Dr. Ron was amazing, he explained everything to me regarding my scheduled colonoscopy procedure. I felt reassured knowing my azz was in seasoned hands. : ) read more

This review is offered as a warning to others that, based on my experience, expect many hassles with incorrect codings for insurance and inaccurate billing. Background: My primary referred me at 58 years old for my first colonoscopy as standard preventative care. I have no history of cancer, polyps or anything of the sort and am in excellent health so the procedure is 100% covered. Dr Chitayat is in network for my insurance and it was my first visit to his office. The visit was mandatory to draw blood and consult prior to a colonoscopy (in other words, you can't just schedule a colonoscopy. You must visit the doctor first). The office visit was routine, all was fine and the colonoscopy scheduled with the nearby surgery center. ALL of this is 100% covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield if everything is in network as it was. A week prior to the surgery, the center called to say I would owe $900 when I arrived. I said that was incorrect and explained it was my first colonoscopy and everyone was in network. The surgery center said that Dr Chitayat's office coded it as a colonoscopy based on "previous polyp history" and therefore it was not 100% covered as preventative care. After my explanation that I had never ever had a colonoscopy or previous polyp history, the surgery center had to call Dr Chitayat's office and have them resubmit the proper code for insurance. Dr Chitayat's office corrected it and I was not forced to erroneously pay $900 on day of surgery. To maker matters worse, Dr Chitayat's office INCORRECTLY coded the pre-surgery mandated office visit when submitting the claim to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, thus I received a bill for the office consultation as well. Again, this was WRONG because the visit was 100% covered (corroborated by Blue Cross multiple times) since it was my first colonoscopy and the Dr was in network. Since the Dr's office sent a particular code (the WRONG one), I was being told by Dr Chitayat's office that I was on the hook for the difference. My wife and I attempted to contact the office billing person for WEEKS and left multiple messages requesting a return call. They do not return phone calls at all. We finally went into the Dr's office and spoke directly with the office manager and explained that their billing person would not return messages and we were not going to pay a bill that was incorrectly submitted by them. The office manager referenced the billing person "being young and new" which, quite frankly, is irrelevant and reflective of a poorly managed practice. The office clearly has issues with their billing and in filing accurate claims. Our insurance has been quite helpful but said they can not change a submitted code and the Dr's office must do so and resubmit the corrected claim. Despite Dr Chitayat seeming to be a fine doctor (there were no issues with the actual procedure), I strongly recommend avoiding this practice unless you want never handling hassles due to their subpar billing procedures. read more

Responding staff, please don't tell me you're truly sorry about my bad experience when clearly Dr Ron DOES NOT CARE IN THE LEAST. He finds it amusing instead. He apparently found my review that I had written last year to be funny. He posted it on Yelp! Check the photo I posted from Yelp. Instead of reaching out to me to right a wrong, or help me, he has one of his staff write a trite rebuttal and then he himself tagged my review as funny recently. How do you call that compassionate? Or caring? He himself has publicly proven on Yelp that he does not genuinely care about his patients. What ever happened to the hypocratic oath, first do no harm? Mocking your patients, and refusing to help them because your ego is too much in the way, is not what makes a physician. Shameful. Respond to that, staff. read more

Ron Chitayat, MD - Gastroenterologist Near Me - West Hills, California

Worst office staff!! Waste your time gathering information before appointment, will call you to ask you to rearrange their day to accommodate their schedule and then when you finally drive in for appointment they will tell you they don't take your insurance....Oh and they already have insurance information when they make you complete all the forms....thanks for wasting my time Dr Chitayat. Guess you're important than us peasants. read more

