UCLA Neurology Department — Local services in Los Angeles

I am lucky I did not see prior reviews! I would never have made an appointment. The process to get in is cumbersome. I had three different M.D. send referrals as only Neuro M.D. could never get around to sending a referral and med recs together. I did write a note on one of referrals and explained my situation. New Rare Neuro dx by Neuro MD who was Upset w/me for being emotional at time of Dx. I got an appointment fairly easily, yes I was seen by a Neurologist Intern who was at end of her rotation and was then a full fledged Neurologist and was specializing in another condition. I was sad that I wouldn’t see her again. However she took excellent care and Medical History from me. Things I had been putting of as just fatigue, age, and being out of shape were actually part of condition. I thought I was just starting, I found I had the condition longer than I knew. I started a treatment plan immediately. The plan involved Medication which cost $3000. Per treatment, which I needed four of. Personally I don’t have that kind of money and to my knowledge Medicare doesn't pay it. What to do? Suddenly I was getting calls from UCLA regarding a foundation that would grant money for two of the treatments which were to be done in Nov / Dec 2024. I received calls from the Pharmacy , a pharmacist screened me, I was actually screen at least three times to make sure all bases were covered. The Infusions were to be done in Hime. I live three hours away from LA. This condition is rare and only one Neuro in my area actually had had experience with this disease. The Disgnosing MD was a Neurologist in Pain Management. I felt completely taken care of by UCLA Neuro. It was like no other medical service I’d ever had. They had a full wrap around program including a home health agency in my town. Everything was set up, including a fund to pay for the treatments. I really felt safe and so well taken care off. On my first infusion the Nurse stopped it as my BO rapidly increased. The Nurse called UCLA clinic and within fifteen minutes she had a call back from the head MD at that particular clinic. Again I felt so safe and taken care of. Now we are into the new Year, my excellen Senior intern has moved on, I have two more infusions set up with home health. I called the foundation to see if my grant was renewable. Found out unless original grant is completely billed for I cannot get a new grant. It was the holidays and I was not surprised that second treatment had not been billed. Attempted three times to get into foundation Portal, no luck. Today I finally got through on phone to foundation and Billing is still not in. So my grant is only billed for one treatment. The treatment has already been given to me, so technically my account is at zero. However the foundation must see it at zero or no more money is available! I cannot set up another infusion myself without funds in place. I feel the big warm arm has been removed. Everything was taken care of for me. Right now I’m in the same position I’d be in in a non University facility. I’ve got to do the leg work myself. Which is fine but when I was assured by the Senior Intern that not to worry they would be there and take care of me, and that’s what they did after the first appointment, I was expecting the same this time around, I have heard absolutely nothing from UCLA. Do I have an ongoing Doctors order for my following treatments. Do they know why Billing not done, Does the pharmacy know to get my equipment and infusions here by the date the nurse is scheduled. I have heard from no one!!! Then I looked at the reviews , they are horrible. They are also old. But based on the lack of contact from UCLA on how to proceed with my treatments now, and them tentatively scheduled a week away, I’m wondering if those reviews even though old, may still be true. I will find out soon. I may then have to find a Neurologist closer than UCLA in LA. I Hope not, but that big arm of service and caring isn’t evident this month. I’ll...

I gave two stars because the process of trying to get into their neuromuscular clinic was a hassle just to be seen and told that they cannot help me. It took me 4 weeks to get an appointment for this clinic. I was first told that it would take a week for them to review my information and pair me with the doctor that will benefit me the most. I was told all of my information was collected. I called a week later to find out that the waiting process is actually 2 and a half weeks. 3 weeks passed and I was told the hold up was because they did not have my referral after i had been told that they had it all. I gave them my referral and then waited 5 more days for the review/acceptance process. I was given an appointment two weeks out and when I went to the appointment the doctor told me she could not help me. She was confused as to why I was there. I too was confused as I was told that one of the reasons it is such a long process is due to them reviewing my documents and determine the best fit for me. If that was true then I would've been told that i was not accepted as no one could help me there. It was a waste of time, energy, and hope. This office was so disorganized. I gave the second star for the doctor who had a lot of empathy for my situation and the few receptionists who were efficient and tried to help me...

If I can rate a zero for Dr. Eric M Williamson I would. This man completely discredited my sister from getting a referral to her hospital when she has MS and is having a flareup he told her what she is feeling isn’t valid because she is on ocrevus and her charts are not bad. When it comes to this disease just because she’s on a treatment and her chart say one thing does not mean that she can feel completely different the next day he will not give her a referral to go to the hospital and was annoyed with her that she was crying on the phone to him About her symptoms and explaining how she needs to get this referral-he hung up on her. If my sister has an attack and her symptoms escalates- it is on this man for not helping her under his care.

Although this is not my personal experience this is what happened to my sister. I was mind boggled to the fact that an accredited Dr. can be so careless with...