Associated Internal Medicine Group

The worst place I’ve ever been to — they cancelled my appointments (called me to reschedule) FOUR times while I was ON MY WAY THERE or the day before (pretty much every appointment I made), being very unapologetic and rude about it! Extremely frustrating and unreliable especially when you have to make arrangements to take time off for these appointments and you have to wait a long time for them. Even though it is hard to find an in-​network provider in my area, I am so outraged by this experience that I am never going back there again

awful. poor customer service. not respectful of patients at all. no new appointments for over 3 months. staff and the physicians were super rude and condescending! don’t go here!

I started writing a review of Associated Internal a few years ago and forgot to finish it. I’ve been a patient here since 2010 and while I have always loved the medical staff, I admittedly had a rocky beginning with the administrative side. Delayed referrals, brand-​name prescriptions instead of generic, etc. But I think they streamlined their operations, because service has been amazing since at least 2012. I no longer worry about my messages never getting to the medical staff, and the turnaround is generally about a day, maximum.
I’ve usually been able to get an appointment within a week for issues outside routine checkups, and medical staff has assisted me several times via phone and the messaging portal on the website, which is comforting if I can’t get in for an office visit. I don’t ever feel rushed or disregarded.
Angie, the referral specialist, is extremely efficient. I recently changed insurance plans and while the carrier made it a huge pain to set everything up, she was on top of it.
I know the healthcare industry is riddled with problems and scandal, but I feel that I’ve found my small oasis at Associated Internal Medicine.

I don’t generally write vindictive negative reviews (see my other reviews) but this business deserves an exception. My husband and I were both patients of this big box medical practice. Too many doctors (my husband had three doctors leave in the past 10 years) and not enough care. In short: These people JUST. DON’T. CARE. I left 5 years ago, fed up with never being able to talk to a human being without spending 20 minutes on the phone, and never being able to get a same day or even same week appointment with my doctor when I was acutely ill and needed to come in. I saw Dr. Tim, who was often condescending, did not listen, and finally misdiagnosed a broken leg and sent me to physical therapy (without an xray!) where they pushed and pulled on it, making my pain worse. Last straw. My husband stayed longer because he has more complicated medical conditions, but is also finally done with them. Of the 4 doctors he had in 10 years, 2 were good, but moved on after a short time (to Kaiser.) Every time he visited AIM he came home with more prescriptions, and when he had a bad reaction to one, it took the P.A. no less than 3 days to return his call. When his last doctor left the practice and we called after an emergency room visit and overnight hospital stay over a holiday weekend, we were told that his new doctor (the one they assigned to us, as an existing patient of the practice) could not see him FOR TWO MONTHS, and that even the physician’s assistant could not see him for a week. When I expressed (politely) my frustration with this, the P.A. basically told me what a favor she was doing to return my call and offered to squeeze him with herself in at one time late this week. We decided to find a smaller practice, where we can talk to the same person for more than a year or two. And yes, as new patients we were able to schedule an appointment at our new doctor’s office the NEXT BUSINESS DAY! Does this contrast convey the complete lack of access and of sense of immediacy, and just general non-​caring that this practice offers even its established patients??? Gabriel, who answered my call in the «call center» — no receptionist! a call center! — was very polite and made a real effort to get us seen in the office, so he deserves a positive mention and a raise. But there is no follow through from the doctors here, and no real concern for their patients. It is sad that many smaller practices seem to be folding up due to healthcare changes and legislation, so in the end it feels like Kaiser or a giant impersonal big box practice are the only choices. But it’s just not worth it at this practice. It will take you so long to make your first appointment that it should be a sign of things to come, which don’t get better once you are an established patient. Look elsewhere, patient be warned!

Well I tried to make an appointment numerous times. They NEVER pick up the phone and like a dummy I waited over 30 minutes on hold then finally gave up. This is such a red flag when a medical group doesn’t answer their phone. I probably dodged a bullet.

Avoid, avoid, avoid! The staff are completely incompetent. I went there for years, although I didn’t go often (since I’d rather go directly to a specialist). I basically went for a sore throat or to get immunizations. A couple of weeks ago I went to an appointment with Katy Young-​Lee. She was running late and I had to leave to go to another medical appointment. Apparently it really pissed her off that I couldn’t t sit around and wait for her to be available, because I just received a letter that I am no longer welcome in that office. It was easy to find a doctor (with better reviews and credentials) elsewhere, but what happened there is still pretty appalling. I called the office manager to complain and her response was «our doctors have as much right to pick and choose their patients as you have to choose your sensitivity level to their communications.» Okay then. LOL, she had already misdiagnosed me twice and sucked at referrals, so she was no prize anyway. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere but this place. Private message me for more details or to find out about the EXCELLENT doctor I found to replace that nightmare.

