Philip Bretsky, MD, PhD

Such a well-​run office. Great for busy professionals. I’ve been a patient there less than a year and have already learned a lot.
They’ve thought through what would make a better patient experience overall and put those things in place.
Two examples: They put your credit card on file and will automatically bill your card if your balance due after insurance is under $ 100. No more having to stop and send in a $ 16 or $ 32 check. It’s good for them for efficiency, but it’s also good for me to have it done for me. I see an earlier post that it is without notice, but that’s not true, you sign an agreement as a new patient authorizing this and providing your card number.
Second, for $ 30 you can get your labwork done right there in the office and not have to burn another hour and appointment at a lab.
I have been able to get in when needed right away, which is greatly appreciated.
Most importantly, he is a smart and caring doctor who takes your concerns into account, always has a positive next step to take, and encourages your good health with real solutions, not platitudes.

Dr. Bretsky is an INVALUABLE partner in my health and wellness. He’s been my Primary Care Provider for over 10 years, and I don’t have enough good things to say about him. For anyone living in LA, the fact that I drive from Hollywood to Santa Monica to see him should speak volumes.
I often hear horror stories about physicians who treat patients in a cookie cutter fashion, spending little time and not really listening to their concerns. Dr. Bretsky is the opposite of that model. I never feel rushed by him during a visit. He takes all the time needed to thoroughly assess and explain whatever issue is being addressed, answer any and all questions, and present options. His demeanor is unfailingly bright, warm and positive. He employs state-​of-​the-​art technology in his practice and is at the leading age of current vaccination and treatment protocols. When necessary, he refers to the best specialists in LA. He has been responsive and readily available to communicate via email and phone during medical emergencies I’ve experienced both in and out of the country. During an unexpected hospitalization in the spring of 2015 he was in communication and constantly abreast of my progress – a tremendous support during a very stressful experience.
I find the team in his office – front desk, nurses, and especially his PA Jenna – to be equally warm and professional. My only hesitation in writing this review is that it might make it harder for me to book an appointment. That said, given the current state of the health care industry, he is a rare find. I can’t recommend him more highly.

I have to update my review and express my gratitude for the years of excellent care and service Dr. Bretsky has given me, but today I walked into his office to find out he no longer takes my very good health insurance policy!
What a shock to show up for my appointment and find this out. Make sure you check with his office before switching policies as many physicians are no longer taking even PPO policies that normally you would think they take.
Sadly, I will have to make sure that I find a physician who will surely have a hard time holding a candle to this awesome family physician.
Bye bye from a long time patient and thank you!

Dr. Bretsky and his office décor are very nice but, there are several items that bother me about this practice.
First, before seeing the doctor, they make all their patients put a credit card on file and charge for any billing charges under $ 100 — without any notice.
Second, if they call your insurance company they charge you $ 15 per call. This really irks me because I’ve never experienced this kind of charge. The front office staff at all other doctor’s offices that I’ve been to deal with insurance and billing as a part of their job. Why are we expected to pay extra money at this practice for a service that has always been included at other practices?
Third, they quote 7 – 10 business days to get lab results back. I’ve always received a call from my previous doctors about test results in 3 – 4 days so this seemed a bit ridiculous to me.
Lastly, they don’t validate parking so you end up paying $ 10+ for a quick doctor’s visit. I wouldn’t mind paying for parking as much if the above mentioned problems didn’t exist, but they do.
My take from my visit is that while the doctor is very nice, the service is sub par compared to other practices.

I have been going to Dr. Bretsky for over 7 years and he and his staff are wonderful. They can provide all necessary services and or referrals to specialists in the area that they know and trust.

I believe it is extremely important to have a strong relationship with your Primary Care Physician, and it only took me one attempt to find a new Doc when I moved to LA 8 years ago. When I go in for my annual physical, it’s not just «hi, how ya doin… deep breath… turn your head, cough… ok see ya next time» with Dr. Bretsky. He actually takes the time to ask questions about my health and personal life — he makes it a point to get to know me. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything, and I know my health is in great hands with Dr. Bretsky.

