Ruth Rubin, MD

Dr. Rubin is my doctor. I have also gotten to see her also care for a client of mine who was 90 years old. She took excellent care of all of his needs and was always available by cell phone. She responded, even when I called her in the middle of the night to talk to hospital staff about a medical decision for this client. She also has the right connections in the community. When she couldn’t take care of something, she referred me to specialist who could help. She takes time to listen before prescribing medicines and I feel fortunate to have her as my doctor!

if i could give dr. rubin more stars, i would.
i was randomly assigned to dr. rubin through my healthcare plan without having a clue who she was and what to expect,
i have seen her twice in the past couple of months and could not be more impressed with her level of care and concern. she is warm and kind and genuinely cares for my wellbeing. she dispenses her advice with humour and understanding without judgement.
since my two appointments, she has followed up by phone as well as e-​mail to ensure that i am scheduling and getting the treatments i need.
i wish i had found her sooner and i wish i could afford to continue as her patient under her concierge service.
healthcare insurance is an ugly business especially for the medical professionals and i do not fault her at all for taking this path.
i would urge anyone who can afford it, to go to her without any hesitation.

Dr. Rubin is a physician who listens to her patients. The exception to that is her recent decision to join a ‘concierge’ service. This service is sold by telling patients they can make appointments easily and quickly and have immediate access to the physician for anything they may need or have questions about for an additional $ 1800 annually (in addition to whatever your insurance costs may be). In reality, most places in the country don’t engage in or charge for a concierge service, yet they offer these services readily, in addition to services like having labs and X-​rays done on site and allowing patients electronic access to their medical records. Dr. Rubin’s patients never asked for a concierge service.
What is even worse about the concierge service is the level of treatment segregation this physician upholds. If you are not part of the concierge program you are deemed unworthy of the practitioners time even for problem solving issues that arouse as a patient before the concierge service was in place. Office staff does not listen but instead makes statements such as ‘that’s not our problem’ (this comment was directly made to me twice during a call) yet then offers to help if you pay the fees associated with the concierge service.
Health care contains the word ‘care’ for a reason. If we remove the caring aspect of patient treatment the result is impersonal and inadequate treatment, regardless of what benefits a ‘concierge’ service may offer. I am sad to say this practice has lost the ‘care’ portion of practicing. Every health care provider pledges to do what is best for all patients. This practice has chosen to selectively treat patients who can afford to pay additional funds for basic service expectations. Availability of funds or not, I would prefer to be cared for by a practitioner who is interested in treating all patients, regardless of financial ability.

Dr. Rubin seems more concerned with making money than providing quality patient care. She continually pressured me into joining her «concierge practice» even though I told her I could not afford it. Initially, she took me on as a patient with medical insurance, but provided sub standard care. Once I called her office to schedule an appointment after being in a bad car accident. I was told that I could not be seen for 4 days. I asked her receptionist how soon I could be seen, if I were a concierge patient, she replied later that day. Usually, when I was seen for a medical appointment, it was with the Nurse Practitioner. She would make me wait for test results for 4 or more days, & did not return my calls. I believe it is unethical to treat patents differently based on their type of payment for services. She never provided coordination of care with my other providers. As a retired psychotherapist of over 20 years, I never treated clients differently based on their method of payment, whether they had insurance or were paying privately.

I am going to file a complaint against this doctor’s license for ageism. She told my 84 year old mother who has excellent vision and all her wits about her that she was «too old to drive» and that she would «report her to the DMV if she found out that she was still driving». My mother has better vision than me and is an excellent driver.
This threat put my mother into such a state of fear that she is now afraid to drive herself anywhere. Shame on you Dr. Rubin!
BTW, I’m wondering why Jack F. gave her 5 stars when his review is so negative.
She sounds like a greedy pig.

My rating is based on overall experience from the past 15 years. My family and I have been patients of Dr. Rubin for a long time and she’s absolutely amazing. I’m really surprised to read all the comments about her being rude and short because I describe her as a doctor who takes her time, thoughtful, professional and caring. We have all been «Rubin Fans» and when I was forced to leave and use Kaiser, I was totally bummed out! I couldn’t wait to get married (because I love my husband) and switch to my husbands insurance. I didn’t even think twice but immediately after we got hitched, I begged the office to take me back.
Unfortunately I myself and family can’t afford the $ 1,800 fee and very disappointed to be forced to leave her wonderful care. Don’t get me wrong, wish they didn’t decide on the new concierge service and wish she could just make it work for us. I also wish all the staff was on the same page with the changes because this is a pretty serious topic to get wrong information about. It’s hard finding a new doctor and that’s how I came across her Unilocal review. If anyone finds a comparable doctor to recommend please share!
If you can afford it, she’s really one of the best and so is her staff (Especially Elaine)!

Ruth Rubin has decided to get rid rid of all her old patients unless they pay an additional $ 1800 per year. You get access to her by cell phone or email. You still pay for all the office visits. She says you will get a more comprehensive physical with more preventative care. Makes you wonder what you were getting before. Wonderful for all that can afford an extra $ 1800, not great for all her current patients that can’t.
Another doctor controlled by greed and not at all concerned with the patients that go to her.
In addition, you will receive dedicated coordination of care with specialists. Was I n ot getting that before. Just a money grab by a doctor who in the final analysis, cares more about her bottom line than your health.
Boycott this doctor and all others like her that put money ahead of their patients

i am with Pamela and Christina on this. I even asked the office specifically about the concierge fee before taking my 93 year old mother to Rubin’s office and they told me it was an option. However, after waiting for 45 minutes past our appointment time before being seen, Rubin told us that the concierge fee was mandatory and that the front office just didn’t realize that. The previous comments made about her rude and dismissive behavior were right on. Do yourself a big favor and stay away from this operation.