I’ve been going here for years and they still seem to be trying to get as much money as they can out of me, whenever they can.
I needed a couple routine vaccinations, like a flu shot, for some volunteer work, and the staff told me I could just come in without an appointment and get them.
I went in, told them why I was there, soon they called me in, and Dr. Kim, the physician I’ve been seeing for years, was there. Even though he knew why I was there, he started asking me a variety of questions about my health history, mostly just going over things he had on his computer screen that we’d talked about many times in the past. I thought this was strange and unrelated to the vaccinations but didn’t think much of it.
A couple weeks later, I got a few-​hundred dollar bill for a ‘consultation’ with Dr. Kim. When I called the help line to ask what it was about, they listed health issues from appointments that I had had years ago (completely unrelated to the routine vaccinations). I’ve had to go through a formal process to try to challenge the charges.
Additionally, the vaccinations were several times more expensive than equivalent ones widely available at chain pharmacies. When I asked why no one had mentioned that they were charging so much more before I committed to paying, they said it was because it was a business and they were trying to make money.
Great to feel like your doctor’s looking out for your best interest, eh?

went to dr. grace eng for thyroid condition. despite symptom that clearly showed hashimotos and prior history that demonstrated thyroid condition, she told me my numbers were in range and that i did not have a thyroid condition. i was desperate for help, with symptoms that completely impaired my quality of life. she told me there was nothing she could do for me. months later, with worsening symptoms, i made a visit to two other endocrinologists — the both confirmed my antibodies were elevated and that i had hashimotos. clearly, i think there is something very wrong with dr. eng and her evaluations.

I saw Dr. Elaine Wong in 2014. The actual visit was ok, but the incompetence of the office staff is mind boggling. They simply don’t answer phone calls and emails get dropped or answered with weeks of delay. I repeatedly raised the issue with Dr Wong, but she was not willing to fix it.
If you value your time stay away from this office.

My mother went to see Dr Elaine Wong for diabetes. And she has been saying good things about her. She is an excellent doctor and very attentive.
She has a lot of patience to explain very detail to her even she is 82 years old. She doesn’t like other doctors treat patient like in assembly line.
And let me added that my mother is extremely picky, and it is her 2^nd doctor she have given 5stars in US. So I know Dr. Wong is actually good doctor. And she speaks Cantonese and Mandarin also.

Ah yes, I had a rocky beginning with this medical group but they’ve managed to turn it all around. I finally met Dr. Marci Gottleib and she is amazing. Dr. Gottlieb is very professional, personable and she listens to what your concerns are. Dr. Korn, my last Dr. at Kaiser was about as warm as an ice cube and gave no input to any of my requests or concerns.
I’m so excited to have her as my personal Dr. and she has me lined up for preventative healthcare and I already feel healthier having her in my corner!
Thank you Dr. Marci Gottleib my fiancé Anthony and I look forward to being your patients!
Sincerely,
KK Y

I was referred to this practice by my GP to see an endocrinologist, Dr. Tsai, for hormone replacement therapy following an oopherectomy as part of breast cancer treatment. First, they didn’t bother to return my phone call when I tried to make an appointment. A week later I called a second time and they finally got back to me. They booked an appointment two months in the future with Dr. Tsai, which is a ridiculous delay in the first place, but I took the appointment.
Today is the day of the appointment and they just called to tell me that she doesn’t do hormone replacement therapy. Nobody in their practice does. So why the hell did they book an appointment for me in the first place? Now I have to start all over.
Completely unprofessional practice. I can’t say anything about Dr. Tsai herself, because I never met her, but I wouldn’t recommend anybody bothering to try.

I haven’t even seen a doctor here and I’m already so irritated and put off by the practice’s operations I’d rather cancel than go. But I made this appointment a month ago and don’t want to start over (yet) with another practice. I will after this appointment because no doctor can be good enough to make up for the utter bs dished out.
No one answers the phone, routed through vm to leave a message to make an a appt. told doctor is full and not taking new appt, directed to another who is new to the practice (and needs patients). Make appt. get another call saying she’s going to be out of town that day and for two weeks. I lose my appt and finally connect to make another that is now six weeks later. Huge packet of papers to full out and today I get another call from a random agency to verify my insurance. WTF.
It is a practice that thrives on bureaucracy.

