Scripps Coastal Medical Center Hillcrest

It only gets worse and worse here. Waited a week to find out that my former doctor left. Then the new physician will not refill the prescription. Just amazing. Stay far away from this train wreck.

Do NOT go to Dr. Karamandi. It has been over 6 weeks and my doctor has still not received the results of a test I took at his office.

3^rd time is the charm. Dr. Schlocker is my 3^rd Dr in a year. I’ve been trying to find a PCP and I finally found one that’s right for me.
I was seen immediately, the Dr listened and acted immediately.
I knew eventually I’d find the right person eventually

I called them to make an appointment as a new patient, which the girl then asks me if I am in their system. Well I am a new patient, so NO?! She then says «one moment», which usually means I am being redirected or put on hold. It rings another line, which ends up being a directory which I have to enter an extension for the party I am trying to reach. How the heck am I supposed to know this info if I have never even been to or talked to someone who works there before?! The only people in the medical care industry that actually care and do real work, are nurses. Doctors and office admins couldn’t give a.

The doctor is fantastic, absolutely recommend. Would have given 5 stars, but the lab reports never came so called office twice, but still, did not come in the mail. Called yet again, told no record of previous calls, will send results. Always follow up with the front desk, as, having worked in a doctor’s office beginning at age 13 (father’s), and past experiences, have let me learn that navigating the front line of the office workers can be challenging — do not give up, and always let the doctor know of problems when you next see him/​her.

We’ve been going here for many years. They have some good doctors, especially Dr. Gorton in pediatrics. Parking us convenient. Sometimes a long wait, which is why didn’t give 5 stars.

I visited Dr. Schlocker at Scripps Coastal Medical Center for 5+ years and my new insurance does not allow me to continue care there (i am so bummed!)
There is a parking garage that does get pretty crowded but I’ve always been able to find a spot. They validate parking inside (after your appointment), so don’t forget to ask!
The girls I’ve encountered at the front desk have always been friendly and assertive, making the check-​in process easy & painless! The waiting room is clean, seldom crowded, and I have only had to wait past my scheduled appointment time once. That’s unheard of for a doctor’s office.
Every nurse I have encountered has been incredibly sweet and understanding. The exam rooms are clean and cool. Unfortunately, there are a few awful doctors that work there (who’s names I cannot remember), but knowing who to see and sticking with your primary is key.
Dr Schlocker has been the most accommodating and reasonable doctor I have ever had. She listens to my concerns, knows what questions to ask in return, ensures that all of my needs are met before the end of the appointment, and never let’s me leave without making sure I am totally taken care of. I have referred many friends directly to her and I hope to one day be back in that office for my medical care.
The lab upstairs can have a bit of a wait sometimes. I have encountered some terrible and exceptional customer service up there, but luckily it wasn’t a place I had to visit regularly. The x-​ray technicians and room are both exceptional as well.

Dr. Stacy Schlocker has been my primary care physician for the past 8 years. After my last visit with her this week, I decided I was overdue in posting my positive review. Dr. Schlocker is very intelligent and well educated regarding the latest medical treatments. She is a caring, positive, empathetic physician, who is also a good listener and very supportive in providing referrals (I have an HMO plan, so she plays an essential role). Also she promptly responds to any messages/​questions I submit on MyScripps website. Thank you, Dr. Schlocker, for your outstanding care!

Parking is a bit weird. It’s underground and NOT the parking lot across the street that belongs to Scripps Mercy (which is totally a different medical center). I was able to enter from the Washington St side where there was a sign for «medical parking.»
Overall my experience here was positive. Quick in and out. Facility was clean. Dr Pogorelov was direct, knowledgeable, and quickly and clearly addressed all of my concerns.