Excellence pure excellence! As known I am a physician referral source/patient advocate with over 40 years experience in physician credentialing, utilization review and quality management. Gastroenterology along with so many other specialties is getting harder and harder to find. I wanted to see for my self first hand by going in for colonoscopy and endoscopy before he received my rating as I know many of you count in my opinion. This being said, my husband is scheduled for June along with other family, friends, physician's and patients as a direct referral from me. He is kind, knowledgeable, professional, thorough and then some. His staff is outstanding and the facility he uses Encino Specialty Surgical Center was superb. I highly recommend Dr Chitayat for all Gastro work up and procedures. read more

Dr Chitayat has taken the best care of me since day one so many years ago...He has monitored my condition closely and had recommended only the best for me ....I trust him and his referral to a great surgeon!! His front offie is always helpful and very ready to answer any questions I may have ...even if I've already asked it before !!! Thanks to Dr Chitayat I can avoid problems in the future. read more

Dr Chitayat is a caring and thorough doctor. I felt at ease when he entered the room because he was able to explain the way our stomach organs work and what might be some of my concerns and reason for the visit. His front desk staff also helped me with the follow up steps by providing instructions, directions, and phone numbers to call. I was grateful that I chose this office because my circumstance is a bit tricky and they made me more at ease and provided as much information to help me understand. read more

I went in today, but I met with Dr. Calin Arimie, M.D. I felt at first like he was very serious as I babbled about all that's wrong, but as time went on I felt like he was engaged in what I was saying and he was actually listening and providing me with some informative solutions to some of my issues. All and all I felt comfortable and not rushed not for one minute! I see plenty of doctors and well this one seems like he cares!! Imagine that!?? I look forward to my procedure and diagnosis for a better year in health!!! read more

Wonderful doctor. Pleasant demeanor. Very efficient staff. Would recommend him to family and friends.

Dr. Chitayat was not only was able to diagnose my lung real problem correctly but je give me a great recommendation to a doctor in Cedars Sina Hospital that operated on my diaphragm. Problem was solved after 5 years of going from one doctor to another. Great doctor. Have great paitiant manors and his office staff are great as well. read more

Dr. Chitchat is a great doctor and I would recommend him to anyone. The reason for the 2 star rating is his staff. I have been trying to get a copy of my medical records for weeks now and they rarely answer the phone. You leave a voicemail and no one calls you back. When their receptionist Susie does answer the phone she is extremely rude and terrible to work with. I'm glad we don't live in California anymore because that alone would make me seek out a new doctor. read more

Ever had a doctor just shrug his shoulders? Not recommend another course of action, or another specialist, or even another test, just shrug his shoulders and give up? And if you mention any possibility even slightly outside of his specialty, he looks at you like you are speaking another language. Welcome to Dr Ron Chitayat. My wife has something seriously wrong, can't eat, losing 1/2 or more pounds per day... he ran a few tests, did a colonoscopy and an endoscopy... then just gave up. Didn't seem to care that the problem still existed -- oh but wanted to see her back in a year for something totally unrelated. He would focus on one symptom, often not even something we had mentioned, and seemingly ignore everything else. Additionally, when I was present during an exam, he directed every question and statement towards me, not my wife, the patient, sitting right next to me. Not sure if he is just intimidated by men or just rude. In my opinion, if you value your health, unless it is something easy like a ployp, or simple constipation, well within his specialty, stay away. read more

Excellent doctor, listens to all your needs. Very throughl and understanding. Very experienced and knowledgeable. I would recommend him to everyone. My father and my grandfather , three generations have seen doctor Chitayat. I have seen him over 3 years now. My family has seen Dr. Chitayat for over 20 years. 10 out of 10 is mon y rating. Kiyan read more

My mom had a colonoscopy with Dr. Chitayat and is extremely pleased with her experience there. Dr. Chitayat has the most incredible bedside manor and she is very very happy that she was referred to him. He made her feel very comfortable throughout the whole process (not something easy to do when you are getting a colonoscopy!!). The staff overall is exceptional, from the minute you walk into the office you are attended to right away. Dr. Chitayat has expertise in his field and I would highly recommend him for anyone who is looking for a wonderful gastrointerologist. read more

i have seen Dr Chitayat several times and every time my experience has been great. He actually takes the time to sit one on one and explain every thing to o me. A little over 5 years I was burned badly in a fire and i recently found out recently that Dr Chitayat was the one who put my feeding tube in. About a year ago he found a cancerous polyp on my colon, which has since been removed. I highly recommend him. read more

