Dr. Lisa Higa

Dr. Higa is an excellent doctor. She is extremely knowledgeable about medicine, very kind and compassionate. She takes as much time as needed to answer any questions that I might have. She is very personable and just easy to work with. I always look forward to seeing her. The other reviewer should make a review based on an actual visit with Dr. Higa, not just the front desk staff which she has minimal control over.

I’m sure Dr. Higa is a fine Gastroenterologist, but my wife will never know because she couldn’t get past the person (Linda) that is the face/​front door/​appointment taker at her Walnut Creek clinic. My wife called Dr. Higa’s office for an appointment for a procedure based on a referral (for 3 consults) from her Primary Care doctor. My wife explained that she wanted to schedule the consultation and she was greeted with «The doctor isn’t going to take her time just to talk to the patient and exchange pleasantries». When my wife responded «but my health insurance approved the referral», the customer service representative curtly stated «that’s not how it works». My wife decided that if it is the expectation of this office to not get a patient consult with the doctor then she would go elsewhere for her procedure.
I sense 3 things are at work here and none of them good.
A) the CSR is correct and the doctor has provided orders not to see the patient in a consult.
B) the CSR is newly contracted and uniformed or «free-​styling» against the doctor’s direction.
C) the doctor is fully unaware of this CSRs behavior and the fact that her reputation is being damaged by the «face at the door».
Whichever the option, I would hope Dr. Higa investigates this issue (9÷9÷15, in the morning).

I have been going to Dr. Higa for about 3 years for routine (OK — I am over 50) check ups and colonoscopies. She is great! No one (that I know of) likes to have these done, but they are crucial to catch early stage disease that is almost always curable when caught early enough. Dr. Higa is easy to talk to, understands fears and concerns, and works with you to help make it quick and as easy as possible. I have been suffering from IBS-​type symptoms for most of my life and she worked hard to find the cause. I wish all doctors were as dedicated and caring as she is.