I had recently lost medical coverage temporarily. I wanted fresh Covid and flu boosters and PAMF had a "low cost clinic". Made my appointment. (Super easy. But also super vague. I couldn't find costs specified anywhere ). I went in and immediately said. "How much are the flu and Covid boosters ?" No one. NO ONE ! Could tell me. I shoulda left right then. Someone said. "Should be less than $100". I said. "Ok. I don't have insurance I'd like to pay now." "Oh it doesn't work that way. We bill you." Again. I shoulda left. No other industry can't quote a price up front. Or collect payment at time of service. Anyways I just paid a $376 bill for literally 1 minute of asking the price and being told "No. we like to surprise our patients !" And 28 seconds of "poke squirt. Poke squirt ". $376 ?!! For two community health related vaccines ? At a "low cost clinic " I'm furious. I checked online. It should be no more than $100 I got duped for trusting these people. Don't fall for it. Beware !!
Knitty K.
Sep 2023
Absolutely the worst doctors office experience. Condescending, lazy, rude, and immature staff. Complete disregard for patients care. A follow up with the manager was not any better. They dropped the ball and did not resolve my issue in a timely manner. I was told a number of 'mis truth' and contradicted information. I tried following up with patient relations and feedback, but no response.
J B.
Sep 2022
I had a prescription that didn't have refills, and the dr office called said they can't refill it until I see the Dr. I have been taking the medication for over 15 years, it's a nightly sleep aid. Reason they want me to come in, for the Dr to make money. I was assign to this Dr two years ago, because my previous Dr retired. The Dr is from another country, and when have visited in the past, I cannot understand her. I ask if I can change to a different dr and they said other dr have too many patients. If I went in, 30 dollars fir a co-payment, then I have to pay 10 percent of the bill. Cost a lot less if I just got a new prescription. I would not recommend PAMF to someone looking for a doctor.
Patsy L.
Jan 2022
Terrible services for this hospital from the staff of urology to emergency room. The emergency room prescribed wrong medication to the patient and discovered after two days later. The staff in front of room no 8 in the emergency room station B is the worst nurse in the world I have ever seen on Wednesday January 26 at 4:10 pm. Very mean and no customer service provide. She is white Caucasian needs to train to be patient and kind to patient. This hospital needs to provide better evaluation to all the staff. They only know how to ask patient to donate money to this hospital but don't know how to provide genuine medical professionals services to patients. Please work with your staff with training to the older age nurse.
Nancy Y.
Oct 2021
I want everyone to be aware of my story if they ever go to Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation for any type of check up. In July 2021, I went to see Qia (Andy) Zhang at one of their hospital locations in Burlingame for a regular annual physical exam. I am a healthy individual going in just for a check up. My health insurance is one of the premium levels of insurance provided by Apple. Between my husband and me, we pay ~$300 per month for this premium health insurance. Since August, I received multiple bills from Sutter Health charging me excess of $300 dollars for various tests that I had no clue were administered. After multiple calls to both the billing department and UHC, I found out that I was tested for a variety of things including rubella antibodies and more. They were all coded as "preventative - general adult medical examination without abnormal findings" but in speaking with doctor friends, these are generally not needed in a normal, healthy adult's annual check up. Even if the doctor did want to test something special, he should have disclosed it and coded it appropriately. If you are a doctor, you can let me know. I tried calling Qia Zhang to find out more. I never received any call back. The billing department was worse. I talked to multiple people who outrightly blamed me for getting charged. Saying that it's my responsibility to know what I need to be tested for and exactly which tests are covered under my insurance. To be clear, the doctor did no disclose to me anything about what he was going to test me for. I also never received any results from any test. Another billing rep said that if it was just a regular physical, I should not have disclosed any discomfort to the doctor which could have triggered the doctor to run extra tests. The only thing I told Qia Zhang was that my stomach was feeling funny for a couple months back but now I was fine. This is not my first, second, or third annual check up. I am 30+ now and have done enough annuals but I have never been told that I shouldn't disclose to the doctor if there is anything wrong with me at an annual exam. I have never experienced a bill for an annual even when I had much worse insurance at other companies. In sharing my story with other Apple employees, we found out that many people have had similar experiences with Sutter Health, one of whom was charged over $1200 just for an annual exam. Right now, we are at a limbo where UHC says it's Sutter Health's issue and vice versa and I'm in the middle stuck with a large bill. It really is not the money at this point, it's the principal of the matter. My husband and I are lucky enough to have full time jobs during this pandemic. What if this large bill landed on someone who was less fortunate? Everyone, please be careful when you go to the doctor's, especially Sutter Health. We have since heard too many horror stories about their tactics. It is really sad that the medical and insurance system cannot be trusted.
