Michael Y. Mizhiritsky, MD

I find the billing practices in this office to be reprehensible and shady. Once I realized that they’d do anything to charge you as much as possible, I ran for the hills and found a more ethically billing doctor. Despite my not seeing them for an entire year, I received an erroneous bill for a service I’d already paid for. Avoid the headache of this questionably billing office.

I saw Dr. Mizhiritzky in late 2013 and early 2014 for a problem in my mid to upper back.
This problem had persisted for almost four years. I had been under the care of New York Hospital – Queens during that period. There, I had seen an orthopedist repeatedly and a pain specialist a few times. They had misdiagnosed the problem repeatedly. The pain specialist had done a nerve test and found nothing wrong.
Immediately when I saw Dr. Mizhiritsky he insisted on doing the nerve test right then and there at the first appointment even though it had not been scheduled. I explained that the insurance would probably not pay for it to be redone. He said he didn’t care and that they would accept no payment if need be.
Immediately he found that one of my nerves was in fact being pressed by something in my spinal column. Apparently the earlier doctor had screwed up. He recommended seeing his own practice’s pain specialist, Dr. Gupta.
I had some injections with Dr. Gupta near the spinal column. I am much substantially better now. That might be partly because what a neurologist I saw downtown recommended and partly because of what Dr. Gupta did — I’m not sure.
Regardless, I am very grateful to Dr. Mizhirtsky did because he finally figured out what had been ailing my back for several years. This was certainly the decisive step to actually treating it.
Dr. Mizhiritsky and his practice will normally charge high fees, even for doctors. But let me also say that this practice is also quite open to reducing these fees substantially if you are of low or moderate income. Just talk to the office’s finance department.
Finally, let me say that Dr. Mizhiritsky and his assistants always seemed personable and friendly to me.

Horrible experience! This doctor is the worst, most impersonal doctor I have ever met in my entire life. I went there for excrutiating neck pain and had 3 herniated discs. I was told to go to physical therapy and take a medication similar to an anti inflammatory and follow up in 6 weeks. i can barely get outmof bed. In the 5 minutes spent with me, this doctor had no desire to treat my acute pain (funny he calls himself a pain doctor), was NOT able or willing to address my concerns, and he speaks in 4 word sentences. He seemed rushed and I felt I was wasting his time.
Avoid this doctor–

I first went to Dr. Mizhiritsky for my chronic back pain and sciatica on a recommendation from my dentist. I was seen by his assistant who did the preliminary tests. Then he came in and he was the first physician (of 3 previous ones) to actually read my very old MRI and X-​ray results carefully (I waited while his front desk folks downloaded them from an email under his instruction). He ordered a new set, which shows that I have arthritis, stenosis, 2 bulging disks, 1 herniated disk and spondylolisthesis, all of which were carefully explained to me by him and his assistant. He took a nerve test (no it was not fun, but not worse than some acupuncture I have had) which shows my nerves are not yet damaged and that PT might help me. I asked lots of questions about what the PT would do and got answers. I found that he and his assistant were upfront about the fact that PT will not cure my conditions, but could give me tools to strengthen, manage the pain, avoid drugs and hopefully avoid surgery. The physical therapists from his office also read the new MRI and are treating me accordingly. There are contraindications for some of the exercises that are normally given for one or the other of the conditions I have. Good to know and exactly why wanted the therapy.
My first visit with him lasted about 30 minutes, the second about 20.
I also was told that the office took my insurance, but found that taking the insurance and participating in the insurance is not the same thing. Heads up everyone! Mrs. Hayes was very nice and patient when she called about my bill and is working with me to resolve the issues.
I find the PT is helping me, that the massages are good and give information about my condition. Of course, I do have favorite massage therapists. I thought that there were exercise sessions where I was not being watched, but when I skip or ‘forget’ exercises, I found that they are watching to make sure the whole assigned routine is completed. They have a checklist. This is consistent. If I ask questions, I get responses.
I will continue under this doctor’s care.

I can’t believe I just found these reviews. I wish I had seen them before going to this man. His medical assistant actually performed a physical exam on me! He pulled my head up and twisted me back and forth. Then Dr. Mizhiritsky comes in and does that painful electric test on me, despite my concerns about not having it. I told him I didn’t want it and he said I had to have it. He sticks two needles, one in my neck, then in my arm (without telling me). He was pushy and impersonal.
I have been in constant pain since leaving his office. For two days I couldn’t even use my left arm.
I believe 100% he caused me worse issues than what I had. My MRI came back with 3 herniated discs. He did all this to me before knowing what my condition was.
During my second visit I told him about the severe pain, and what his assistant did to me. He said, «he wouldn’t have done that.» Then he ignored my other concerns. I couldn’t believe it.
PLEASE, avoid this doctor at all costs.

I wish I looked at these reviews before I went in! Waited an hour after my appointment time to see the Doc. After waiting another 15 or so in the room he saw me for 2 mins! Didn’t do much more than stretch me and recommend 5 weeks of Physical Therapy!
Luckily my insurance is great and I’m going 2x a week with only a $ 15 copay.
The physical therapy sessions aren’t more than a glorified massage with inattentive trainers.

Please avoid this Doctor’s office at all costs. First off, I had 2 herniated disks and was in horrible pain and he didn’t even pick up on it. Then my insurance changed and he refused to refer me to a pain specialist that would accept my new insurance. I had bills coming in the mail for thousands of dollars and luckily it was all paid by my new insurance and I never thought I would have to deal with his office again. Then a year and a half later I receive a bill in the mail for $ 60 and within a few weeks received 2 more notices– which is weird because they came in once a week. I was waiting for my next pay day (I get paid 2 times per month) and I receive a threatening message from a Mrs. Hayes saying that if I don’t pay the bill that they sent «several» notices about (as I said– i received maybe 3 notices within 3 weeks) that she would take action to garnish my wages. I call to pay my bill over the phone and find out they only accept cash or check. The way I was treated by this office was the worst in my entire life. He even got annoyed that I didn’t want to go to PT in his office. God– why would I trust your PT office after the horrible experience I had with you. Please– do not go to this office. Terrible. And that woman should be fired for threatening me after they made a mistake of not billing me right away. It is not my fault you have a horrible billing department.

I agree with Karen 100%. I wish I had found her review before I went to him. I had the same experience. After the testing, I was in more pain than ever in my life and was extremely scared at what was happening to my arm. I asked his office (3 times) to have him call me. When he did, he could care less, not helpful, and every question I had about what to do, how to function, what about the meds not working, he referred me to another doctor. Not helpful at all. As his patient, he did tests on me, diagnosed me and left me. Then I got a bill for $ 4000 (after being told my insurance covered him).