Norcal Urology Medical Group

I visited with Dr. Karol in San Ramon because of ongoing bladder infections and other concerns resulting from the damage of a prior surgery done 20 years ago, childbirth and menopause. I saw him for over a year, and had recurrent infections that never seemed to end. He perscribed a variety of antibiotics, and no other treatment for this problem, All the while I objected to taking antibiotics constantly, and actually had developed a resistance to most. I asked for other options, and was provided with no real solutions.
I complained to my GP, and she said that I should talk to this other doctor that was a Gyno-​Urologist in Oakland. Low and behold, appartently the use of vaginal hormonal creams and physical therapy (pelvic floor PT) were options that could limit the number of infections and provide me with some relief from my other bladder issues. I now have some hope. The vaginal cream has seemed to help so far, and I am just beginning the physical therapy. I am looking forward to lasting improvement. I know that at the very least I may not need to endanger myself by taking antibiotics constantly.
Also, apparently this kind physical thertapy can actually be helpful to both men and women with bladder issues.
Is this treatment common knowledge? I have a friend who belongs to Kaiser, and she was aware of the hormonal treatments for recurrent bladder inections in women. In my opinion ongoing use of antibiotics without investigating other alternatives can be dangerous.

I wished I had looked at these reviews before going to them. Of course it was a referral by my primary Doctor and the Urologist I was referred to I liked. The office and support staff that is another issue. They call and cancel and appointment but I was scurrilous make the reschedule day but said I would callback in a couple of hours and try to make it happen. Which I did and the office had no idea and when o asked what the new scheduled time was. They had no answer. So I suggested they find out and call me back. I never heard from them for a week.
Then they sent my test samples to a lab outside my network and I received a $ 800 bill that my insurance would cover because it was outside their network. I didn’t pick the lab the office did.
Here’s what I would. tell you I wouldn’t turn around and walk away. I would turn around and run

Had a terrible time with Golden Gate Urology. Transferred to Dr. Wen. SO MUCH better! Very happy with the care we’ve received there.

I had my first appointment with Dr. Wen. He was awesome. Pleasant, concerned, knowledgeable. Inspired confidence. The staff was very helpful, but the whole office is a bit harried. Busy, but I got right in, even bening a half hour late, stuck on the 880!

The doctor was nice but seemed in a hurry.
Office staff needs work. They’re unorganized. Every time i call i get put to voicemail. When i do get a hold of someone, it takes them putting me on hold 2 or 3 times before they figure out what’s going on. Lack of communication skills.
When i didn’t understand a certain procedure, the office staff got impatient.
And nodody smiles.

This is in regards to their other location in San Ramon. The Doctor was very thorough and ordered several tests. The problem was with post procedure, I developed a massive urinary infection which is extremely painful. Make sure you have enough antibiotics, which they should provide at the office. It’s difficult to get appointments so plan ahead. I agree with Tim G., the office staff leaves much to be desired. They must float between offices.

I would have to agree with the organization of the front office. Having to coordinate multiple imaging scans at different location is taxing and requires a fair amount of time management skills. I have had trouble with information received for appointments and what to do prior to imaging. I am seeking a second opinion with UCSF or Stanford where multiple appointments can be done in one visit.

After a referral to Norcal Urology from my doctor, I called to set up an appointment and talk in advance about what the visit would entail. The receptionist informed me that Dr. Kindrachuk does not call new patients on the phone until after they have come to the office and completed a new patient visit. I arrived at the office a few minutes early, as requested, filled out the forms. The wait was brief. I asked in advance about what the fees for the visit would be, and was given a large range: between $ 130 and $ 350. Dr. Kindrachuk showed up, asked minimal questions, talked very quickly and seemingly by rote, repeated an exam I had already been given by my referring doctor, questioned my decision to self pay (I have a high deductible) rather than provide a copy of my insurance card, recommended thousands of dollars of further tests, and showed me the door. Total time spend: perhaps 15 minutes. Total cost: $ 350. If in fact my need for these test was so obvious, then Norcal Urology ought to have been willing to talk to me about them for a few minutes on the phone, based on the test results my doctor had already sent to their office. If the need for tests was not so obvious, Dr. Kindrachuk ought to have given the situation more than a minute or two of thought. To bill $ 350 for this brief consultation and a repeat of tests already done struck me as an example of what’s wrong with how medicine is practiced today.
I stopped back into my regular doctor’s office, and scheduled a follow up visit with him to review the test recommendations Dr. Kindrachuk had made, and rationally discuss a strategy. Dr. Kindrachuk has excellent medical training and may be a trustworthy surgeon, but Norcal’s style of medical practice is outdated.