Brian S.
Jul 2021
This is for Dr. Jenny Yee in audiology. I was refered to her by my neurologist, Dr. Akers, for a hearing evaluation sense I have some tinitis. The ladies at the front desk are very friendly, expediting the check-in process. I love how you can do paperwork online to save time when you arrive. She is very friendly, soft spoken, patient, takes the time to explain things to you & answer your questions, & so forth. She put me through a battery of tests, checking hearing, speech recognision, ear function; including checking ear drums & bone conduction. I was relieved to know that it I have no hearing loss & that it could be from medications, stress, & lack of sleep; all things I am waiting to talk to Dr. Akers about. So, for a wonderful audiologist, you cannot beat Dr. Yee. Keep up the good work Dr. Yee & staff.
Alice A.
Jun 2021
I was a little lost looking for this place on my first visit so I was two minutes late to my appointment. Checking in took a long time because there were people in front of me who had issues, and there was only one staff at the front desk. By the time I got checked in, I was 11 minutes into my appt. After more waiting, I was told that either I had to wait indefinitely until a spot opened up by luck or reschedule. The waiting room was empty except for one other person. How did my doctor get to her next patient when I was the only one there for her and I didn't see anyone else checking in to see her? The check in process was extremely poorly handled and the worst part was how rude the staff were. I was referred to PAMF by my primary care physician who had said, people seemed to really like this place--REALLY? This hospital may look nice from the outside but it is the worst.
B. K.
May 2021
I like the doctor's the hospital itself is horrible. They have a wonderful online system you can ask questions and the staff for the hospital help are helpful. But I asked a simple question of how much is a flu shot from the staff and the answer was to go look it up on another website that was of no help to me. Talk about giving you the run-around and not caring
Cristiane B.
Nov 2020
The doctors there are very good; but there is a lot of burocracy there. I made an appointment with an Urologist there and prior to that I had done all the pre-exams and lab works through a primary care. My lab work results were faxed there prior to my appointment and I also brought a copy with me. The staff there insisted that I would go pee in the cup and do it again and were very forceful. Even when I told them that I had the lab results with me also and preferred to just go over them with the doctor. I felt that they were just looking for another way to be able to charge me for extra stuff. I have a very high deductible and coinsurance; I didn't see the reason to do this when I had done this just a few days ago. They did this for my first appointment with the Urologist and also on the follow up appointment one month later. I was never diagnosed with a bladder infection. The diagnosis was an overactive bladder and I had to start a new medication. The risk of the medication is that it could increase my blood pressure. When I refused to do the urine test before talking to the doctor again on my follow up appointment; the doctor's assistant slammed the door and left me in the doctor's office without taking any of my vitals such as my blood pressure. I don't understand why she was so concerned about getting an urine sample and not checking my blood pressure. Could it be because they can't charge extra for just checking your blood pressure?
Anita L.
Jun 2020
I've been going to PAMF clinics for years and have always enjoyed my experience. Being able to use PAMF online to email my health care team has saved me significant time when I have non-urgent questions I need addressed. The care team has always been very prompt in responding to any concerns I might have and now, they even have a feature where you can check in online which minimizes the amount of time that you spend at the front desk. There are multiple departments here all under one roof so you can easily get your primary and specialized care in one place. The PAMF clinic at Mills Peninsula Hospital has provided a very consistent experience, up to my expectations and standards. They even have a separate PAMF-only lab for patients separate from the hospital lab which helps to expedite your visit in to get blood work and other laboratory tests.