I was referred to Dr. Chitayat from a family member, who had told me she didn't like the office staff but did like Dr. Chitayat. After one appointment that is my same opinion. I had a severe abdominal pain episode that sent me to Urgent Care on a Saturday. I called Dr. Chitayat's office that Monday, explained my situation, and requested an appointment to see him right away. The first date of availability the office staff gave me was three weeks out. Now I explained I ended up in urgent care, so you would think they would try to get me in right away. After several attempts to get in sooner, they were able to "squeeze" me in that Friday. When I went in for my appointment Dr. Chitayat asked why I didn't get an appointment sooner and I told him his staff told me nothing was available. After the examination I made an immediate appointment, per his request, to get an ultrasound, which was done a couple hours later at the lab next door. The ultrasound tech said she was sending my results to Dr. Chitayat that day so they should call me right away. Hearing nothing back that day, I called the office on Monday and requested my results, I was told they didn't have them and to call back on Tuesday. I phoned again Tuesday and was told that Dr. Chitayat wasn't in the office that week and I'd have to wait for his return to get my results. What?!!? No one said a word to me Friday during my appointment or Monday when I phoned that he was out of the office all week. I asked that the on-call Dr. call me with my results.This never happened, even after several calls from me. I made an appointment with one of my regular physicians and said I would have Dr. Chitayat's office send my results to their office prior to my appointment, they never did. My Dr. had to call and get the results faxed over during my appointment. I've never had a Dr.'s office staff be so dismissive. My other Dr.'s would always call with my lab/test results, I never had to call multiple times to track them down myself. While Dr. Chitayat seems very thorough, his staff seems disinterested in helping this patient. I have been calling for the past two days trying to cancel my follow up appointment but no one is in the office, I keep getting the answering machine. I am calling during regular office hours, so maybe the entire office is on vacation? The two stars review is due to his staff, which needs to improve their patient relations skills. read more

I work for the hospital Dr chitayat rounds in. I decided to take my daughter to him for a simple reflux issue. I was told to be at the office promptly at 4pm since that was the only time she could be seen. My daughter and I have been waiting for over an hour to be called. It's not like the office is busy and it feels like the staff just abandoned us to go home themselves. I am very disappointed in this experience. I should have just made a tele-med appt read more

Dr Ron Chitayat is a great doctor. He is straight to the point and very clear with explaining things. His staff is great as well. I will be coming back again. read more

Not commenting in his professional skills, mainly because I find his personality difficult. I personally will not deal with someone that behaves rudely. Won't listen, acts very omnipotently read more

The doctor is knowledgeable but does not have good bedside matters! I had recently a Colonoscopy and the preparation was very difficult for me, I was vomiting the whole day before and after the Colonoscopy, the doctor came and complained to me about how difficult it was for him to do this Colonoscopy and embarrassed me in front of my daughter about some food group that I should not have eaten 5 days before the procedure.. My thoughts on that is let your patients know exactly what they cannot eat, not just say vegetables and fruits...No I don't recommend him, I like Doctors that have compassion and politeness with their patients, specially after a some kind of a procedure you have endured.... The office is not that great either, they told me that my husband was not a stablished patient when he has had two procedures done in his office, then they apologized for their mistake.. Believe me when I say I did not eat anything for almost 48 hours prior to my Colonoscopy.. read more

