Family Health Center

"This has to be the worst doctor's office I've ever attended. First, all the doctors are residents in training--most are DOs and not MDs. Second, they provide misinformation regarding treatment options. Recommended I get a vaccine because the treatment was recommended for my age group and it would reduce my risks of certain kinds of cancer. Both of those statements were false, so I ended up getting one of 2 shots of some vaccine that wasn't even for me and had terrible side effects. I called the doctor's office multiple times about this, after I'd received a bill for over $500, and didn't get a response. When I finally threatened to notify the health department and send complaints about the supervising attorneys, I received a response from the "doctor" (resident, not the actual supervising physician), that she was very sorry and that the amount would be taken off my bill. For 6 months, I received bills from the office that I owed them for my shot, and every time I called the office, I was told that I had to speak with billing and then billing said I had to speak with the dr's office. Back and forth each month, and when I finally thought the issue was resolved, I get a letter from a collection law firm stating that I hadn't paid the bill. At that point, I was livid. I called the office and sent letters to each of the physicians stating that I would notify the insurance company, the department of health and the department of insurance regarding their nefarious practices. I was assured by the receptionist that I would receive a call back. But of course, I did not. Instead, the bill was simply removed and I never received an apology. As a lawyer, I spent the time to deal with this because it infuriated me that this is how their practice is run, but I'm sure that most patients would just give up and pay the bill out of fear of being sent to collections. Ellis Family Medicine should be ashamed of their methods. I'm still planning to notify the applicable regulatory agencies requesting that their payment and insurance practices be audited."

"I don't typically leave reviews, but this place is exceptionally bad. I showed up on time but there was a line out the door, and didn't get to check in until 20 mins later - the receptionist gave me an attitude but saw I was there on time, so she called my Dr to let her know I was there and they argued on the phone about it. I didn't have access to previous medical history because I didn't have the privilege of access to Healthcare for many years (something you'd think they'd understand, especially in Schenectady). The doctor was understanding and told me to put no providers on my paper, but on the way out the nurse saw this and was terribly rude to me for no reason. I tried to explain my situation and she cut me off and told me there was nothing the practice could do for me until I figured it out. The doctor also.told me that the knee problems I have dealt with for the past 7 years is because I weigh too much and probably don't exercise enough, or I'm dehydrated- all without even bothering to so much as look at my knees at all. Mind you, I used to be no more than 130 lbs, and very recently gained weight but I'm honestly not that heavy now. Not only that but I explained that I exercise every day. I'm seriouy considering never going back."

"I switched over from Albany Med for my last few months of pregnancy to have a doctor a bit closer in which time everyone was so nice, supportive, helpful. I loved my primary and how great the staff was to me. After I gave birth in August things completely went 180. During my last appointment I waited over 30 minutes in the waiting room and then another 50 in the room to see my doctor all to have the nurses call me while in the room because they forgot about me. Doctor then saw me for maybe 5 minutes and forgot to give me a flu shot and paper work. To this day I’m still chasing them around trying to get all my referrals. Getting an appointment with my primary is a disaster. I’m looking for a a new doctor."

"Horrible practice!! Rather than address the health issue that brought me in, the doctor sent me to ER where I sat for over five hours for an MRI. ER doctor referred to neurosurgeon and Ortho NY, only to be told when I tried to make an appointment with OrthoNY that my pcp needed to refer me. Call my PCP(Ellis family health), they can't get me in with the doctor I'd seen before until March. Would I like to see someone else? I don't have the time or energy to keep retelling these ignorant people my history, open the file and read it!! Can't see same doctor twice, have to explain ALL your medical issues EVERY time you walk in for an appointment. Left hand has no clue what the right is doing, total chaos in this practice!!"

"How is it that my doctor tells me one thing and the scheduling "call center" tells me something different. Whose lying to me. How can one person tell me they dnt have an appointment date until after my fue date as i am pregnant. Im feed up with this place. Ive never been to a place where drugs are found on the floor. They dnt clean up the rooms when their done using it.... like why did i find crack cocaine on the floor. What if my kid ate that. Then what id be suing this place."