UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

My physician @ UCSD recommended and referred me to the pain center last week to get trigger point and occipital block injections as quickly as possible. My physician sent the referral through a week ago and told me if they had not contacted me the next day to call myself and set up the appt. I got a «push a button» message center and left a message with all my information so they could call me back. It has now been a week and no callback to me. How are we supposed to schedule an urgent appointment? Please, please tell me how.

Love this hospital, very friendly and professional staff, very clean and modern facility,

I just recently started to come to this center and not sure how is all going to go, but so far, I’ve been noticing their scheduling system is very different than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s sort of a «dont call us, we’ll call you» system, where if you’ve been referred to them, you have to wait till they call you and let you know when they have openings. Also for surgery, good luck because apparently is some kind of very complex system in which they have to coordinate surgeons availability with that of the operating room and somehow maximize utilization of all involved.
So in that sense, it seemed like it was all about their requirements and not so much the patients needs.
On the positive side, staff does seem kind and understanding and my «main» Doctor specifically has a very humble attitude, not often seen in Doctors (haha) but I appreciate it and makes me very comfortable, maybe when its over, I will list the Dr’s name, although come to think of it, maybe he/​she might not want their name on here because of too much attention… LOL!

They never listened to any of my complaints. I’m telling them I’m going to commit suicde from the pain and they are telling me to come back in 3mo. They never did anything. Then all of a sudden they tell me I have late stage four cancer and they completely abandon me. All they do is say, «see you in three months». They have never given me any counseling on what to expect, never told me to fight it, never told me to hang in there, never offered any solutions or therapy. When I go to emergency with horrible pains I am neglected and disrespected. I guess they figure, «why waste money on some old guy that is going to die anyway, plus we won’t be getting any money from him soon». I wish I had never paid them a dime. I wonder how much they made off me? It was wiered. I don’t know if they didn’t like me. It was like a Franz Kafka novel.

I am a Kaiser member and was dignosed with breast cancer in December of 2014. I had first surgery in February and had to go back in for second surgery in march to make sure the margin was clear. thank goodness it had not went into lymph nodes so I didn’t have to have chemo. My doctor at Kaiser recommended radation treatments since Kaiser doesn’t offer these services at Kaiser they sent me to UCSD in LaJolla. I went to meet with doctors at Pet/​ct center and they decided on my txs. I then went to Moores Cancer center for all of my radations treatments all 32 of them. I can not say anything but good about this place the people were all fanstatic there always friendly caring and very caring and supportive felt like family to me. and then I went to see Dr Einck on Wednesday at pet bldg. all the nurses and drs I saw there were very caring and ready to listen to you and your concerns if I needed to have something ansered or anything the nurse kay was great to call me back and give me cream for my redness everyone wa very kind and caring I feel I got very good treatment there Monday awas my last treatment and they had me ring the bell alittle graduation they do on your last day and gave me alitle diploma paper I want to thank everyone there from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful trament you gave me and the respect I got you are all so wonderful thanks so much I will miss seeing you but glad its over thanks again fran

Amazing! Nobody wants to be at a cancer center but the care you get here is always superb! Everyone from check in to nurses to chemo staff! Thank you for your dedication!

In regards to my doctor, I was happy. I’m going to two different hospitals and there is a marked difference between the office staff here, and the other hospital. UCSD ‘s general office staff is oftentimes unfriendly and unhelpful. My biggest problem is with their billing department. I have been over billed on a regular basis. In the beginning of going there, I asked the administrative assistant for my doctor if he was in-​network with my insurance plan. I was told yes. I received bills, however, that billed me as though he was out-​of-​network and more than triple the amount I was supposed to be paying. I inquired again with the doctor’s administrative assistant, asking if the doctor «was definitely in — network with my insurance plan?» She said, «Definitely.» I made two phone calls to the billing department and got nowhere. I asked to speak to the manager, and I was told he was unavailable. I asked the person I spoke with to have him give me a call. To date, I have not received a call. Consequently, I wrote a letter to the billing department addressing the issue. I mentioned everything written above, and I included a copy of costs and benefits for my insurance plan. I also noted I had telephoned before, and still hadn’t received a promised call back from the manager. That was over 5 months ago, and I have yet to receive any reply whatsoever.
Recently, I had to have surgery. Before surgery, I inquired as to what my total costs would be and as to whether any of the staff involved would be out-​of-​network with my insurance. I was assured they and the hospital were all in-​network with my insurance, and given a total cost down to the penny. After surgery, the bill was more than $ 1000 higher, and I was billed as out-​of-​network. I wrote another two letters and one email regarding the billing, and it has been about one month, and I have yet to receive a reply.
I can’t tell you how pathetic it is to have to be dealing with this matter while dealing with stage three cancer. There is not one good reason for not replying to my letters or email. Some of their services are so primitive. Note well, I have been paying my bills at the in-​network rate since the beginning.

Newly diagnosed I’m finding that the trauma is not in the diagnosis but in the mistreatment from staff here. Not once have I cried from my diagnosis of lymphoma but several times I have cried harder than ever before for not being treated as a human being and made to feel like my feelings are not valid. Like the gentleman above I am finding my oncologist, Dr. Reid, spectacular but her staff in the wrong field of work. It’s unfortunate that even though I have a good attitude there are inconsiderate people to ruin my faith in the human race. Hold on tight — it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

5 stars off the bat because a loved one of mine works his ass off as a researcher here. Hes smart and awesome so by association, so is this place.
I came in once simply for a blood withdrawal to see if Im a match as a donor for said loved one. Facility is nice, modern and fancy. never seen a medical facility with valet parking and a high tech public water dispenser. checking in was fast and easy. For lab service, it was the shortest wait ive ever had. Eddie who did the bloody deed was awesome. techs usually have a hard time with me because of my small veins but eddie had no issues. He was really friendly and conversed w me through the entire way to keep my mind off of the unpleasantness.
Total time there was 30 min tops. Regarding parking, I refused to pay $ 4 as a visitor at a medical facility so I parked a block away on regents rd and executive dr.
To everyone involved in cancer research, thank you so much. You guys are the humble unsung heroes. If it werent for you, our loved ones wouldnt have known of the treatment that prolonged their lives.