I was referred to Dr. Chitayit by my gynecologist. I was very impressed with his calm and professional manner. He took a thorough history and listened to my questions. I did not feel rushed or condescended to on any level. Appropriate blood tests were done and the colonoscopy was scheduled right away. Procedure went well and the doctor stayed and answered all my questions. I recommend this doctor and will return again. Professional and friendly office staff. Spotless office. Ample parking in lot where his medical building is. read more

Dr. Chitayat is one of the kindest most knowledgeable physicians I have ever met. He takes the time assess your individual needs. He comes up with a collaborative plan to best fit your ailment. He is easy to talk to and makes you feel very comfortable. I recommend Dr. Chitayat 100% P.s. It is always important to know what your insurance covers and what it does not cover. It's sad to see when people blame other people for their own mistake. read more

When I when into the office the assistant said she would show me a colonoscopy video. When I said that I had come for an asophogus problem and do not require a colonoscopy I was told that they did not accept my health insurance. I had previously given full details of my health insurance over the phone and been assured that they accept it. If you dont want to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more than is necessary for your gastro problem I suggest finding an ethical doctor who bills only for woirk required. read more

Dr. Chitayat has given me excellent care. He picked up on my slight heart murmur immediately, though no other doctor has mentioned it in forty years. He is concise, yet pleasant, and though I wasn't particularly worried about the procedure I had with him, I was genuinely comforted by his manner when I went under anesthesia. I have felt equally as comfortable with his follow-up. read more

Interesting ! In the last few days, 3 new GREAT reviews! Before, One positive and the rest VERY negative. I wonder why....

I went and saw dr Chitaya for some serious issues I was having. I straight out said I was not there for a colonoscopy. I thought he listened to me but i was wrong. He gave me medicine for constipation and then that day order a colonoscopy. Before the procedure I said I hope he finds something to explain my symptoms, he looked at me as tho I was crazy and it was the first time hearing this. Colonoscopy was clean. Paid over 500.00 out of pocket for a procedure that I was clear about not wanting. Saw him a week later he gave me a script for IBS. Again I tried to tell him my symptoms and tried showing him pictures on my phone of how deformed my stomach looks after eating. He yelled at me "you're not constipated " then went on to say "if you don't like what I'm saying go get another opinion. Few days later he ordered blood work for cancer markers. In the meantime I reported what happened with both visits to my insurance. Called three times for cancer results and was refused answers since I reported him also refused to refill prescription for IBS. If he was the last doctor on the planet I would not see him. Found him rude and hostile. read more

In regards to comments from Haily O dated 3/8/2017: I am the administrator of the surgery center where your procedure was performed. We are in fact a contracted facility for your insurance. I contacted you after I was informed of your situation and assured you that your claim would be re-billed properly under a screening code. We spent close to 30 minutes of time on the phone after business hours to assist you in resolving this problem. This was done at the request of Dr. Chitiat. This required a re-dictated op note and re-submission of your billing. All steps which we were happy to do as there had been an error that needed to be rectified to address and reverse your balance. I'm not sure what more could have been done by Dr Chitiat and the facility, but it was all addressed and rectified as promised. I hope you will rectify your error in posting this review and post an addendum as is deserved. Both the center and Dr Chitiat will continue to strive to make the patient experience a positive one and sincerely hope that your initial opinion has been changed by the collective efforts on your behalf. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Chitayat for about 15 years. I have had several upper GI endoscopy and Colonoscopy tests done over the years. I also had diverticulitis surgery last year and it went very well! I had a quick recovery and all the staff, Nurses and Dr.'s, are so kind, courteous, and knowlegeable. Thank you , Diane read more

Thanks for the reply, however, 6 months after I wrote the review is TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. If the office of Dr Chitayat, or Dr. Chitayat himself, truly cared, a follow up would have been immediate. Perhaps Dr. Chtayat should learn how to treat human beings with compassion, especially those that are very ill. I find the fact that this response was 6 months after my daughter was in the hospital, quite insulting! read more