I have been a patient of Dr. Bretsky for many years. He and his PA, Jennafer Piccolo, are kind, helpful, and thorough. They are very accessible and responsive to the patient’s needs. I recently had major abdominal surgery at Saint John’s and Dr. Bretsky came to visit and check up on me daily. He is always cheerful and encouraging and certainly helped me through a very challenging time. His office staff are on the ball. Particularly helpful is the office manager, Marian, who is very friendly and empathetic. When you are going through a difficult time health-​wise it is a blessing to have these folks in your corner.
First rate patient-​centered primary care!

Let’s just say I decided to sign up for Unilocal just to write Dr. Bretsky a review. It is SERIOUSLY hard to find a good Doc in L.A. and I have been hesitant about even seeing a primary care doc since I moved here 7 years ago… YES…I said 7 years ago. That means, I haven’t been to a doc in 7 years. I was very reluctant because I’ve heard how impersonal some Doc’s in LA can be. Meeting with Dr. Bretsky FAR exceeded my expectations. He took his time, got to know me and my fiancée while we were in the office, and was detailed with even just my routine physical. His office staff is friendly, and they actually pick up the phone when you call (as dumb as that sounds — I have waited on hold 45 minutes just to book an appt at some places in LA). His nurse got back to me a little over a week with all my test results. She took her time on the phone — I never felt rushed — or that she had a list of other people to call and had to go. She allowed me to ask any questions I had about the results before we hung up. Dr. Bretsky was super cool too — basically saying he’s accessible 7 days a week by phone. In case of emergency we can definitely call whenever/​on weekends/​at any time. Not that I would take advantage of this, but the fact that he offered just made him so much more legit in my eyes. He was easy going, super chill, never made me worry about any issues I was having. I am so glad to say that after 7 years in LA, I FINALLY HAVE A PRIMARE CARE DOC that I feel good about. And the best part is, it’s blocks away from my home. Thank you Dr. Bretsky!!!

Well, sorry to have to do this. I went looking for a new doctor on my insurance plan (is this an example of you get what you pay for?) and had my blood drawn in the office — you pay extra for this by the way. No one called with the results. I had to call 6 weeks later and asked to have the doctor call on my home phone. Nope! A nurse called on my cell to «give me the results.» No apology and no doc. Back the drawing board. Is there a doctor out there on my insurance — any insurance — that is thorough, cares and intelligent?

I have been going to Dr. Bretsky for over 3 years since I first moved to LA. He genuinely cares for his patients and is such a knowledgeable doctor. What I really like about his practice is that he tries to get to the root of your issue and only prescribes what is really needed. I’ve had certain doctors (though with good intention) sometimes overdiagnose symptoms and prescribe unnecessary medicine, which is pretty frustrating and can confuse patients. Dr. Bretsky is the opposite! He really listens and takes a careful route on a course of treatment (all the while taking the time to explain to you what is going on). Speaking from my own experience, almost every time, my symptoms were solved. I really trust Dr. Bretsky and his practice. His staff is pretty friendly and helpful as well.

Dr. Bretsky and his staff are AMAZING!
I have been a patient of Dr. Bretsky for the past 6 years and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. He is the most thorough doctor that I have ever been to and he really takes the time to listen to you concerns. Working for an orthopedic surgeon myself for many years, I know how busy doctors and their staff can be. Dr. Bretsky and his staff are an exception. From the minute I walk in to the minute I walk out, I never feel like just another patient and I am never rushed. I am always able to get an appointment and I always have my messages returned to me in a timely fashion.
I will always recommend Dr. Bretsky to my friends, family, and patient’s that I encounter at work.

Been looking for a new GP after moving back to the area… I asked my old pediatrician (Dr. Bretzsky is her brother-​in-​law) for a referral, and she referred me here.
I just called his office to check if they accept my insurance, and was told by a very rude receptionist that she will give me the Tax-​ID number and I would have to check and call back if they do. After asking why they don’t check that on behalf of their patients or why they don’t know if they accept my insurance company, she said, «that’s just the way it is.»
As someone who has Crohn’s disease, I can attest that is not the way it is, and I don’t think it should ever be like that. I will take my business somewhere else. As much as I’d love to trust my pediatrician from a while ago, I will not be going through tax-​ID shenanigans when I believe it should be the responsibility of the office to know whether or not they can accept me. Very off-​putting first experience/​initial contact, which I don’t like to say because I know that an office staff is not always a reflection of a doctor’s care, but I guess sometimes «that’s just the way it is» in this industry.

