Noel TD Chiu M.D.

I was nervous about seeing Dr. Chiu after reading the reviews, but I was riding on the hopeful helpful sound of the receptionist’s voice when I called to make my appointment, earlier that day. Was called to the back under 10 minutes, and waited for Dr. Chiu for maybe 20 minutes. I can’t be sure on how long my husband and I waited as I was hungry and all things go out the window at that point haha. When the Dr. entered the room, I was instantly relieved! He made eye contact and smiled, shook our hands and greeted us and he went to work right away in asking what the issues were. Yes, I do wish the doctor had looked at my skin more thoroughly, but I also don’t know much about his job as he is my first dermatologist. I am naïve when it comes to moles, freckles, any skin condition; all I know is that I suffer from acne, and my Grandmother has had a small cancerous mole removed. So Dr. Chiu was in and out fairly quickly, but not too rushed as he did answer any questions I had and explained that there weren’t any moles on my shoulders or back that he needed to examine, as I only have freckles. He wrote a prescription and described how I needed to use it and set up a time frame for another appointment, he said his goodbye and then he left the room. His assistant went over a few other things with me at which time I asked if the Dr. was coming back in the room because I thought things were supposed to be more thorough, when he looked at my back and shoulders. I showed her a mole on my stomach and a spot on the side of my face and she said one might show cause for concern in the future and that a different doctor, that I would see next visit, could go over things further. The doctor entered back into the room with his assistant as my husband and I were getting ready to exit the room, and said he heard that I had some concerns. He checked my mole and talked with me some more and then we left. Again, yes I would have been a little bit more comfortable if he had spent more time with me but I don’t feel that the previous reviews are accurate at all. He was very nice and professional and met my needs. Even though my requirements were very little of him this round, I am very certain that I will continue to use Dr. Chiu as my dermatologist. I am a 23 year old female that suffers from hormonal acne and the remnants of steroidal acne from prednisone. I am a sufferer of Ulcerative Colitis, anemia, and asthma; I am a wife and a mother who is finally gaining some confidence in having clearer skin.

My experience has been very good. I have not experienced any of the problems posted by other reviewers. I recommend Dr. Chiu.

Like the previous review, I too wish I could give zero stars. I am a registered nurse and am pretty good at advocating for myself. Unfortunately, after almost a year of multiple useless visits, I am now looking for another dermatologist who will actually do more than bill my insurance. I have what should be a simple problem. Itchy Skin discoloration that is spreading across my back and down both arms.
Visit #1…try this steroidal cream and see me again in 3 months. If it’s not improved we will BIOPSY it. The small 3oz bottle meant to cover both arms only lasted 1 month. His response to my refill request was to come back for an office visit to get a refill. I am too busy with a full time job to come out my way for a refill. I got my primary care doc to refill it twice. The cream didn’t work. I go back to see him.
Visit #2… A nurse practitioner saw me instead. She tells me that my skin discoloration is a result of the inflammation of the rash. I tell her my skin looks EXACTLY the same as it did on the day I noticed it. There was no redness or inflammation whatsoever. She just assumed or imagined what it may have looked like. I demand to see Dr. Chiu. He comes in and agrees that it looks the same. They both tell me to use a calming lotion sold over the counter for 6 weeks then come back for a BIOPSY.
Visit #3…biopsy time right? Wrong! I call to make the appointment and I am told that I need to be seen and the doctor will decide if a biopsy is needed. I tell the receptionist that the Dr. And I have already discussed he plan. The nurse practitioner chimes in and says that I need to wait until he inflammation returns for a biopsy. What inflammation? Here we are again back to this inflammation that has never happened. I ask to leave a message with Dr. Chiu and am told I cannot email or leave a message and that I need to come in and talk to him. I tell the office staff that I’m not being listened to and I don’t want to keep coming back to be looked at. It should not take 4 visits just to get a skin scraping or a biopsy. Skin scraping can be done in the office and looked at under a microscope with little time and effort. It can rule out or confirm some pretty basic skin conditions. That should be first line of business. Find out what you’re treating then treat it right? Instead he wants me to keep coming back and he keeps billing my insurance. The medical assistant calls me back and pulls my chart and says that on my last visit your skin was clear and was looking good. I tell her she’s mistaken and nothing has changed in fact it is spreading. I tell her I’ll politely take my medical records to another doctor. Well to get medical records I have to go in person to sign a form that cannot be emailed. Fax or in person. I have no fax machine.
As a nurse I would advise: if a doctor will not accept messages or emails from a patient and insists on office visits to communicate, even in instances of patient complaints, don’t bother with that doctor. Dr. Chiu in my opinion is like the great mysterious OZ, hiding behind his office staff unwilling to communicate with patients unless he can bill the insurance.
So here I am almost a year later with the same problem looking for another dermatologist. The office staff is flippant and somewhat rude and definitely sarcastic. The medical assistant is as good as it gets. Since I cannot leave a message for the doctor I will just direct him to my review on Unilocal.I also plan to file a complaint.

