University Spine and Pain Center — Local services in Hermosa Beach

Being a Flight Attendant and having expired turbulence I thought it would be a good idea to see what this company had to offer. Upon arrival the front desk were so lovely and immediately took my insurance information. They told me I could have a consultation. They gave me no financial information and told me I could see someone in between other patients. I thought why not' the physician took me in their office for a discussion. There was no mention of any fees. He told me about injections that I seemed unsure of and provided a backbrace? A backbrace. I like to think I am a fairly active individual, so why would I need one. It felt forced and made me very uncomfortable. I do not like the concept of enabling. I would prefer to strengthen. I tried to not except the backbrace and was told that I could take it and bring it back when I received my insurance information. I didn't want it at all. They would not take it. I went home very upset and explained this to my husband. I am Canadian and do come from a socialized healthcare system. This felt like a forced sale and that I was being pushed into something that I simply did not feel comfortable with at all. I went back to the office very distraught. They would not take it from me. I was fuming. I was red and could break down and cry. I went home again and that thing never left my vehicle let alone the package. I decided to write a letter the next day and return it. I phoned them in the morning and they had kept telling me to wait for the doctor. Why would I have to do that. I gave it to the lady at the desk and she finally said fine. A couple of months later I received a bill from my insurer that they had expensed that back brace at $1500 (which you can buy online for $33) and office visit (which was to be a simple consultation with no discussion of fee) of $250. If I could give this place a negative million billion stars I really would. No one should ever feel that way and once again will have to annoyingly contact them to deal with this now. Thanks a lot for all that time of my mine spent on this nonsense. DON'T LET THIS EVER HAPPEN TO YOU!!!! SO VERY UPSETTING!!! SO UNETHICAL!!!! POOR BUSINESS PRACTICE, NON/DISCLOSURE, FORCED SALES APPROACH, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INSURER!!!! (which would have been fine if it was to my value add...

Upon arrival, we were not greeted.

I was peppered with tasks to do: provide insurance card, ID, copayment and contact our former providers for CT scans and X-rays.

When taken into the room, “Rosa”, the receptionist and I’m guessing intake person, became extremely frustrated when she started shooting multiple questions as I completed the paperwork and also said I needed to resend the scans as they didn’t receive them. I asked that she please be patient as the actual patient, my mother, who is elderly was also becoming irritated. “Rosa” sucked here tongue and said she’d come back when we were done.

While I completed all of their demands, we can hear the staff being extremely kind to other patients than they brought to their rooms.

“Rosa” came back 10-15 minutes later. I had given her the notebook of docs I completed on my ill elderly mother’s behalf. She then began to ask questions which were answered in the forms I completed. “What pharmacy do you use?” I advised that I included all those details in the forms per their request. She was upset and I decided to curtail the appointment. My mother had already said she wanted to leave based on our interaction in the waiting room and lack of a greeting. I took the forms back and asked that they refund the copay. She stormed off and went into a closed door slamming it behind her. I then heard her say that she was not going to deal with us.

She then told me that I wouldn’t get a receipt as proof that they refunded my card.

Final impression, if Dr. Nguyen employs staff with these types of attitudes and lack of patience and empathy, he probably would’ve been the same way.

Will never go back and am...

PSA: BEAWARE OF YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.... I highly recommend waiting until your 2nd visit before putting a review. I left there crying. Dr.Nguyen had the worst disposition I have ever encountered in a doctor ( office staff's remarks to my tears "I dont know what to say I wasn't in the room"). I was embarrassed, and belittled. This doctor went from 5 stars on my first visit to no stars on my 2nd. I gave 2 stars because the ladies at the front are nice and informative. I won't be recommending this doctor office to family, friends or the countless clients my company services for in home care that I have direct contact with who live in the southbay. As a young mom and professional, knowing your back will not be the same is a daunting and stressful ordeal. The last thing anyone needs is to have the 1 person who is suppose to be an expert and help you through the process, speak down to you and put words in your mouth. I am suppose to get a call from the doctor tomorrow, however, after much thought and consideration (which I hope the doctor sees my expression in his head while reading this since he made assumptions regarding my expressions of concern in the office) I wont be returning for my remaining treatment. After all Dr.Nguyen said it himself "I dont want to treat anyone who isn't sure or uncomfortable." -Warm Regards, a...