Booked through Zocdoc and experience with the process was bad. You can blame it on Zocdoc or the office but here is what happened. Booked the appointment about a 4 days before the appt date. They didn’t call to confirm until the day before and cancelled even though I did leave a message that same night. I was explained that their calendars were not synced up, which to me is something they should have managed. The appointment availability times on the site did seem like it did sync. Anyways, will be booking an appointment elsewhere as today was my day off.

Dr. Bretsky is the coolest! He was super nice and very helpful in helping me figure out grad school vaccinations. I also had a physical done and he was very thorough and ensured that all my concerns and questions were addressed. Honestly one of the best doctors I have ever seen, and trust me I have seen quite a few. His nurse Karen was also super sweet and made me feel very comfortable. She is great! The staff also very nice. Totally recommend this place!

This office is awesome!
I have been there for a little less than a year, for a physical, flu shot, and for a slew of vaccines and blood testing I had to get done for grad school.
The front desk is very helpful and attentive as is Dr. Bretsky and his PA Jennafer Piccolo. I saw Jennafer most recently for my grad school prep and she went the extra mile to make sure I got everything done and in the time frame I did.
I realize I can’t speak as much to going in for specific illnesses as all of my treatment thus far has been preventative, but I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to go for other reasons! They always had availability, and were flexible if I needed to switch my appointment time the day of. Any calls I made were returned within 24 hours.

Always have available appointments. The PA, Jenna, is so sweet and helpful. A great doctor’s office if you’re looking for one in Santa Monica!

Absolutely terrible experience with this doctor and practice. Dr Bretsky refuses to speak to patients for follow-​ups — even with routine test results! — on the phone, his staff insist you make make an appointment to go in. You then get suckered for a full appointment charge when he or his assistant spend 2 minutes basically giving you the all clear.
They have made numerous billing errors that the arrogant and rude office staff point blank refuse to acknowledge. The office manager, who I believe is his wife, is the most unpleasant person I have ever spoken to. Dr Bretsky himself is nice enough, but his staff? Terrible.
To top it all off, they office insists that you leave a credit card on file before they will accept you as a patient. They will then charge random amounts to your card, without consulting you first, and then refuse to give you a breakdown of what you were charged for. This is with high-​level, in-​network insurance! I’m certain I’ve been charged for services I never had. Stay well, well away!

I love this doctor and group. I had a horrible muscle spasm in my neck and they fit me in and were very attentive to fix the problem. The doctors and nurses are great, very friendly.
Only down side is that there is limited parking on the street. In the early AM its easy, but toward the afternoon it gets tough.

I’ve been coming to Dr. Bretsky’s office for quite a while, and I’ve been very happy with all their services and personnel. I’ve made them my primary care doctor for the following reasons:
1. Front desk is very speedy on finding me a spot, even if it is same day service, if there’s any emergency or concern on my end.
2. I never have to wait more than 5 min. To be helped
3. I always get billed correctly
4. Front desk is also always very speedy on forwarding my info to other specialists.
5. Both Dr. Bretsky and Jennafer Piccolo, Dr. Bretsky’s Physician’s Assistant, are very knowledgeable and caring.
6. Karen, and the rest of the staff are also amazing.
I like an office that welcomes me with a big smile, gets thing done on time, and are able to work on a speedy manner with my other doctors and specialists. That’s why I keep coming back. Oh, not to mention how helpful they’ve been with my insurance and catching any issues with it. Big plus for that.

In December I went in to get some vaccines because I was going out of the country. Never met Dr Bretsky, just his physicians assistant who was nice, but seemed a bit inexperienced in this department.
Most importantly the ladies who are doing the insurance billing are not very bright. They sent me a bill, because they said my insurance covered the vaccine but not the visit, which makes no sense. Talked to my insurance turns out they did not submit it correctly. Tried to bill for more than what they did. Could be a great doctor, but make sure you know what they are billing for.