I am changing my review after a recent office visit — what a difference There was a short wait and Dr Rubin was pleasant, informative, interested and thorough. I was impressed and hope this becomes the norm.
My elderly mother has been a client of Dr. Rubin’s for many years. I have accompanied my mom to visits and we have had to wait for more than an hour each time. I have found Dr. Rubin to be rude and short with both me and my mother. She flat out said that her concierge service is «less than what cable costs» and my mother should join to avoid waiting.

As soon as Dr. Rubin found out that I could not afford her concierge service at $ 1800 per year she treated me like «the poor relative.» She had the nerve to ask me if I could ask my mother to pay for it! I was shocked! She said I would only seen by her nurse practitioner as she would be too busy with her «concierge» patients. She then proceeded to tell me that she does not get paid for coordination of care. She was very uppity with me and told me that I should go to Prima for my care… making it sound like I should go tot he poor person clinic. I have great insurance and I was so shocked at her attitude, even if I had the money. I would never go to her. I go to another primary care doctor, who like Dr. Rubin is in practice alone… he treats me wonderfully and caring, like a person. I would never recommend her to anyone.

My wife and two daughters started going to see Dr. Rubin first. After, overhearing how much they liked her, I made the switch when it came time to select a new provider. I have now been a patient (non-​concierge) of Dr. Rubin’s for 8 years and I would highly recommend her. She is incredibly thorough, current with her information, and a great listener. Not only has she taken the time to learn the details of my life, but from a medical standpoint she also really listens and processes the information you give her before making a recommendation. You may have to wait a few minutes to see her, but once you are with her, you never feel rushed. Also, I haven’t felt it necessary to see her on every visit. The nurse practitioners she hires are always excellent and you can tell she touches base with them even if you didn’t see her personally.

Dr. Rubin is a quality primary physician. I found her to be quite personable and her staff were very warm and welcoming. I agree with nicole z., that after seeing her upon your initial visit it is very unlikely you will see her again and will spend most of your interactions with the PA. However this is made known up front, and PA are very capable of diagnosing issues. I personally think it is weird that a doctor has a regular plan (for poor ppl) and a premium plan (where you get the doctors email and phone number) to milk more money from the more affluent Marin crowd (Hippocratic oath anyone). So while this does bother me (my previous physicians have always given me their contact info for free, and i still talk with them even though they no longer treat me!!), it seems to be the norm in the Bay area, or at least amongst Primary care physicians in Marin.

I am a 68 year old male who has been under Dr. Rubin’s care for more than 10 years. I had a few chronic conditions that are no longer a bother to me. Dr. Rubin has directed me on those major concerns to have the necessary tests to diagnose me correctly finally and thus treat me correctly. My weight has been a problem, but her encouraging words, over and over I finally tried W.W. and it worked. I lost 30 lbs. and half the meds I was on. Dr. Rubin;s staff, including her nurse practitioner, are all professional and friendly. I highly recommend Dr. Rubin’s practice.

Dr. Rubin has provided me with superb health care and I am spoiled for good. She is both thorough and professional and her staff remembers my name each time I call. It’s lovely to be greeted so warmly. I have never had to wait longer than 24 hours for her to return my phone calls. Ever. Dr. Rubin not only examines me but educates me and we work together as a team to keep me healthy.

Dr. Rubin is an intelligent physician with a warm demeanor. She actively listens to her patients, and goes to great lengths to insure that they maintain or regain their health. I always receive a follow-​up phone call to check up on the status of my condition.
I personally commute 1.5 hours to see Dr. Rubin because I trust her judgement. She is not afraid to go the extra mile to do additional research on conditions that are not easily diagnosable or to provide her patients with extra resources.
She is one of the few physicians that views my problems in a holistic manner. She always remembers details about my life, and actually cares about me as a person.
An additional plus is her receptionist/“right hand lady” – Elaine – a very capable and kind assistant.

Where do I start… I am (WAS) a rather new patient of Dr. Rubin-​or should I say her Nurse Practitioner. I have found this practice, RUDE, unresponsive and extremely unaccommodating. EVERY time I have been in the office they have made me wait an hour plus. They have actually closed the office (receptionist) left and turned out the lights, while I am still waiting for the dr. on 2 occasions because the dr. was running so late. Seriously! I went in at the beginning of this year with a sinus infection (which I have had several in the past). They gave me 4 different types of antibiotics that didn’t work. I had a sever allergic reaction to one of the medications. I kept asking Dr. Rubin have I been on this before? No no she said. Turns out they have had NO MEDICAL RECORDS for me and NEVER followed up with me or my previous physician to request them. I am a cancer SURVIVOR and am on medication that can react with other medications. I made her aware of this every time we spoke. SHE COULD HAVE KILLED ME. The only reason I found this out was because I called to transfer my files to another dr. and they said they had nothing to transfer! I am applauded and outraged that a «medical professional» would and could practice in this manner.
would give her NO stars but it is not an option.

I’ve been going to Dr. Rubin for about 4 years and was referred to her thru one of her previous colleagues. What I’ve found is that I have only seen Dr. Rubin about twice in that amount of time. Each time I go to her office I’m seen by the Nurse Practitioner (NP), not Dr. Rubin. And, I thought that when I had my physical I would see her. Not the case. I like Dr. Rubin and her staff which I think are great. I did read about her «Concierge program» which I did not sign up for due to the extra expense. I have to go back in to discuss blood work I’ve just had done and will again be seeing the nurse practitioner. My concern is that a NP doesn’t have the background experience or knowledge that a Dr. does and that if there’s something wrong there’s a chance it will get missed since figuring out health issues is a lot like detective work and that’s why you pay to see a Dr, not a nurse.