Hoag Medical Group - Laguna Beach

"Amazing physician. Friendly and helpful staff. Great experience all around!"

"Do NOT go here! This place has ruined my life. Please read this review before you consider going here: From the beginning, this place was so disorganized that I got screwed over and over. My first appointment that I showed up for (took time off work) they told me they remembered speaking to me on the phone but forgot to actually book the appointment so I had to go back and come back another time. From then on it was just mistake after mistake, from submitting the wrong medication or the wrong dose and having to go back and ask them to send it in again wrong and then sending it wrong again and again, it's clear the staff do not pay attention and don't care how this effects you. Finally, I went for a routine blood check last year and the doctor put in a referral to get my blood drawn. I expressed concerns about general health and Dr. Panitch asked me a series of questions about my family background, such as if we have a history of blood clots and what not. I told her I wasn't sure but that my mother has varicose veins. She sent in the referral. After I got my blood drawn, I got a bill for $508. I was completely shocked. I found out that the codes this provider sent in was for "experimental" tests that weren't covered by my insurance and nobody told me and I was now responsible for paying. I was horrified. I called the office and told them and they told me they would update the codes and it would be fine and to just wait 8-10 weeks. A few months later, I get mail from debt collection that I'm now in collections and my credit score TANKED! I called and spoke to the onsite Manager, Maria Lisek, who was so unbelievably rude and dismissive. She constantly told her that it wasn't their problem and they had done nothing wrong. I informed them that they had violated a federal bill that required providers to be transparent about what is covered and what has to be paid out of pocket. I read her language directly from the bill and explained this was a violation of federal law, she had absolutely no response except "too bad, not our problem and we're not helping you!" She also consistently lied about the situation, saying "Dr Panitch said that you discussed getting tested for blood clots and you agreed," which was not only a lie, but also completely irrelevant because it does not negate their duty to inform you that they're sending in "experimental" diagnosis codes for a test you don't even need! In the end, I told her my insurance said they could write an appeal to try to resolve it. This is absolutely the least they could do! Maria Lisek informed me that there was no chance they would appeal this and that it wasn't their problem or their fault and they wouldn't be doing anything to correct their grave error. For the past week, I've been doing everything I can to contact them, including leaving messages and emails expressing that I'm in debt collection and my credit score - my ENTIRE life is being ruined over this - and they have not called me back once. This place is truly the worst medical provider I have ever visited. They have a legal obligation to inform you that procedures are not covered and they insist they do not have to comply with this federal bill and they allow you to get into the same hell that I'm in now by not informing you that, what you think is just routine check ups and blood tests, they're sending in as "experimental" diagnostic codes that you have no clue about. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!"

"Unimpressed; feels corporate and like they don't care at all. I needed a simple prescription asap for a recurring issue. Wait on hold for 10 minutes just to speak to a receptionist (twice today). Turns out not only won't they call in the prescription, (they want me to come in for appt) but the 1st availability is a week from now. By then, the prescription won't do me any good. Very unhelpful."

"Highly recommend. Was visiting family and called to see the doctor for a last minute appointment, saw the nurse who was lovely. All the staff were great from start to finish. The nurse went out of town the following week but the doctor in the office took over and was extremely diligent following up with me on labs and medications. The best!"

"I drove to Hoag Medical Group after experiencing growing chest pains, not realizing the graveness of my condition! It turns out I had a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in my lung) and by the time I got to the clinic, I was in crisis not to mention pain! The nurse & Dr Anderson immediately identified the critical state I was in & were prompt to get me to ER at Mission Hospital. Their initial care made such a big difference! I am forever grateful to their amazing response and care! My prognosis is great and thanks to their initial care, I can look forward to a full recovery! It is very assuring & satisfying to know that our local clinic is so well equipped to provide such, in my case, life changing care!"