Einat Duhamel – MD

I visited dr Duhamel first time in September 2015. I have Medicare and Supplemental for 10 years. I have high premiums and don’t pay for anything else even co-​pay. I ended up with a bill of $ 244 dollars, no pap smear and a lot of anxiety. I called medicare and was told, i was eligible for the pap smear if she would of done it the whole visit would of been covered. She also misquoted the reason for the visit. She is very arrogant person, she is treating me like I am the one created the problem. Don’t use this doctor she can care less about billing and can screw up your credit. I am going through a lengthy process to straiten out this mess.

Exactly what Christie B said below however our experience wasn’t as horrendous as hers. It started off fine but as things progressed up to the day of delivery, she was lame .
We understand we have a nice PPO and things cost out of pocket but My wife was getting the same up and down your Positive, oh your negative HPV bullshit runaround. It was as if she didn’t read her chart.
One thing I will say is the Nurses at Scripps La Jolla were amazing. I can’t say enough for them. They made the birthing experience much more pleasant.
So after we had our baby and had a follow up at her office, she walked right by us, didn’t look in and see the little one. I know what you are thinking of you are reading this «so what?» Maybe you are right but after enduring all that from a natural childbirth and paying out a couple grand to her office, you would think a pop in and hello would be ok, or no?

I’ve been seeing Dr. Duhamel a few years now since recommended by a friend. I’ve always found her so easy to talk to and am so glad I made the switch. She has always been so kind to me and is prompt with little to no waiting time each visit. Sometimes I’ll ask her multiple questions about other areas and she is always willing to talk to me and offer help. Her assistant is lovely as well, but I do feel Dr. Duhamel has a special manner combined with her medical knowledge that actually makes visits with her a pleasure.

I chose Dr. Duhamel to be my OB once I found out I was pregnant. First, I learned that I would only see her every other visit and see her assistant Margie on the alternative office visits. I also learned that there was a good chance Dr. Duhamel would not be delivering my baby. She also seemed less than enthused when I expressed interest in having a natural childbirth. I felt like I was just a number and no real connection with someone who really cared about my health and baby’s health but this just one of the deciding factors on why I dropped her and searched for another doctor.
Her office runs what is considered routine prenatal exams and tests. I get it that they do this everyday — but I don’t, this is my first baby and it’s all new to me. She and her assistant do not detail what they consist of and why they may be needed. They may be considered routine to her office but I don’t see why some of them are necessary. Once I got the bill I realized I should have been more proactive and asked what the tests were and how much they were going to be exactly. For example, I know that I am not HIV positive and any doctor would tell you that I’m in a very low risk category for it and we don’t have a history of Cystic Fibrosis in my husband’s family. Two tests I would not have agreed to pay for if I had known they were going to test for them. The Cystic Fibrosis test alone is over $ 1200. Also, she told me all of my test results came back negative and everything looked great. Later that day I get a voicemail message saying that they were wrong and they overlooked one of tests that came back positive. This made me wonder what else they overlooked.
Margie the assistant then talked to me about the MaterniT21 genetic test and said that it would cost $ 150 and said it was not usually covered by insurance. I thought it was worth it and so then she asked for a credit card. I gave her my credit card for payment but it was never charged. Instead I got a bill several weeks later for $ 2500. I called Dr. Duhamel’s office back and she said that it should be no more than $ 200 and that I should just call the Sequenom company and they would work with me on getting the bill reduced. So, why did she take my credit card in the office and why did she quote me exactly $ 150 the first time? Their office doesn’t know why and acts like a $ 50 difference isn’t a big deal. I have my own business and I would never do this to my own customers without a thorough explanation and I would not have an indifferent attitude about the price difference.
I decided to switch doctors and get a second test on the one that Dr. Duhamel’s office said I tested positive for and it came back negative. My new doctor delivers 99% of his patient’s babies and he and his staff are genuinely warm and welcoming and thoroughly answer all of my questions. I am so glad I switched doctors!

There’s nothing more awkward than your gyno annual. Thank goodness for Dr. Duhamel and her team. They are so friendly and immediately make you feel comfortable. Everyone tries to make small talk with you and distract you from the awkwardness that’s going on. Dr. Duhamel is always so patient and receptive to questions (even the weird random ones) and gives great advice. You almost don’t even need a general doctor, since Dr. Duhamel can help diagnose any issues you have. I’ve also met with her team’s ultrasound technician. She was the sweetest lady, and her office was unbelievably comfortable. I could have fallen asleep in there while getting an ultrasound.
The only thing is that I can’t ever remember how to pronounce her name correctly. I think it’s Doo-​HAM-​el, not DU-​ha-​mel.

She’s great! And her assistant, Margie, as well! Both very nice and informative, and they both listen to your concerns and care! They are making my first experience a great one!!!

I first went to Dr. Duhamel about 2 years ago when I was living in north county, and let me say she is a fantastic doctor! I was very impressed by her down to earth approach to everything, and how well she explained things to me in simple terms. She was thorough and paid attention to any concern I had. I always felt safe with her by my side as she always gentle with each annual exam and overflowing with knowledge when it came to my many health issues (which I won’t go into details).
For example I once came in, and casually expressed how tired I was lately and she was wise enough to have me do a blood test, and sure enough my vitamin D level’s were at a dangerous low! She really listened to me as a patient, and made a huge difference in aiding my health. I cannot thank her enough.
Sadly I moved out of the San Diego area so I no longer go to her practice, but I recommend her to all my friends still living in the area. She is simply fantastic.