I’ve been going here for years, primarily to Dr. Mittendorf. Although I never had any real complaints, I was never very satisfied either. You know people that don’t exactly talk down to you, but by the time the conversation is over have made you feel like you’ve asked dumb questions? That’s how I would feel repeatedly after each visit.
The most recent time I visited him I had hurt my knee. I was limping and it was making popping sounds. He brushed over it saying I should avoid taking stairs and should be fine in two weeks. It ended up being patellar tendonitis so he was wrong, but whatever, that’s not what bothered me. It’s what happened next. Upon looking at my chart, he noticed my blood pressure was a little high. I explained I have White Coat Syndrome. You can stick a shot in me, cut me open, whatever it’s fine. But if I get my blood pressure taken, then for whatever reason, my body has a response I can’t control and it goes up. I’m healthy, eat well and exercise. I’ve also gotten it taken in another setting and I know it’s low. But he was just fixated on this. He then said «Let’s play a game– I’m going to strap this on and I want you to try to get it as high as you can.» I was honestly thinking WTF but just did it. He was even egging me on, saying things like «You can get it higher than that!» It ended up measuring 20 something points more than before. He said something like congratulations and then sent me home. The whole experience was weird. I had spent 5 minutes discussing my knee and 20 minutes trying to defend my blood pressure. That’s not quite what I had wanted. But it was looking at my medical notes when I got home that finally sent me over the edge. Under current health conditions it listed «Single time of elevated blood pressure» with the high number from his «game» next to it. No explanation. Such B.S. and very unprofessional. On any paperwork I have gotten going forward, it’s still listed. Ugh.
So why am I giving this place 4 stars? Well after I finally decided I was done with him, I switched to the greatest doctor I’ve ever had, Dr. Pogorelov. He is patient, understanding, truly listens and never makes me feel like something I say is stupid. He has also referred me to specialists including an awesome acupuncturist who is FINALLY healing me. Every time I leave Scripps Coastal I now feel calm and have a genuine action plan. I can’t say enough great things and the experience is truly night and day. It may have taken something ridiculous to switch, but I’m glad I did.

I have been going to this medical facility for about 8 years. My current doctor is Chris Holt and I really like him. He seems very knowledgeable and always seems to get the diagnosis right. I am surprised how often I call and can actually get in to see my primary care physician the same day. There have been a few times when I haven’t been able to but they always have another doctor available to see me. I have seen Dr. Churchill and I really like her too. There have been a few other doctors that I have not liked at all but I don’t think they are there any longer. One kept telling me my stomach pains were the flu even after several calls explaining my symptoms. Finally I went to Urgent Care and my appendix had burst! I don’t remember his name but he definitely needed to be fired.
The place is very convenient with an exit right off the 163. There is plenty of validated parking in the underground garage. It is also nice because they have a lab and an x-​ray facility right in the same building so you don’t have to travel out if you need those services. My only current complaint is that the doctors always seem kind of rushed when they are in the exam room with you, however I have to say that I have never had to wait a long time in the waiting room for my appointment which is probably because they are cognizant of their time with each patient.

Osvaldo Batista is a PA in this group, yet I am confident in placing as much, if not more, trust in his care and treatment as with his colleagues with higher academic training. Osvaldo is attentive, perceptive in his examination, and caring of the patient. He has excellent communication skills, and displays excellent bedside manner. I never feel rushed or a bother to him. He has more accurately diagnosed my ailments with greater accuracy than many MDs, so I am comfortable in placing myself and my loved ones in his care. I recommend Osvaldo Batista without reservation.

Unfortunately, I feel compelled to update my review and downgrade my review of this facility. Even before I checked into this facility for my foot surgery last month, they indicated that I must pay my $ 1,500 deductible upon arrival. On the day of the surgery, again, they stated I must pay the $ 1,500 deductible… which I did. I paid it from my employer-​provided Flexible Spending Account. ConnectYourCare, the administrator of my FSA, wanted documentation of the payment before they approved eligibility, which I promptly provided them: the copy of my receipt from Scripps Mercy Surgical Pavilion. ConnectYourCare now shows the $ 1,500 deductible as approved and paid.
To this day, Scripps Mercy cannot (or will not) tell me what happened to that deductible! I keep getting EOBs from my insurer, Anthem BCBS, but only $ 1.44 of that $ 1,500 appears to have been applied to my deductible. WHERE is the rest? Nobody is calling me back and in the meantime, BCBS won’t pay any of the claims until they get proof that my deductible was paid. In the meantime, I, the patient/​consumer, am on the hook for almost $ 50k in medical bills.
It’s too bad that Scripps Mercy is going to take the brunt of this dispute because of their billing department’s handling of my $ 1,500 deductible. Their level of patient care by medical staff was excellent… the level of patient care by billing staff was sub-​par.
Between the hack job of Anthem BCBS… and the inept handling of my deductible by Scripps Mercy… it is no wonder the consumer has so much contempt towards the medical and insurance fields.

I have been a patient of Dr. Pogorelov for over a year and a half. He has been the BEST doctor I have ever had. I cannot say enough good things about him. He truly cares about his patients and takes the time to diagnosis your illness. He even goes above and beyond to follow up to make sure you are recovering fully. If you are a new patient ask for him, you will not be disappointed.