Aaron K.
I had recently lost medical coverage temporarily. I wanted fresh Covid and flu boosters and PAMF had a "low cost clinic". Made my appointment. (Super easy. But also super vague. I couldn't find costs specified anywhere ). I went in and immediately said. "How much are the flu and Covid boosters ?" No one. NO ONE ! Could tell me. I shoulda left right then. Someone said. "Should be less than $100". I said. "Ok. I don't have insurance I'd like to pay now." "Oh it doesn't work that way. We bill you." Again. I shoulda left. No other industry can't quote a price up front. Or collect payment at time of service. Anyways I just paid a $376 bill for literally 1 minute of asking the price and being told "No. we like to surprise our patients !" And 28 seconds of "poke squirt. Poke squirt ". $376 ?!! For two community health related vaccines ? At a "low cost clinic " I'm furious. I checked online. It should be no more than $100 I got duped for trusting these people. Don't fall for it. Beware !!
Knitty K.
Absolutely the worst doctors office experience. Condescending, lazy, rude, and immature staff. Complete disregard for patients care. A follow up with the manager was not any better. They dropped the ball and did not resolve my issue in a timely manner. I was told a number of 'mis truth' and contradicted information. I tried following up with patient relations and feedback, but no response.
J B.
I had a prescription that didn't have refills, and the dr office called said they can't refill it until I see the Dr. I have been taking the medication for over 15 years, it's a nightly sleep aid. Reason they want me to come in, for the Dr to make money. I was assign to this Dr two years ago, because my previous Dr retired. The Dr is from another country, and when have visited in the past, I cannot understand her. I ask if I can change to a different dr and they said other dr have too many patients. If I went in, 30 dollars fir a co-payment, then I have to pay 10 percent of the bill. Cost a lot less if I just got a new prescription. I would not recommend PAMF to someone looking for a doctor.
Patsy L.
Terrible services for this hospital from the staff of urology to emergency room. The emergency room prescribed wrong medication to the patient and discovered after two days later. The staff in front of room no 8 in the emergency room station B is the worst nurse in the world I have ever seen on Wednesday January 26 at 4:10 pm. Very mean and no customer service provide. She is white Caucasian needs to train to be patient and kind to patient. This hospital needs to provide better evaluation to all the staff. They only know how to ask patient to donate money to this hospital but don't know how to provide genuine medical professionals services to patients. Please work with your staff with training to the older age nurse.
Nancy Y.
I want everyone to be aware of my story if they ever go to Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation for any type of check up. In July 2021, I went to see Qia (Andy) Zhang at one of their hospital locations in Burlingame for a regular annual physical exam. I am a healthy individual going in just for a check up. My health insurance is one of the premium levels of insurance provided by Apple. Between my husband and me, we pay ~$300 per month for this premium health insurance. Since August, I received multiple bills from Sutter Health charging me excess of $300 dollars for various tests that I had no clue were administered. After multiple calls to both the billing department and UHC, I found out that I was tested for a variety of things including rubella antibodies and more. They were all coded as "preventative - general adult medical examination without abnormal findings" but in speaking with doctor friends, these are generally not needed in a normal, healthy adult's annual check up. Even if the doctor did want to test something special, he should have disclosed it and coded it appropriately. If you are a doctor, you can let me know. I tried calling Qia Zhang to find out more. I never received any call back. The billing department was worse. I talked to multiple people who outrightly blamed me for getting charged. Saying that it's my responsibility to know what I need to be tested for and exactly which tests are covered under my insurance. To be clear, the doctor did no disclose to me anything about what he was going to test me for. I also never received any results from any test. Another billing rep said that if it was just a regular physical, I should not have disclosed any discomfort to the doctor which could have triggered the doctor to run extra tests. The only thing I told Qia Zhang was that my stomach was feeling funny for a couple months back but now I was fine. This is not my first, second, or third annual check up. I am 30+ now and have done enough annuals but I have never been told that I shouldn't disclose to the doctor if there is anything wrong with me at an annual exam. I have never experienced a bill for an annual even when I had much worse insurance at other companies. In sharing my story with other Apple employees, we found out that many people have had similar experiences with Sutter Health, one of whom was charged over $1200 just for an annual exam. Right now, we are at a limbo where UHC says it's Sutter Health's issue and vice versa and I'm in the middle stuck with a large bill. It really is not the money at this point, it's the principal of the matter. My husband and I are lucky enough to have full time jobs during this pandemic. What if this large bill landed on someone who was less fortunate? Everyone, please be careful when you go to the doctor's, especially Sutter Health. We have since heard too many horror stories about their tactics. It is really sad that the medical and insurance system cannot be trusted.
