Berman Skin Institute | Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology

"My visit with my P.A. earlier this week was great -- it always is! But the billing procedures, wherein I need a itemized receipt and documentation for the actual work done -- is laboriously slow. I need both "sides" of the visit to be documented and given me, so that I in turn can submit them to my insurer for reimbursement: man, it's complicated and it seems like it needn't be...."

"Consumers beware- Berman charges a $150 yearly bogus fee on top of your insurance co-pay. My 10 minute useless consultation ended up costing me $240 for a medical,issue. I had just recently visited another derm office and came here because I was told they had the type of laser to treat my condition, and I can attest that this is NOT common practice. Though I asked what this was for, I was simply told that it was their policy and it would go towards my deductible, but given no real reason for this additional fee. They were in network, didn’t do anything- they just felt entitled to extort this additional fee. Another warning- all lasers advertised are not available at all locations. I drove out to Walnut Creek only to find out I would then need to go all the way to Los Altos. No thanks."

"The SF location never picks up their phones. I tried calling 3X at different times/days and I would leave voicemails and never got called back. I finally got a hold of the Walnut Creek office for an appointment and the PA who helped as great. Although, the front desk staff wasn't great. After I let her know I had new insurance, it didn't get updated and I was overcharged so now I have to go through that whole inconvenience. At this point, I'd recommend going to a local dermatologist."

"I believe in second chances, so after a few years since I was a patient I decided to try them again. Not any better, unfortunately. My first experience spent a lot of money with little or no noticeable results lightening my brown spots. This time I visited the Walnut Creek location for a consult, only to get there and there wasn’t a certified staff member to do the consult. So, they rescheduled me for today in Pleasanton. I received several reminders about my appointment and I arrived early; unfortunately, I sat for over 20 minutes in the lobby . When I got up to leave, the office staff said they didn’t even know where the nurse was—she wasn’t even back there (quoted). Did they even know I was coming today? Who knows? Bottom line, I’m not going to spend good money for a derm who doesn’t value me."

"Do NOT purchase a membership here! I tried to cancel several times and here’s what I was told “The cancel package agreement is that you have to give a 2 month written notice and there is a $299.00 cancellation fee.” This important information was not very transparent. I emailed them back in May and they still kept charging me every month even after the 2 months. I tried emailing and calling the office several times about this. Shelly Harmon (billing manager) responded once and never responded to any of my follow up emails when I asked why I kept getting charged the monthly subscription fee. I called several times and finally got a hold of someone who told me she would help me but never did anything and never got back to me either. I finally reached out to my credit card company to ask them to step in on my behalf and ask BSI to stop charging me. My credit card company was able to get me a refund for the extra months that they charged me. However a few weeks later I got a bill in the mail saying that I had to pay that money back. When I called the phone number listed on the bill, they were not helpful and just said that I will no longer be charged going forward, but that I needed to pay up until September. This company has been such a headache to work with, I unfortunately already bought a package with them but will not be coming back"