Berman Skin Institute | Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology,

5575 West Las Positas Boulevard, Pleasanton, CA 94588

"During my first visit to this office, I had a positive experience with Dr. Cinque, who proved to be a caring and gentle doctor deserving of five stars. The person at the front desk, whom I later discovered was the office manager, was also very nice and friendly. However, there were some negative aspects to my experience. The office phone system was subpar, as calls made during working hours were redirected to an answering service located abroad. Despite informing the person on the line about my need to speak with the office regarding an appointment I had just attended a couple of hours ago, it took them a long time to assist me. Eventually, I was promised a transfer to the office, but instead reached someone's voicemail. I couldn't be certain if it belonged to the correct office as it seemed to be an individual's voicemail. To ensure I was being transferred to the right office, I had to hang up and call again, going through the entire process once more. I left a message, but didn't receive a callback. In the meantime, I also left a message with someone at the front desk, who assured me that she would look into it and get back to me the next day. Since I didn't hear back from that person through end of the next day either, I had to make one more call to follow up on my concern. I would have appreciate it if there was more respect for my time, and if I did not have to go through those extra steps just to reach the office during working hours. It would be ideal if the office phone system allowed for direct communication without the need for redirection."

"stay away from this office poor medical care and poor customer service 1. there was even one time that the two people in front desk told me that I could not come in for my follow up appointment bc i need a referral and it turns out that i don't need one after calling my insurance company 2. i asked for a detailed itemized receipt via email but have never heard from Christina; instead i was repeatedly being told that deductible is my responsibility. 3. very upset by the skin biopsy conducted by Dr. Lily Adelzadeh, MD. The removal of the stitch two weeks after the biopsy resulted in the stitch growing into the flesh, causing unnecessary pain and extending the healing period as well as a larger than expected dark scar. 4. their price standard is confusing, and i think they overcharged me"

"Visit itself was fine. But why charging me $200.00 when office visit fee is $50.00. I was told this is new policy and will hold deposit. You act like hotels when on pre-paid rooms ask for credit card for incidental charges!"

"I keep getting emails and texts to review my experience, so here it is: This place feels like a patient mill with no regard for costumer experience. When I walked into the office, I wasn’t even greeted. The young woman never looked up from her computer screen, but said to me, “Your copay is $60.” That was it. The doctor was nice, I have no complaints. A very friendly and warm woman. When I call the office, I’m redirected to a phone service, not someone in the office. It’s cold and unfortunate that so many medical offices make you jump through these hurdles (there’s also a patient portal! Why?) just to be seen and then treated like you’re unimportant. They have a ton of positive reviews so take mine as a one-off or a bad day for them. But I would avoid a place that doesn’t treat patients well from the moment they step into the door."

"For starters, being asked to pay for a visit upon entry establishes a chilly vibe to the visit right off (we don't trust you, we expect the worst of you). Then, at the outset of the examination, being told in an accusatory manner that I look tense (Could be--in a new medical office investigating possible skin cancer) "Get your shoulders out of your ears!" I was then told that the growth/blemish on my face may well be cancerous and needs to be biopsied. So I expected that a small sample of tissue would be removed, then the rest would be removed if it was found to be cancerous, so I would have a chance to decide how it would be removed, since there seem to be a number of possible methods. In fact, when I got home and removed the band aid, I found a gouge in my face where this item once was. It had been fully surgically removed. I would like at least to have been told clearly that this was being done, before it occurred. So, while the office was clean, the staff was courteous, and I may have gotten just the treatment I needed, the "bedside manner" was far from comfortable. You may get good, appropriate treatment here, but brace yourself for the experience."