Starting off on a bad foot. I called to become a new patient and they took five days to respond to my message. It was not even an option for a new patient to speak to an actual person (I tried and was on hold for 20 minutes only to then be told by the person who answered that I had to leave a message). When they did call me back (five days later!), I was told that the doctor I wanted to see could not be seen for five months, so I agreed to see another doctor who could see me in just over 2 weeks. A week before the appointment, I receive a phone call telling me the doctor will no longer be available the first week of May and that the next available appointment will be May 26^th. To change an appointment within a week might be reasonable, but to ask me to wait a month just seems ridiculous. This does not bode well for the way their system works. I look forward to long waits and lots of disappointment.

I have been a patient for years, but luckily haven’t had to visit much.
I needed a prescription refilled, and I have been trying to call them for 2 days, but the phone has been busy. When I finally got through, I was on hold for 25 minutes with periodic messages telling me what number I was in line. When it was finally my turn, the phone rang, and I was suddenly disconnected.
Dealing with them has been the most frustrating experience I have ever had with any organization or business. That’s saying a lot.

I have been going here to see Dr. Gottlieb for about 5 years now, and I continue to be happy with both the practice and Dr. Gottlieb. She’s a non-​nonesense, smart, practical medical expert and has correctly diagnosed and provided treatment for a number of fairly serious things. The practitioners she refers me to have always been top notch as well. Dr. Gottlieb also treats my husband and several friends, all of whom love her.
I’ve generally had no problem getting an appointment, even last minute when I’m feeling particularly ill. Sometimes that means I have to see a PA or a nurse practitioner, but they’ve all been competent and friendly.

It is unbelievable bad practice. I first went there with Dr. Eisele Flint (an exceptional Doc that unfortunately left the practice 2 yrs ~1.5 yrs ago). Since then I was transferred automatically to Dr. Maia Hightower that in two yrs now I have seen her only ONCE! can you believe that? The appointments are being constantly rescheduled. I was not even notified last time till 1 hr earlier that it happened for me not to hear the message and I went there. not knowing the doctor had left! If I cancelled my apt 1 hr earlier I would have paid a fee! They dont! SO I insisted to see someone and the office manager got me 15 minutes with a Registered nurse! Iwas sick I saw a registered nurse. i went to ER my Doc was contacted nowhere to be found! Awfull practice I feels sorry for them they used to be a great practice whatever happened to their management took them down the drain. Lately they give yo u new paperwork to sign and if you dont read carefully you might be signing to be seen by Stanford students! Yes. so be careful.
I am never going back there. I just received ANOTHER scheduled appointment after all the complains I did last time and the office manager (Dona smtg) did not even have the discency to call me back herself… she put an assistant to call me back! Unbelievable unprofessional. She can go hide as much as she wants cause the place sucks. Wish I could be no star.
I dont like giving bad reviews but I hope some other people read this and not have to go what I went through the last two yrs. I am sure Dr Hightower does not even know who I am!

One star, need I explain more?
Go somewhere else, save your co-​pay.

don’t walk away… RUN…and RUN as fast as you can!!!
I have no idea how this group can still be in practice… they ought to be ashamed of themselves for calling themselves health care professionals. i’m surprised they have not be reprimanded by any insurances yet.
they need to be reported to all insurance company and IPAs — especially Hill Physicians Medical Group!!!
1. the wait in the waiting room — it’s ok to make you wait over 50 minutes for the doctor — but how dare you be late for your appointment.
2. they drop patients left and right for no reason even if you are an established patient.
3. they make you explain yourself and your history before they determine if they will accept you as a patient… isn’t that some type of HIPPA violation? why in the world are you taking patient’s information down if you have no intentions to accept them as patients? that is way too much private information to be handing over to you!
4. and if you have PPO insurance — they still make you obtain a referral. there is no need for a referral for a PPO… you are primary care physicians — not specialists!!!
5. oh don’t let me tell you about disagreeing with the doctor or asking too many questions — they will deem you as problem patients and drop you without an explanation…
like i said — «YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES! WHY DID YOU TAKE A OATH TO BE A DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE NO GOOD INTENTIONS!!! SHAME ON YOU — SHAME ON YOU — SHAME ON YOU!!!»
sorry for such a blistering harsh review… nothing gets my blood more boiling than seeing Doctors and Doctors’ offices mistreating patient!

I generally couldn’t get an appointment for months at a time with my doctor. Once, after four months of waiting for a physical, the office informed me that my doctor would be out of town the week of our appointment, and would see me in another three months. I said no thanks, and switched to Kaiser. Never been happier. Extremely easy to get an appointment, very responsive doctor.
Epilogue: A few months later I got a note that my AIMMG doctor had moved away, and if I wanted my chart I could pay $ 100. Then they tried to bill my insurance for an appointment that had already been paid 6 months previous. If AIMMG can’t get these basic things right, how can you trust them with your health?