Kaiser Permanente Alameda Medical Offices

Dr. Cohen needs to retire. I just saw him and it took 2 HOURS to write me a referral. Terrible! He actually left in the middle of our appointment to help another patient and was gone for another 20 minutes. SO INAPPROPRIATE! Avoid, Avoid, Avoid.

Date: 1÷14÷2016 Time: 2:40 PM 57° Cloudy and drizzling
Kaiser staff called me two days ago and wanted me to discuss any health questions that I might have with my physician. I told the woman I needed an appointment to see him to discuss my health. I did not want to do this over the telephone.
Appointment was set for today at 2:50 PM. Thus, I am waiting for my physician to discuss my health.
The nurses are nice and helpful. However, my doctor is somewhat a curmudgeon. I certainly do not want to interrupt him while he is looking at my medical record on the computer. I know, I know, he just wants to make sure I am doing okay. He reminds me to take better care of myself and prescribes two types of medication for me to take. Then, he refers me to the lab for blood work to be done and the pharmacy for my prescribed medications.
I guess being at Kaiser for medical exam, lab work and pharmacy for a total of about 2 hours is not too bad. Lab work is done quickly. Picking up prescribed medications usually is a long wait, standing in line. Not this time for me, as my prescription is ready and the employee has taken care of me in a matter of time.
Finally, I am glad my physician is here at Kaiser Alameda. The facility and parking area are smaller than Kaiser Oakland. The seating in the lobby is spreaded out, so I am not sitting too close to people who might be ill and/​or coughing.

Fantastic little Medical Center. Everything you need in one very conveniently located place. Small free parking lot. Appointments are always easy to get. Pharmacy is excellent, even when there’s a long line its not that long of a wait.
Further evidence that Kaiser is a fantastic medical provider.

First of all when considering Kaiser Permanente company you have to consider that it is a for-​profit business they are in it for profit or to make money. If you are not an advocate for yourself or have someone to advocate for you you will pretty much be lost in the entire system. They usually try to do the minimum work possible as far as exams are concerned. If you use Kaiser it would be advisable for you to bring along someone who has has a little bit of medical knowledge in order to get taken care of besides it is a big business for profit

Recently moved to Alameda and switched from Kaiser Oakland to Kaiser Alameda this past week after walking in and talking with two of the receptionists — very glad that I did that instead of phoning the appointment line. I could watch the women running 3 different receptionist stations and they all were extremely helpful, kind, patient, and friendly. Signed up for a new doctor and got an appointment that same day. The entire experience was waaay better than most experiences over the years at Kaiser Oakland, and while the doctor was still not absolutely running on time, it was less of a wait than usual in Oakland, and he never made me feel rushed at all, and the necessary treatments were done very efficiently, smoothly and painlessly. Added bonus is being able to walk to dr appointments from our house!

I recently relocated to the Bay Area and decided to give Kaiser a try. Worst decision ever…
First, the insurance set up process: Their whole centrally organized system seems smart in theory but in reality it means that every phone number you call brings you to a call center versus the actual doctor’s office so things take twice as long. You are treated like a number — and that’s emphasized by the fact that you HAVE to have your Kaiser number handy for any little question. That number is literally your identity within the system.
Second, the office location: This Alameda location looks cute and historic from the outside but inside it is cramped and the layout is dysfunctional. Exam rooms are tiny and sterile, the lab is creepily in the basement, etc. They only offer about 10 free parking spots so be sure to bring your quarters and brush up on your parallel parking. And if you should ever need a prescription you better be able to come between 9am-5:15pm (but not during the lunch hour) on a WEEKDAY (but no holidays). Super convenient right?
Beyond all of that, the most important part — the actual time with the doctor: The worst part of my Kaiser experience by far. I went in for my annual physical — brand new patient — and the doctor spent 15 minutes with me. That’s right, 15 minutes. For the first 7.5 minutes she asked me what my questions were and somewhat acted like she cared. For the second 7.5 minutes she made me feel like I was completely wasting her time. Her responses ranged from, I can’t answer that because I’m not a gynecologist to strongly recommending I consider an IUD to stop my heavy periods. What!!! When I responded to that saying I prefer to keep my body natural (and avoid unproven medical methods that can cause infertility!), she said I should keep all my options open. Um, no thank you! Between that and her generally disinterested attitude, I left feeling incredibly frustrated — and so grateful open enrollment is just around the corner so I can get the heck out of the Kaiser system.
Overall Kaiser feels like the epitome of what is wrong with Western medicine — a monopoly structure with doctors who are quick to prescribe but aren’t interested in actually talking about your long-​term health goals or natural steps to take to keep healthy. I’m glad others find Kaiser a good fit but I, for one, am a very dissatisfied new member.

