UCI Health Newport — Birch Street

"The insurance fraud first reported in these reviews several years ago, as well as the patient-last service, are still ongoing. 1) This center will bill its Nurse Practitioners under doctors you've never seen. After I reported this to the lead physician, I finally got a call from an actually helpful patient liaison; however, after months of phone calls and waiting, they still rebilled under an erroneous doctor. I've been charged hundreds of dollars due to this fraud, and will be looking to report to the American Medical Association next. I highly encourage others who've experience this to do the same. 2) The first nurse practitioner I saw was cold, talked over me, and delayed my approval for the CPAP for months. I finally sought an appointment with the lead physician, and the CPAP was on my doorstep in 2 weeks, proving it was not an issue from the insurance side but due to the NP. The other NP has a fantastic attitude, but gave me an incorrect mask adjustment and poor advice that was, once again, fixed by the lead physician. I will only see him, which means I rarely get in due to his impacted schedule. My year+ with this center has been an ongoing nightmare that has cost me as much as sleep as my apnea itself and, thanks to this billing fraud, appears to have no end in sight. A full audit of this business--and they put the emphasis on business, not care--might go a long way."

"I had so much hope only to be let down by these Dr’s. I had such an awful experience with these Dr’s and it’s just so sad that this is UCi. I thought so highly of UCI and now I know first hand after my visits and my experience it was not at all what I envisioned as far as ‘Good Dr’s’ go. Dr. Nukreig thinks he cured my chronic insomnia after 6 visits and I have a severe debilitating sleep disorder. He cut the duration of my appts in half on some visits and they were only 30 minute appts to begin with. Knowing how severe my condition was and how I was on the verge of collapsing he still refused to write me a drs note if I was absent to work due to my sleep deprivation because I wasn’t and still haven’t been sleeping. He just said ‘don’t take meds’ that’s all. He showed no genuine concern no care no willingness to allow me to give myself time to heal as my job is client facing and extremely demanding. With little to no sleep I can barely function day to day more less work. He and Dr Aileen are aware I was and still am suffering from severe fatigue and sleep deprivation due to my insomnia as many days my inability to fall asleep and stay asleep was severely impacting my health and just being able to have any sort of quality of life not just at home but for my job. I live my job and I want to work but when someone is on the verge of shutting down and collapsing and a Dr won’t even write a note or allow some time off so they don’t collapse that tells me they are a terrible and delusional Dr with no care or concern. He and his unlike any Dr I have ever seen in medical field, no care no concern period. He just thinks 6 weeks of CBTI and I’m magically cured. He is so so so wrong. In addition to the lack of compassion to help someone in need, these awful Dr’s didn’t respond to my messages nor follow up to even see how I am doing? Why? Because they don’t care. They don’t have what it takes to be a real Dr….. a good Dr. Overall I am honestly disgusted and disappointed in Dr Aileen Wu and Dr Neukreig as far as treatment and just the fact that they call themselves Dr’s. The lack of care and concern for a patient is beyond me as all I wanted was some help to heal and get better so I could work and be there for my child . I’ve never been more disappointed in the healthcare system as I am today and truly feel like these people are monsters and lack the care, compassionate manner , responsiveness and problem solving skills it takes to help their patient. So I did call in and explain my frustration to a gentleman who said he will find me another Dr within UCI sleep center because I told him I don’t want to see these Dr’s again as I had such an awful experience. He was very understanding and said he would follow up with me asap and call me right back after we had spoken once or twice about the matter. He never called me back or followed through with that either. So sad that this is the healthcare system at UCI Sleep center as I though so highly of UCI sleep center and was so excited for a treatment plan It’s just so sad and disappointing"

"Dr Hoyme is a phenomenal doctor. I am sleeping so much better. She explained my situation and was able rectify my problems. Thank !!"

"Lots of old reviews here, so let me add a more recent experience. Coming to this sleep center was about as pleasant and helpful as I could've hoped for. The staff here is attentive, caring, and highly knowledgeable. For example, during my in-lab sleep study I had trouble falling asleep. The tech who was in charge of me checked in with me multiple times through the night and helped me get more comfortable by bringing me extra blankets and tea. That experience was consistent with the positive interactions I had with the other staff and providers leading up to my study. Overall, I highly recommend considering this sleep center if you suffer from sleep-related issues."

"If you want a 3-4 month wait time between the 3 appointments they require. Literally the slowest and poorly trained staff I've ever encountered from the doctor to the front desk. Timely Access To Care laws in CA are violated here. They could care less if your sleep apnea is dangerous. Only a mill to overbill insurance $900 for a 5 minute appt where they ask you how you sleep."