Went in to have my nerves on both sides of my neck ablated with radio waves. The process itself is painful as they insert 4 electrodes about the size of a pen refill deep in your neck along both sides of your spine. Then he shoots radio waves to kill the nerves. One of the electrodes, during one of the sessions, failed, but he kept shooting electricity to it to try and get it to work. All the while the faulty electrode was causing intense pain. He finally got angry, pulled the electrode out hastily and jammed another one in and completed the therapy (torture). After the "therapy", I was light headed so a nurse helped me to lay down. While I was resting, he walked by and said what's wrong with you? I said I was light headed. To which he replied, "You big baby!" Really professional. This guy is a q and likes to make your legs flinch or twitch like a frog, by flicking the electrodes for the enjoyment of the people in the room. Oh, and to top it off, I have permanent nerve damage. But not where I needed it as the therapy didn't work at all. No pain was ever relieved. I have permanent nerve damage throughout all the skin in my neck and upper back. read more

I have endured most of my life as a chronic pain patient along with battling several other ailments. Having said that, I have seen and met many doctors over the years, most were just working for the insurance companies, making poor decisions, all for the sole purpose to save money. As a result, I suffered for those poor decisions. Most doctors through my experience are very short tempered, uncaring, and abrasive. Dr. James Barnett is NOT one of those doctors. He is a truly gifted man with a genuine heart. He is a doctor that wants to HELP his patients, and through his expertise and vast knowledge he IS the one doctor I would highly recommend to any patient seeking help/relief from pain. I have had the pleasure of having Dr. Barnett as my specialist since the year 2000. He's helped me tremendously through the 14+ years of my life-long struggle with leg and back pain. As my particular case itself is more complicated than most, he took the challenge and has been by my side since. He's become part of my family, and I'm thankful everyday that I found this awesome man to be my doctor. His passion for life and to truly help others is what separates him from the cookie-cutter pack of doctors out there. read more

I went to Dr. Barnett for pain in my back/buttocks region. After a thorough exam and discussion asking me numerous questions about my pain, he diagnosed my sacroiliac joint issues. I left with a wealth of knowledge about this condition, because Dr. Barnett took the time to sit and talk with me. He performed a sacroiliac joint injection at Valley Surgery Center, Modesto, which was quite painless and with stretching exercises that Dr. Barnett suggested I do, I have not had this pain return. When my young adult daughter developed the same issues as I had, I didn't hesitate at all having Dr. Barnett do a sacroiliac joint injection on her. I would most definitely recommend Dr. Barnett. read more

I can not say enough nice things about Dr.Barnett! My husband and I were both super impressed with his bedside manner as well as his wealth of knowledge. I was referred here for neck and shoulder pain....it took about 6 weeks to get an appointment since Dr.Barnett is only at this location twice a week but he was worth the wait. He went over my MRI results in depth, explaining everything so we could understand. He answered all of our questions and didn't act like he was on a time constraint, he was very smart and personable and funny too!! He gave me an injection in my shoulder, choosing to go with the easiest solution first to see if it would work. At the same time, he scheduled me to come back for a different procedure in 2 weeks just in case. It seems I will need to return, but I have confidence in Dr.Barnett. I want to add the office staff was very nice and professional as well. From the first contact phone call to my first appointment in the office, everything was smooth sailing. Five stars for this Doctor and his staff! Keep up the great work!!!! read more

I went to my appointment this morning only to learn that Dr. Barnett was not contracted with my insurance. Now that I am age 62 and have Blue Shield (Covered California) which is what is available to me I was told I would have to have $150.00 upfront to get in to see the Doctor. I did not have the money with me so I asked the young man at the desk would I loose my appointment if I ran to the bank to get the money. He said he couldn't guarantee it and didn't over any other solution. I have been a patient of Dr. Barnett's for over 10 years. I was treated like a second class citizen. The young man slammed the window as I left the office. Dr. Barnett, you have helped me tremendously through the years. Unfortunately, I will not return to your office due to the way I was treated. Your employees need a lesson on human kindness. I still struggle with my pain issues but will have to go about finding someone else to help me. I know that I am not the only patient of yours that feels this way. read more

I went to Dr Barnett for about 1 year back in 2015, after having neck surgery and still in a great deal of pain , i received steroid injections which did help but was very short term, I was supposed to get a nerve ablation but I chickened out so I need to go back and get started on other areas like lower back and mid thoracic region...He is a very good Dr that really cares for his patients and he will walk you through every detail of his treatment for you read more

The office manager and nurses are EXTREMELY rude. They treat their patients like garbage. My mother, who is a senior citizen, was directly insulted by the office manager. They do not give messages from patients to the doctor unless they feel like it. Absolutely AWFUL PLACE DO NOT COME HERE. Would give zero stars if I could. Dr. Barnett was nice but his staff have caused my mother to cease being a patient here. Their treatment of her was unbelievably unprofessional. read more

