This review is based only on the office itself, the receptionist, and the general practice, not Dr. Rosenberg's personality or medical efficacy as a gastroenterologist. I was very much looking forward to having Dr. Rosenberg as my new gastroenterologist after moving from Chicago to Pasadena. However, the process of trying to get a new patient appointment with him was a nightmare. I called on a Thursday, left a message with the office voicemail (as no one would answer even though it was 10:00am), and then I never heard back. After a week, I called again - same thing. I left another message, again stating my name and phone number and that I was looking for a new patient appt with Dr. Rosenberg and hadn't hear back in a week since my first call.
I received a voicemail that night, which I responded to the following morning - same thing!!! I left another message, and this time I thankfully got a call back within the next 20 minutes. I spoke with the receptionist, who was at first very nice, though she did not apologize for the 1+ weeks of waiting. She got all my information, emergency contact, etc. Then at the very end of the conversation, after wasting a good 15 minutes of my time, she asked me what kind of Anthem BlueCross insurance I have. I responded that I have a PPO, and she asked if the plan had been purchased through the Covered California marketplace. I said yes, and she responded with "Ohhh, we don't take any of THOSE policies." I clarified several times: "You mean even if it is a regular PPO that already existed before 2014?" She simply stated "Yes, we don't accept any plans purchased through Covered California. Especially if your insurance card has the Covered California logo on it, we don't accept it."
WTF?? Seriously?? Does their office have a problem with the new insurance exchange system in general? My PPO is the exact same as PPO plans that Anthem has been offering for years, but now suddenly that I purchased it through Covered CA, I'm no longer good enough to be their patient?? And why does their office not think that this is just maybe important enough to 1. State this policy on their website, and 2. Tell new patients this UP FRONT at the beginning of the phone conversation when scheduling a new appointment??? Ridiculous! All of this left a really bad taste in my mouth and made me really angry with the whole process. I'm sorry, Dr. Rosenberg, I'm sure that you personally are a really good doctor, but you need to seriously address this issue with your overall office and practicing partners. When several MILLION people are now getting PAID individual insurance policies through Covered CA (not talking MediCal, but everyday people like me - entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, etc), this is a big issue. And I feel like fellow Yelpers should know this in advance and not have to waste their time as I did. read more