One star due to this group not honoring its initial approval for my breast cancer surgery to be performed outside the Scripps system, which is now delaying treatment and surgery for my breast cancer by at least 4 weeks! I was just diagnosed with breast cancer. My wonderful PHP at this group recommended a surgeon outside the Scripps system and I was told this request was approved. Scripps facilitated my first appointment with that treatment team, who reviewed my biopsy results and provided information above and beyond what Scripps had. They also ordered blood work that revealed a medically important issue that needs treatment – which Scripps blood work never caught. I was scheduled for a breast MRI today, then another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy of sentinal nodes tomorrow, all with the outside group. However at the very last minute (5:30 pm yesterday,) I was notified Scripps had revoked authorization for these procedures with that group and is insisting I go through the Scripps system. The appointment Scripps has made for me is 2 weeks from now. Scripps has just delayed my breast cancer treatment by at least 4 weeks!!! I burst into tears. I’ve already developed relationships with the outside group treatment team and had been severely anxious ever since the diagnosis and especially this last week, while I was waiting for the last tests before surgery. Now Scripps is making me start back at Square One. This is terrible patient care – it’s not OK to bounce a cancer patient around like this. I’ve been a Scripps patient for 15 years, but after this unethical business practice, I will drop Scripps at the next open enrollment. I am filing a grievance with the State of California Managed Healthcare.

Experienced more long wait time for call being answered rather than no wait or short wait time.
Front desk staff friendly — usually short wait in reception area. Doctor keeps to scheduled time set by Scripps Coastal to see patient.
Many times my pharmacist has had difficulty with prescription renewals and I had as well when following up.
Delay with getting lab results even when using their lab and more so when not using their lab.
Other than the front desk staff there is no feeling of warmth and that anyone knows/​recognizes you. Feeling of your just one of many patients being seen on a given day.

It took almost a year running around and trying to get help. Finally Scripps People’s advocate (from their law department) reached out to me and helped sort out the billing issue. I had my Money refunded (which California Business Bureau — the collection agency for scripps just wanted to collect without checking if I had a real issue with billing or not) and insurance re-​billed correctly.
End of the day its good that things got sorted out for me. If you have a similar problem reach out to their Peoples advocate/​Law dept to get your genuine billing issue sorted out.
I Just hope that they bridge this gap with regards to their billing issues.
Thanks Scripps.
The 3 Stars are for Billing, I would give 4.5 Stars for the Doctors

This location has served me very well for the past 12 years. The facility is always clean and the appt staff are always kind and helpful. Parking is underground and you get free parking validation for the first hour. If your looking for a great primary doctor, see Dr. Lohdi, she’s the best!

I am a new patient at this clinic thanks to my insurance enrollment through Covered California. Doctor Pogorelov is my primary care physician and I could not be more pleased. I went to my first wellness appointment at this office with a bit of apprehension and nerves after not having been insured for almost 10 years. I was first greeted at the front desk by Gracie and Delilah with professionalism and warmth. All of my questions were answered with respect. I realized quickly that this same courtesy of service was shared by every face I encountered throughout the duration of my visit. I can tell that this office holds high regard for the patient and it is their culture.
Doctor Pogorelov gave me insight into my health in a way that has never been presented to me before. I did not feel rushed and he was able to respond to all my concerns in a realistic manner. I may have only had one visit to the clinic thus far, but I can foresee a long relationship ahead.
Thanks to everyone at Scripps Coastal Medical Center for making my effort towards better health a welcoming one.

BILLING ISSUES; DR CHURCHILL: A patient advocate contacted me, but then didn’t return my phone call for two weeks. He put me in contact with another billing agent. Finally I walked into the office and spoke with a billing agent named Gracie. She informed me that because I had a CONVERSATION with Dr Churchill regarding my medical history within the 15 minute appointment time the bill coding and charges were appropriate (nearly $ 300). Gracie told me that ultimately Dr Churchill had the authority to revise the codes. When I asked to speak with Dr Churchill myself, Gracie said that Dr Churchill had refused to talk to me. What a caring doctor!
In the end, what I thought was Dr Churchill taking an interest in me and my medical needs (by asking me questions about my medical history), was actually her trying to extend the conversation so that they could bill me (and my insurance) more. For each topic that was brought up during our meeting I was charged for a «diagnosis», even though Dr Churchill NEVER diagnosed me with anything.
In the end, I conclude that Dr Churchill and Scripps Medical are more concerned with making money than in providing care to their patients. I’m sure people with better insurance coverage don’t even notice what they are being billed for since their insurance would pick up the bill, but either way, billing just to get to know your doctor is completely unethical.
Very disappointed.