If they made a selection of 10 stars this facility and the great people that THRIVE in it would receive that praise. In life it’s about helping others and at the end of the day helping yourself too. I was blessed to have an amazing experience with Denicia, who with her smile and attitude alone lightened my day. It’s people like her that make customer service what it should stand for. It’s like anything in life would you rather be served with someone who is kind and positive or someone who is miserable and frowning. I also was blessed to be seen by Dr. DOUK, who is an inspiration I know to many that if you work hard you can achieve your dreams and goals. She was so attentive to me, asked me the right questions regarding my health and deserves to be the doctor she is at Kaiser. Lastly the kind lady in the pharmacy Bonnie was so joyful. She helped me with receiving my prescribed medication but also had another pharmacy rep explain what each medicine objective was thouroughly. I’m so proud to say and know that if there were ever a time I would need medical attention that Kaiser would be the hands that catch my fall. God bless you all, I love you all like your my family because that’s the same LOVE i received when I stepped foot inside. Remember the motto because it means so many different things, «THRIVE»…

Oh my gosh! Went on vacation to Alameda, Ca. I fell down on some uneven pavement and sprained my ankle. First thing I did while while waiting for help was to call Kaiser. Got connected to the advice nurse because it was not a life threatening. After repeating my medical record number four times, and repeatedly telling them I’m from Hawaii. I asked to speak to someone else.
Next person on line had me repeat my medical record four times again! And again! They couldn’t find my medical Number, and again I had to explain the that I was from the Hawaii region. Then she asked me why was I calling the Alameda clinic. Well first of all maybe it was being in Alameda may have something to do with it. And second, when I called Kaiser, they were the one who transferred the call to them.
Been on the phone close to an hour now. Getting frustrated now and pain getting worst. I informed the girl that I’m just going to the Alameda general emergency room. She informs me that if its not life threatening it might not be covered. She says that she is going to transfer my call to Kaiser Oakland.
Now on hold with Oakland Kaiser, they ask for my medical record number. So before I give I inform him I am not in their system, I am visiting from Hawaii, and that had hurt my ankle. He said that’s okay, what’s my MR number. Then he informs me he can’t find it, so he proceeds to ask for my birthday, SSN, and address. Which I comply.
Then he says I’m not in Northern California’s Kaiser system, I might be in Southern California. At this point, two and a half hours on the phone. I told him I didn’t care what system I was in. I am in Alameda California, I am hurt an I want to see someone! He then asks if I wanted to transfer my records from Hawaii to the Alameda Clinic. Never mind! I’m just going to the Alameda Emergency Hospital. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! Fail on all points!

Hands down excellent customer service. Excellent communication from all fronts.

This review is for the pharmacy, bad customer service. There’s almost always a line outside the small cramped hallway. Mary is the worst person to deal with to pick up medicine from, I had a southern Ca kaiser card and would frequently visit northern Ca anytime I handed her my card she’d stare at it like it was in a different language. Almost every time she would say she couldn’t help me and try to make me sit down and wait for her supervisor, unacceptable. The staff should be trained better, Every visit is a nightmare and I dread having to come here.

My Kaiser I go to and unfortunately keep having to come back to see my doc recently. I like the historical building and how everything is on the sides like rooms and such. I think being a member of Kaiser has its benefits like free drop in flu shots which btw didn’t do nothing for me this past year… It’s in a very convenient location for me since I don’t live too far and I can walk there. My doctor is good and visits are short but effective. The pharmacy is located below and depends on how busy they are can be fast or slow to get your drugs.