I’ve seen Dr Chiu 3 times and each time had the same experience. There is a ridiculously long wait time. I’ve waited 45 minutes before being called in only to be seen for 5 minutes. All the visits are rushed and after waiting that long, you’d at least expect an apology. Nothing. I used to go to Dr Beer in Brentwood but since I changed insurance, he’s the only one on my network.
On my last visit, he gave me a new prescription and after picking it up at Safeway, I realized it’s the exact same as the old one which he was supposed to switch. I’ve called the office twice, front desk tells me his nurse assistant will call. Safeway even contacted them to clarify but still no return call from Chiu’s office. I am very frustrated as I have to go in again and God knows how long I have to wait for this time. I’m done with them and will be going back to Dr Beer.
I’ll advice avoid this practice unless you absolutely must.

I was nervous after reading the Unilocal reviews, but a friend had recommended Dr. Chiu and I am glad she did! Dr. Chiu was funny, direct and thorough. Since my visit, I learned two other of my friends are his patients as well! This is one time I am glad I didn’t cancel my appointment after reading some bad Unilocal reviews. Too bad more of us with good experiences don’t take the time to give positive reviews.

I wish I could select zero stars! Dr. Chiu is rude and demeaning and only in his business for a buck! About a month ago I canceled a return visit because my issue had cleared up. I did not feel it was necessary for me to have to pay to have him tell me everything was fine. My son recently had a return visit for his acne. They called me earlier that day to schedule me to come in as well for my return visit. The office folks were pretty persistent and I thought I would have him take a look at a separate issue anyway so I said yes. After about a 45 minute wait, Dr Chiu came in the room with a really bad attitude. He took a look at my son first. He berated him for not using his medicine, mind you, my son’s face looks really clear. My son has been taught to be respectful to adults so he did not say anything. In fact, he has been using his medicine regularly. My son had a wart he needed to have frozen. «There will be a charge for that…» No surprise. He then went on to say that I needed to sign a contract stating that I would bring my son back in to the office every 3 months for my son’s acne. This blew me away! I have never heard of such a thing! This is for cosmetic purposes! Don’t I get to decide when I need to bring my son in? When It was my turn, he made me feel like I was an idiot. He was going to do a biopsy on a spot that I should have recognized was a problem! «There is going to be a charge for that. I am going to numb this area. While we are waiting for the numbing medicine to set in, go ahead and get her credit card to process the fee…» He left the room. When he came back about 5 minutes later I told him how insulted I was and that we would not be doing the procedure and I would be going to another dermatologist. He was a complete A$$. I wish I would have read the reviews on Unilocal before going to him.

Should be zero stars!
Money hungry non-​people person.
Get a second opinion!!! My new dermatologist actually looked out for me more genuinely and saved me hundreds from unnecessary work.
Will never see this dr again!
Also highly unprofessional that you get solicitation for his dentist wife while waiting!