My father was diagnosed with stage 4 metastacized lung cancer back in February. He was with Kaiser at the time and his PCP kept misdiagnosing what was wrong with him. The cancer was eating away at his hip and the Kaiser doctor thought it was his sciatic nerve or something like that. We were very unhappy with the response times at Kaiser and so we switched him to straight Medicare and got him over to Moore’s. The staff there has been unbelievable in helping us through this difficult time. Dr. William Mitchell and Carol Horton make you really feel comfortable when they speak to you and you genuinely get the feel that they care for your afflicted loved one’s well being.

Can’t help but to pray & bless all the individuals who dedicate their lives doing the work of battling cancer. One day soon, all sickness and disease will be gone. Shalom.

Dr Bouvett and his staff of RN’s, students and specialist were the best ever!!! i made them laugh because the environment was pretty depressing looking at every one in the waiting room holding on to life!!! I’m not giving up on me! And they were so attentive to my needs and my family’s concerns! They answered all my child’s inquisitive questions, which I thought was great cause I was out of my mind with information. They all made me fell like a movie star they showed me so much affection and attention I was blown away with my care. When my doctor and his staff talked to me they actually sat down beside me touched me held my hand and made me feel like not only were they compassionate but the empathized and sympathized with me and brought in a whole team of six to study my progress and asked my permission for every little procedure and explained in detail what was happening and what could happen!!! Never one time did they show me a sign of impatience. I’m so happy with the way I was treated while in the care of the MD also the RN and the MD’s called me at home and on my cell phone repeatedly to check on my status and to make sure if I needed any thing just to call on cell phone that way I would not have to sit on hold with receptionist WOW what more can I say this dude is terrific!!! Very nice bedside manner, incredible experience despite my circumstance!!! Thanks Moore’s cancer treatment center!!!

What a really nice facility — very beautiful and serene. The staff is very helpful and kind.

Terrific center– The facility was very modern & the staff, super friendly. The entire medical campus is beautiful… BUT!!!
Address:
There aren’t any large, viewable-​from-​the-​street, numbers on the buidlings. From what I could tell, every building has a visible name on it. It wasn’t until I drove right up to the building that I could see a # on it. When making my appointment, it would’ve been outstanding if she would’ve said, «3855 Health Sciences Drive– the UCSD Moore’s Cancer Clinic.» That would’ve saved an extra 20 minutes of driving.
Parking:
It looks ample– but it’s not… not unless you have a parking permit and at midday– still not easy to find one. Finding a parking spot is like musical chairs– you have to be fast! If you drive anything bigger than a Smart Car– you’re SOL.
Parking Validation:
At midday– you’re better off using valet. Valet= $ 7/​hr & no hunting for a parking spot — or Self Parking=$ 4/​first 2 hours +addl. If you MUST use the self-​park, pay for your validation at one of the kiosks before getting into your car– otherwise, you’ll end up sitting in your car, in a long line while everyone Tokyo Drifts their Smart Car around you.

I wasn’t happy with all of their services. Some workers here were kind, caring, and professional. Others were thoughtless and heartless. I hoped for a miracle but only received average results. Though I didn’t like our oncologist’s staff, I have to admit that our oncologist was very good and very sympathetic. I don’t know how she could do it. How does a oncologist not get burned out trying to help cancer patients.

I have been coming here for the past few months & all the staff starting with the front desk throughout the center is really friendly, they make you feel welcomed and very attentive.

The doctors are great, but the billing office is by far the worst I have ever encountered.
A couple of years ago, UCSD started charging the Moores Cancer Center patients hospital fees for use of the facility.
I have very good insurance, and before this happened, I co-​paid $ 20. to the doctor for a routine visit, and $ 40 once a year to the hospital lab for a culture (something that insurance pays 100% at a regular doctor’s office).
Now, they are charging over $ 200 for these routine visits — after insurance. Which is, of course, a rip off. They are no longer just a doctor’s office. Congratulations… if you go here, you are considered a hospital patient by insurance companies.
I am done with this ridiculous money vacuum.

5 Stars for Moore Center. 0 Stars for Cancer.
Ive come here a lot lately. My momma is very sick and so we spend a huge chunk of our lives here. The staff are nothing but stellar, nothing short of fantastic! The Dr.‘s speak to you in «normal» terms, they are very personable. I like that I feel as if I can actually believe and trust them.
The grounds are beautiful, very well kept and clean. The security guards are nice & valet is cheap for those that are non patients. Everyone around there just has this incredible understanding and patience. Its just nice to have others make you feel very at ease when you are internally freaking out.
We have had treatments and appointments all over California, and by far UCSD Trumps over UCSF, UCLA and Any Hospital in Humboldt County. To the Many Doctors, Neurologists, Oncologists, Nurses, to the staff at the Radiation Ctr, to even the main Hospital, I can never express my thankfulness and appreciation to all staff that has helped my mom and my family.
See you there later today !