Brian S.
This is for Dr. Jenny Yee in audiology. I was refered to her by my neurologist, Dr. Akers, for a hearing evaluation sense I have some tinitis. The ladies at the front desk are very friendly, expediting the check-in process. I love how you can do paperwork online to save time when you arrive. She is very friendly, soft spoken, patient, takes the time to explain things to you & answer your questions, & so forth. She put me through a battery of tests, checking hearing, speech recognision, ear function; including checking ear drums & bone conduction. I was relieved to know that it I have no hearing loss & that it could be from medications, stress, & lack of sleep; all things I am waiting to talk to Dr. Akers about. So, for a wonderful audiologist, you cannot beat Dr. Yee. Keep up the good work Dr. Yee & staff.
Alice A.
I was a little lost looking for this place on my first visit so I was two minutes late to my appointment. Checking in took a long time because there were people in front of me who had issues, and there was only one staff at the front desk. By the time I got checked in, I was 11 minutes into my appt. After more waiting, I was told that either I had to wait indefinitely until a spot opened up by luck or reschedule. The waiting room was empty except for one other person. How did my doctor get to her next patient when I was the only one there for her and I didn't see anyone else checking in to see her? The check in process was extremely poorly handled and the worst part was how rude the staff were. I was referred to PAMF by my primary care physician who had said, people seemed to really like this place--REALLY? This hospital may look nice from the outside but it is the worst.
B. K.
I like the doctor's the hospital itself is horrible. They have a wonderful online system you can ask questions and the staff for the hospital help are helpful. But I asked a simple question of how much is a flu shot from the staff and the answer was to go look it up on another website that was of no help to me. Talk about giving you the run-around and not caring
Cristiane B.
The doctors there are very good; but there is a lot of burocracy there. I made an appointment with an Urologist there and prior to that I had done all the pre-exams and lab works through a primary care. My lab work results were faxed there prior to my appointment and I also brought a copy with me. The staff there insisted that I would go pee in the cup and do it again and were very forceful. Even when I told them that I had the lab results with me also and preferred to just go over them with the doctor. I felt that they were just looking for another way to be able to charge me for extra stuff. I have a very high deductible and coinsurance; I didn't see the reason to do this when I had done this just a few days ago. They did this for my first appointment with the Urologist and also on the follow up appointment one month later. I was never diagnosed with a bladder infection. The diagnosis was an overactive bladder and I had to start a new medication. The risk of the medication is that it could increase my blood pressure. When I refused to do the urine test before talking to the doctor again on my follow up appointment; the doctor's assistant slammed the door and left me in the doctor's office without taking any of my vitals such as my blood pressure. I don't understand why she was so concerned about getting an urine sample and not checking my blood pressure. Could it be because they can't charge extra for just checking your blood pressure?
Anita L.
I've been going to PAMF clinics for years and have always enjoyed my experience. Being able to use PAMF online to email my health care team has saved me significant time when I have non-urgent questions I need addressed. The care team has always been very prompt in responding to any concerns I might have and now, they even have a feature where you can check in online which minimizes the amount of time that you spend at the front desk. There are multiple departments here all under one roof so you can easily get your primary and specialized care in one place. The PAMF clinic at Mills Peninsula Hospital has provided a very consistent experience, up to my expectations and standards. They even have a separate PAMF-only lab for patients separate from the hospital lab which helps to expedite your visit in to get blood work and other laboratory tests.