I would never refer anyone to Dr Chitaya. I went to see him for some issues I was having. I told him straight out I did not want or need a colonoscopy. He gave me some samples of Meds to help me with constipation. Next thing he did was ordered a colonoscopy a procedure that cost me 500.00 out of pocket. Right before the colonoscopy I told him I hope he finds something that will give me answers for my symptoms, he looked at me as tho he never heard my symptoms. Of course colonoscopy was not needed. Called his office for a refill of the meds he gave me. Took his office two weeks to try and get me the medicine. In the meantime he ordered a blood test for cancer markers. I called for two weeks for results. I was never given the result. After I complained about not having my results determining if I had cancer or not to my insurance company and calling his office again I was told they forgot to put my results on line for me to see. I filled a complaint with my insurance company and the medical board of California. Today four months later the apologized and said the would never with hold test results but they did. If he was the last Dr on the planet I would not go to him. Oh besides all that he had no problem yelling at me, he had me so upset he brought me to tears and still no idea why I feel the I do. read more

I had an appointment with Dr, Arimie last week. This wasn't my first visit with him. He is very thorough and professional. His staff is also very professional in their demeanor and interaction with patients. I highly recommend Dr. Arimie as he is very accessible and returns calls. I can't explain it enough how thorough and detailed he is. read more

We are so thankful for Dr Chitayat! My husband wasn't feeling well for a long time and after having a clean colonoscopy that didn't show anything wrong, he didn't stop there. He ordered another procedure and was able to find something not expected at all. After surgery he is doing better now and we are so appreciative for his attention and care. Thank you Dr Chitayat! read more

Dr. Chitayat Performed my colonoscopy today, and he did a great job! The procedure was quick, thorough and painless. His office staff has been courteous and helpful to answer any questions I had prior to the colonoscopy. I recommend this doctor to anyone looking for an expert in the field of gastroenterology! read more

Dr. Chitayat listened carefully to me. He outlined a way forward, clearly and compassionately. I met with the surgeon that he referred me to, who is another outstanding doctor. I have had the surgery and are recovering nicely. I am delighted that I met Dr. Chitayat. Highly recommended. read more

At 50 had my first Upper GI Endoscopy and Colonoscopy with Ron Chitayat. Ron and staff are truly talented, efficient, professional, accurate and all-around amazing. The entire office experience was also extremely informative. Reading online about these procedures honestly had me nervous. But after having the procedure (which I had one large pulip and many small pulips - i.e.: 6 months away from having a cancerous pulip) it was pain free, very easy, no discomfort and no bleeding. They pretty much saved my life. In the days and weeks after the procedure the staff did an amazing job of constantly following up to check my status. I highly recommend this amazing team. read more

I'm not a big review person but I thought I needed to voice my thoughts. Four years ago after my 23 year old son moved from Rochester NY to LA to begin his life after college, he was struck down, hit hard with a onset of Chorn's disease. This is a kid who never was sick, never had any signs of this disease, just hit him hard. My friend who lives in LA. luckily rushed him to the hospital, not knowing where to go took him to the hospital she had dealt with herself. I'm so blessed she did. Dr. Chitayat saved my son's life. In the beginning he was a little gruff around the edges, my son was at first upset because his bedside manners weren't stellar. However, as a doctor he is professional and doesn't waste any time. After a week of my son being in the hospital not responding to any medication, his large intestine began to perforate and emergency surgery was needed. Dr. Chitayat wasted no time to 'see' how he would do and Thank God he discovered this perforation when he did. My son pulled through but did end up with an ilostomy which can be reversed, which he is finally ready to do. I think of Dr. Chitayat from time to time and can not thank him enough for saving my son's life! I grew up in a medical family and from my experience, the good docs are the more serious ones and really aren't the warm and fuzzy ones....they have a job to do and they want to do it to their best of ability as possible. After the surgery and my son was ok, I found nothing but kindness and caring from Dr. Chitayat!! The best in our book!! read more