Central Texas Heart Center — Local services in Bryan

I was referred to Dr. Colato at Central Texas Heart by my PCP, but unfortunately, my experience with the office was incredibly disorganized and disappointing.

Before my scheduled appointment, I had to visit the ER. While hospitalized, I was seen by Dr. Gutierrez, who was the cardiologist on call. After discharge, I was contacted to schedule a follow-up and was told I would be seeing Dr. Colato’s PA. However, I was instead scheduled with Dr. Gutierrez’s PA.

I waited in the office for over an hour, only to be told that I would need to be rescheduled for later that same day. When I asked why I was being seen by the wrong provider, the nurse stepped out to ask, came back, and told me I couldn’t be seen by Dr. Colato’s team after all because I was seen by Gutierrez in the hospital. I was finally scheduled with Dr. Colato.... or so I thought.

The day before that appointment, I received a call that it was being canceled because “Dr. Colato was not accepting new patients.” This directly contradicted what my PCP’s office had in their records. When I called to speak to a manager, they confirmed that Dr. Colato was accepting new patients, but it would be up to him to approve a transfer from Dr. Gutierrez’s care. No apologies or resolutions given.

While dealing with ongoing cardiac symptoms and feeling very anxious, I was passed around like a game of hot potato. It was incredibly frustrating to feel like no one in the office had clear communication or genuine concern for my care.

The doctors themselves may be excellent.... I can’t say, because I never got far enough to find out. But based on my experience with the front office, scheduling, and communication, I can’t trust that this clinic would provide the care I believe I need.

This was my experience, and I give this office a failing grade due to poor communication, lack of empathy, and confusing internal policies. I hope others have better luck, but I won’t...

Negatives: A rude appointment specialist was first contact that I had with Central TX Heart. Abrupt. Not a clear speaker.

Never informed that the office is located inside a large hospital. That should be number one thing in initial appointment.

Made to pay the full amount of patient’s responsibility up front without getting billed. If one has a HRA, one has to have the diagnostic codes from a detailed bill before paying or one loses that money. Other non-CHI St Joe healthcare providers in town bill you.

Nurse didn’t seem knowledgeable. Incomplete questions when completing questionnaire.

Waited 40 minutes between nurse check up and seeing Dr Gutierrez. He only spoke to me for 10-15 minutes.

He did not have access to my records that I had taken the time to scan and email to the office through the patient portal months before my appointment. I brought a hard copy just Incase but he didn’t want to see them.

Dr Gutierrez-rushed, so I felt rushed. My heart rate was 100 and he asked is it normally that high. I should have said I feel rushed so that’s probanly what it is.

I have East Coast medical centers to compare this area of Texas to so I’m not sure what is status quo for here. My experience with Central Texas Heart was the worse since moving here. I am going to ask my doctor for another referral and start all over again with a different office.

Positives I got out of the office to find my car...

I have to say that Dr. Colato is absolutely amazing and I really liked him and hated having to find a different cardiologist, but I was left no choice, because of how poorly the office is run. I was never able to get ahold of anyone at the office either by phone or by email. I had came in for an appointment and scheduled a follow up and they called and left me a voicemail cancelling the appointment and told me to call back to reschedule and I literally tried for weeks and was unable to get anyone to answer during the normal business hours. I had issues in the past getting ahold of someone but would after a couple of days of trying get ahold of someone. This is very poor business practice. I have since spoken to several other people who have used doctors in that office who have the same issues they love the doctor but can never get ahold of the office. I switched to another cardiologist and after 6 months my new cardiologist office has still not received my medical records from this office. This just really is not ok to treat...