A great Kaiser Clinic.
My physician is intelligent, thoughtful and responsive.
Since it is impossible to deduct half a star… I will say that the pharmacy can be an issue. I do not think the wait is crazy long, but if you are stuck in metered parking (I usually am in the back lot) the bit of extra time means extra trips to the meter or over paying the meter. I have started having my MD send my prescriptions to San Leandro, it is a bit less frustrating.
That being said, for chronic meds — their mail order service is reliable and pretty quick.
I can usually get pretty quick appointments.

I agree with Your Average Joe. I felt completely rushed and I believe the doctors are timed with the patients. The assistant wouldn’t let me finish my paperwork because the Dr was coming into the room and when the Dr came in, she spoke rapidly and before I knew it, my appointment was over in 10 minutes. I’m rating my experience as 3 stars because the receptionist was really sweet and the pharmacy was a breeze.

this location is horrible
I received a call by their phone system at 5:25pm friday to remind me that my prescription is ready for pick up when their Pharmacy closes at 5pm

This is a review for the pharmacy. It’s unreal how slow the pace of the workers is. I went in this afternoon and was ecstatic that there was only one person in line. Despite that I still had to wait ten minutes before anyone helped me. There were three women there who work the registers, one woman is slow and I dread but the other two weren’t doing anything except standing around.
I’m not demanding service like I’m at a 5 star resort but NOBODY wants to spend extra time in a pharmacy with sick people because the workers can’t get their act together.
I understand that they need to be diligent about processing the right meds to the right people but I feel that going into the Alameda Kaiser pharmacy gives me anxiety attacks.

Each time I visit my doctor (Dr David Craney) he always fix my problem (s), I been seeing him for many years. He is the best or one of the Best dr… Always caring, understanding …

This is the gold standard as far as Kaiser Care! Small, easily accessible clinic, with generally fast service and very friendly, courteous staff. Both the pharmacy and the injection clinic are usually very fast and easy to deal with. Tons of parking, and many fine restaurants and cafés are very close.
The only downside is that it IS a clinic that is only open during business hours, and has no ER. For the specialists or more elaborate care, you have to drive over to Oakland, and submit yourself to that crowded hellhole.
A special shout out to my doctor, the outstanding Charlie Chu, MD. He is very patient, extremely knowledgeable, and always accommodating. He spends lots of time with his patients, and answers all of their questions fully. He’s excellent!

The pharmacy has upped their game over the past year — at least it seems so to me. Prescriptions are getting handled reasonably fast. I’ve also noticed very surprisingly that the OTC shelf items they stock are WAY WAY WAY cheaper than at Walgreens. No shit. Like 7 times cheaper. So buy your Tylenol and Tums, etc at Kaiser Pharm and screw Walgreens!
Still only 3 stars because Dr. Tso is very nice, but, well, useless. My big toe had been killing me for 6 months and she told me to «wait it out». I got it x-​rayed. Floating bone chips. Tnx doc.

Three and a half stars is the general review
But it really is your pharmacy’s service your ratings slew
The doctors and everyone are generally OK,
But the Pharmacy’s service I’ve come to dread day by day
They’re slow and they’re not very nice
But a little less attitude would suffice
OK, so generally, this place is OK. The pediatrics dept are OK. They messed up a dr’s note, but they were nice about it. My own doctor is OK as well. However, the more I go to their pharmacy, the more I hate it. There oftentimes long lines, the people helping at the front are at times rude and unfriendly to say the least. It might be because they’re have a lot of customers, but still, not the best experience I’ve had there.

I think there should be a 2 drink minimum before getting a pap done. I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable and invasive than a doctor rummaging through your lady-​bits and asking you to, «scoot your butt closer to me.» Or, when you’re given a breast exam and in your mind you think, «what if she finds a lump,» but instead you casually talk about your day at work. Like it’s another Thursday.
As much as I hate getting them done, as a female, it’s part of the deal. You get your period, you engage in activities, you go see your doctor to make sure you don’t have cervical cancer, and hope that your ovaries are not on vacation permanently.
However, my OBGYN was great and made that most unbearable experience, bearable. Her name is Dr. Ivy Yu and she was really nice and quick about my exam and answered all my neurotic questions. I was able to email her directly if I had any questions, which I appreciated.
Thank gawd, I don’t have to get another pap done for another 3 years!!!