman refused to speak with them , I think because she didn't speak English well enough to converse. Then she refused to believe my insurance company and turned me away again. I got the insurance company to change the database to reflect the change and went back in and that STILL WASN'T good enough for this woman. She then refused me because she said she needed a faxed confirmation from the insurance. I got the insurance to fax it urgently to the office and magically they never received it! I have no idea why everyone in this office was so easy to dismiss a patient in need and be so COLD and unhelpful. By 5:30pm on third call to the insurance company, she refused to process my paperwork at all and the insurance company couldn't believe that they wouldn't let me go to my appointment after all this and advised I reschedule or find a different doctor. All the woman working the front desk were cold unresponsive bitches, who went very far out of there way to make sure I didn't get to see the doctor before they hurried up and went home. AWFUL AWFUL SERVICE. Doctor Kong passed through the front office various times overhearing the debacle and could care less his staff was turning away legitimate appointments. Now its back to the drawing board to find a doctors office that will actually help not hinder the problem. read more

Dr. Kong has been a very good, and detailed doctor with me. I am a very picky person and like to complain alot and luckily he's very patient with me. I love how he cares for his patient! i give it two thumbs up and def would refer him to everyone! read more

Never come here! The girl at the front desk is one of thee rudest individuals I have ever encountered. We had to leave and go to the ER room because I couldnt stand how she was treating me and my poor husband. Second time here and both times got the same horrible rude service. If you hate your job so much QUIT!!! So angry after leaving here! Never again!!! read more

Today was my first visit to the office. I came because I occasionally get hives and didn't know what it was from. The front desk lady was nice. The check-in process was quick and I didn't have to wait long. Dr. Kong went over what could be the cause of my hives and luckily it was something I could control by starting small first like taking OTC medications. He answered a lot of my other clinical questions non-relating to my hives also. I am glad my coworker referred me to him. I left with a prescription but after arriving home I got a phone call from the office asking which pharmacy I go to so that Dr.Kong could just call in the prescription for me even though I didn't ask for that. Definitely made it much easier for me! I would def make him my primary allergist! read more

Dr. Kong is a very smart and thinks "Out of the box!" His staff is very helpful. It is wonderful to be able to reach a doctor 7 days a week as his partner works on the weekends. I am so glad that Dr. Kong is my primary physician. Jenena Hansson read more

I have been going to Dr. Kong for about one and half years. He was recommended by someone I know. A few months ago I took a blood test, which came back with a triglyceride level of almost 400 (normal range is under 200). He never called me until I called his office and asked if I should see him. Another time I called to setup an appointment because I had some type of allergic reaction. I told the receptionist that I had couple of minor asthma attacks in the last month. I came to the office about 5 minutes before the appointment at 4:00 pm. At 4:15 he took in 4 firemen for physical exams in my appointment slot. I waited for an hour. At 5 o'clock he came in and said:"I have to go. I have an emergency. You will have to reschedule or see my associate" (whom I have repeatedly requested not to see). I believe he knew he was not going to see me that day after he decided to take care of the 4 physical exams. But he waited until 5 o'clock to tell me. I think he is arrogant and he never apologized. I believe that he probably had some sort of social engagement. In my opinion he showed his true colors when I really needed his help. Perhaps the reason was that he could have made more money servicing 4 physical checkups rather than one regular appointment with me instead. In the end I think this doctor is only here to make money. He does not care for his patients. Lately I do not see many patients in his office during the times I have visited his office. I am beginning to wonder if other patients have left him for the same reason. read more

I'm fortunate to have had my primary care from Dr. Kong. From his demeanor, to his explanations with drawings, and never hesitating to go the extra mile you can tell Dr. Kong is passionate about his patient's health. I've since moved to Sacramento and subjected to corp own and run primary care clinics- I used to have it pretty good. read more

Dr Kong has helped me again! Great doctor!

Very happy with Dr Kahn. I recently switched to his care and am quite pleased. Very knowledgeable and little waiting, he sees me within 5 minutes of our scheduled time. read more

Dr. Kong is awesome! He's friendly, honest, knowledgeable, & takes his time with his patients. Thanks dr. Kong!

Worst experience ever! The front desk person claimed I had no insurance coverage even when I show her proof of insurance and had my referral and authorization number on hand. She refuse to call the insurance. Called the insurance company and change the provider right away. It's inaceptable to treat a patient that way. read more

Don't go here if you have conditions besides minor illnesses like ear infections or strep throat. Dr. Kong is very green and does not know much about chronic conditions. His office jumps on you before you even get through the door begging for your copayment. The other really bad thing about this office is they are technologically challenged and can't figure out how to call prescriptions in to Walgreens. They claim Walgreens does not know what they are doing, but I tend to disagree. I have been very unsatisfied with Dr. James Kong and he should only be a place to go if you want to avoid the Emergency Room (which you may end up in anyways). read more

Dr. Kong is great - thorough with examination, and has a personable manner. He has helped us with several issues, including allergies, and his follow-up is excellent. My husband and I have been happy with his care and will continue to use his practice. However, his office staff are not great. Just be aware that they have not been to charm school. Standard greeting is "Do you have co-pay?" Just come prepared with your insurance card and money (the office takes VISA), and do not expect to be welcomed. My husband joked that if he had an arrow stuck through his temple they would still ask "Do you have co-pay?" The women who work this counter seem to also be the ones who take the BP and weight, and I have had to tell them to take my temp because they try to get around it and just ask "Do you have a temperature?" (This has happened three times.) So make them be thorough. read more