Well I just found out, I can no longer be seen here! I was told I would not be seen due to unpaid collections. Which confused me, because I have only seen dr Barnett once in April 2014. I have insurance, I know I paid 25$ for my visit, so what to I owe for? So I asked the snotty Office assistant, how much do I owe you. She said 5$, and it's been sent to a collection agency. WOW I legitimately start laughing my butt off. So needless to say, from what I remember Dr. Barnett him self seem ok as a doctor.l, I did like he didn't want to load me up on pain killers. But his policy's and staff are unrealistic and unprofessional. I lost they won, I still need a epidural in my lower back. $5 haha read more

Dr. Barnett needs to fire his staff and start over. He employs the laziest group of people I have ever had the misfortune of coming in contact with. First, his staff couldn't be bothered to take a phone message. I guess if the woman setting the appointments is not in the office when you call, then no one else has the ability to pull the trigger on that appointment. I was actually asked to call back a different day, they wouldn't even take a message. On the day of my appointment, I arrived at his office and was greeted by a mountain of paperwork to complete. (Not the regular insurance stuff you usually see). This was practically a novel they wanted me to fill out. I guess they wanted to keep the actual patient/doctor communication to a minimum. God forbid the doctor inquire about your condition. His staff want you to complete a 40 page report for him. Midway through that process the receptionist yells across the room that the doctor had to leave for the hospital and she'd have to reschedule me. As if his time is the ONLY important time. As if I didn't take off from work, fight traffic for an hour and waste time with his paperwork. So I gave them back their clipboard, the manuscript they wanted me to complete and walked out before they could ask me do the data entry into their computer system for them as well. I promptly called my referring doctor and asked to be sent to a real medical office. read more

Caring, knowledgeable, friendly, funny, takes lots of time to answer questions. BEST doc I've ever had!

This office is slow at getting anything done. When you decide you've had enough and complain they drop you as a patient. Cowards can't even call you, they send a letter. Don't waste your time with this doctor. You'd be dead by the time they get around to fixing you read more

I wish there were TWO options here; one for the doctor and one for the STAFF! Dr. Barnett is wonderful, he gets a 5++! The office staff is another story. I've been dealing with them for a month, then I find out the office manager Julie has contacted the surgery center that he will no longer accept me as a patient, after over 7 years! Here's what happened; I had a billing from October 2017. I didn't jump on it right away, so it didn't initially get paid. I got no further billing statements from them until January 2018 when I got a collection notice. I immediately called and took care of it. I received a new collection notice in September 2018 for $92.71, and 2 more in October for $152.60 and $76.20. I, never saw a billing statement for these. After I researched it, it was discovered it was a combination of two months, one from May for $16.05 and 2 for July for $152.60. Furthermore, they sent DUPLICATE bills adding them up differently to the collection company for a total owed of $305.20. I owed a total of $168.65 ($16.05 + $152.60) not $305.20, which I paid in full as soon as I was aware on 9/17!! and they turned me over to collections less than a month after the insurance company paid the bill and they decided not to send me a statement for these since I didn't pay the $16.05 I owed from May, again, no statement received. She argued that they send 3 statements and even stamp it, which I never received. They do not call the client, and rely only on the mailed billings. I spoke directly to Dr. Barnett and was told they are supposed to call the client. I found out that Julie must be lazy and just relies on the collection agency to do her job for her. She told me that "it seems to make people call and pay when they get a collection statement". She then shamed me for not paying my bills, then got angry because I asked for copies of everything for the past year so I can go talk to Dr. B again. She did admit that I didn't get any billing statements for July because I had an outstanding balance of $16.05 that I didn't pay and sent it directly to collection instead. Dr Barnett was not aware of this until I spoke to him IN PERSON on October 16 where he told me he has a strict rule for his staff to call a client before sending to collection. I hope he follows through with his promise to me. I now see I'm not the only patient complaining about their staff. read more

Dr. Barnett is a great doc who cares for his patients.

The problem is not the physician, but instead his office staff. My husband was seen there months ago and we never heard anything back from them regarding an injection he was supposed to get. Well I go ahead and call and the lady tells me they do not have a copy of his insurance card. I proceed to email it to her like requested. 30 days later I realize again we've heard nothing. So today I call (3rd call), another lady I spoke with says the insurance card is not in the file and the billing person I emailed it to is in a procedure, mind you this is my 3rd time trying to get in touch with her. She also explains to me that they don't see patients without an insurance card. Which again, I said then how in the world did you see my husband. She then lost it, started yelling, speaking over me and told me I had to bring the card by the office. Honestly, the rudest office staff I have no idea how Dr Barnett keeps his patients. He definitely needs to go back to the drawing board regarding his staff. read more