If you are not wealthy or if you do not have the best medical insurance money can buy, I would recommend NOT going to Tower Orthopaedics and specifically Dr. Rajan Patel. If you want to avoid unethical staff members who are trying to rip you off, I would recommend NOT going to Tower Orthopaedics and specifically Dr. Rajan Patel. I made an appointment with Dr. Patel's office in January, at least two weeks before my appointment, at which time I asked what my out of pocket cost would be because I was with a new health insurance plan and I wasn't sure. The receptionist assured me that his assistant would get back to me with that information before my appointment. A week before my appointment, I still hadn't heard from the assistant so I called again and left a voice message stating that I was on limited income and really needed to know what my out of pocket costs would be in order to determine whether I should consult another Orthopedic specialist. On the day of my appointment, I still had not heard back. I decided to go, because I did not have the time to change my appointment given I was very busy with giving care to my sick mother who has multiple diseases. When I arrived, Dr. Patel's assistant still did not have the information I had requested repeatedly prior to my arrival. After waiting for about 20 minutes, the assistant had the receptionist tell me what my out of pocket cost would be - between $84-$100. That was within my budget. When I asked how much an x-ray would cost, if Dr. Patel should want to take one, the receptionist said they did not have that information nor could they obtain that information. I replied that I didn't understand why they couldn't because I had just been to the dentists and they were able to provide me with a cost breakdown of each and every item, including x-rays, for my visit. I responded then that I would just have to decline an x-ray if Dr. Patel recommended. The receptionists then proceeded to try to pressure me to concede to an x-ray. I repeatedly told her no. I should have walked away at that time, that's on me that I didn't, but I stayed. The receptionist said she would find out the cost. After 10 more minutes, she returned stating, she could not find out the cost. And I said I would refuse. When I finally saw Dr. Patel, he was agitated and curt, and took the very first minutes to complain about what an annoyance Tower Orthopedics' computer malfunction that morning had been for him. Then made an insensitive remark about being neglectful of my own care. When I called him on that remark, he dismissed it just as a joke. Then, after 10 minutes I heard his iPhone alarm blaring through his jacket pocket, which he did not acknowledge at all. It all happened so quickly, I barely had a chance to get my bearings, but I did realize something was very very awry with this visit. When I went to pay, the receptionist said I owed $169. I was outraged. Clearly this is not a medical office, this is some kind of used car dealership disguised as a healthcare service. Afterwards, I did my due diligence and called 5 other Orthopedic doctors' offices and IMMEDIATELY was quoted an estimate for my out of pocket costs as well as any x-rays that might be recommended. I consider my experience with Dr. Patel's office, both him and his entire staff, tantamount to egregious misconduct. I have lodged a formal complaint with Tower Orthopaedics' "Practice Manager," Nikki Pontrelli and if I don't hear an adequate response from them, I will take it to the California Medical Board. If you respect yourself and you received treatment as if you were a second-class citizen from Dr. Patel and/or his staff, I advise you to do the same. Thank you and good luck. read more