Blue Harbor Dermatology & Laser Institute:: Newport Beach Office

"I recently underwent a procedure at Blue Harbor Dermatology and while the medical care was satisfactory, the billing experience has been nothing short of frustrating and disappointing. Despite having insurance coverage with Cigna, my interactions with the billing department have left me questioning the professionalism and efficiency of Blue Harbor Dermatology. The issues began when my insurance paid for the initial procedure, but subsequent communications regarding the removal of stitches revealed a confusing change in network coverage. The lack of proactive communication on their part meant that I only discovered I was no longer part of the network after receiving an unexpected bill after 1 year passed. Numerous calls between the office and Cigna ensued, with conflicting information causing further confusion. Blue Harbor Dermatology consistently charged the full fee instead of the contracted amount, which not only violated their agreement with the insurance company but also raised ethical concerns. After countless calls and emails over the course of three months, the billing issues persisted. Only after writing a formal email expressing my dissatisfaction did they respond with a bill showing a zero balance. However, this relief was short-lived as another bill arrived a month later, claiming that the amount I had paid had been returned to the insurance. The outsourcing of billing to BHD seemed to exacerbate the problem, with poor communication between the billing department and the main office. The lack of a direct phone number for the billing department further hindered resolution, leaving me to wait for 3-5 days for each response. In a conversation with a supervisor, who happens to be Dr. Belasco's wife, I encountered rudeness and a dismissive attitude. Her failure to allow me to express my concerns and her abrupt assurance that they would "clean up the balance again" was unprofessional and demeaning. While the monetary amount in question may be relatively small, the principle of the matter is significant. Blue Harbor Dermatology's negligence in informing me of the change in network status and the subsequent billing discrepancies have wasted a considerable amount of my time and caused unnecessary frustration. In conclusion, Blue Harbor Dermatology needs to rectify its administrative and billing processes to ensure a smoother and more transparent experience for its patients. The lack of communication, adherence to contracted fees, and the dismissive attitude from the supervisor are aspects that need urgent attention. Patients deserve better, especially when it comes to matters as crucial as billing and insurance coordination."

"Dr Belasco is fantastic, and his office and staff are all excellent! I tried 3 dermatologists before finding him, and it's no comparison!"

"0 stars if that was an option. Worst service ever, the doctor doesn't know what he is doing and couldn't diagnose the condition. Please stay away from this place unless you want to get ripped off. I made all the payments and got rid of them and they are still sending me bills after 2 years. Money minded people with doctor no idea of what dermatology mean."

"I was charged $60 for a missed appointment. I called and explained that I thought I had canceled the appointment and also that $60 was a lot of money to me because I was on disability. I was told they still had to pay or it will affect my credit rating and be sent to collection. I think it says a lot of what the real intentions are at this dermatology clinic. The bottom line is money. Very sad."

"If I could give Dr. Belasco 6 stars I would! I have been struggling with severe scalp psoriasis for 10+ years now, for as long as I can remember! The itchiness was so bad I couldn’t even sleep at night. I’ve seen multiple doctors and specialist and nobody could do anything about it. I discovered Dr. Belasco, booked an appointment, and not even 2 weeks later I was completely 100% healed. I could not even believe it! Dr. Belasco is a miracle worker and I’m so grateful I stumbled upon him! I could tell the second he walked into the room that he truly cares about his patients. That’s really all I could ask for. Can’t recommend him enough!"