San Diego Sports Medicine and Family Health Center

Dr Jain was my QME for a work Comp case years ago and she was great…
The reason for the one star is since then whoever has structured their call system is a complete moron. 72 hours to return a call that’s way beyond industry standard. Voicemail boxes are full so you can’t even leave a message and the lady repeating that your on hold is extremely annoying. I think that they make enough money to afford elevator music. When I was coming to the practice years ago you could actually get a hold of someone. Its a injustice to patient. And to have a ²⁴⁄₇ high call volume is BS I tried calling at all different times of the day yesterday.
I am shopping around for new orthopedic surgeons for when I switch my insurance and Dr Jain would of been my first choice but not if I don’t have common industry standard access to my Dr. On I move to find a Dr that actually has a front desk staff that can answer a phone…

So just an update. I called (now almost a month later) to get a refund of my co-​pay since I never saw a doctor. The first girl answered the phone and blurted out «San Diego Sports Medicine and Family Health hold please.» (I guess it’s been a while since her smoke break.) When she came back on the line I told her what I wanted and she transferred me to billing. The girl in billing took my name and said «I’ll send this to my coworker and she’ll refund your credit card.» Fair enough. I got what I wanted, a refund. But I’m writing the update because (a) There was no «I’m sorry.» No «Oh my gosh, that’s awful.» No «wow! I can’t believe that happened. Can I let you talk to our customer service rep so he/​she can make this right?» Not even an offer to reschedule. Nothing. And (b) they still haven’t even realized that they locked me in a room for 30 minutes and I never saw a doctor. This place truly does not give a rats behind about their patients. Skip it and go elsewhere.

Really slow at returning calls, if they’re returned at all.

Appt at 2. Woman on the phone said arrive at 145. Done, I get here 143. It is now 233 and I’m still waiting to be seen. The name of this office is San Diego sports medicine and family health, one would think by the title, mostly athletics injuries would be treated here. Well the average age of people coming and going is in the high 50’s. Patients are coming and going as I continue to sit and do my best to stay patient. If you don’t like to wait 45+ minutes for a simple physical, avoid this place like the plague.

Really wished a certain doctor (evans) would give a diagnosis for my work comp claim. Explained the mechanism of injury when it happened (some time ago but within the time limit) and although he was not my primary care physician when it happened, I expected he could diagnose something. Two months later, still no diagnosis. Needless to say my claim was denied. One of the factors with a comp claim is that a diagnosis is required. When I sent him a letter asking for something, it got ignored. When I sent the letter again two weeks later I finally got a call from his assistant and was informed he would not change anything on his report… including a diagnosis, which by the way is required. It was suggested that I appeal and when I informed them that without some kind of diagnosis my appeal would also be denied, the only thing that was said was «sorry». I’ve dealt with health care personnel for the last 30 years but this place is really incredibly lacking in professionalism. Time to look for another doctor I guess. Would really like the owner to respond to this message just to see if s/​he would get involved. Probably won’t happen.

I wish they had the doctors listed individually, because I am sure there are other doctors here that are great. My review is about Dr Scott Evans. After waiting for some pretty intense breast issues to clear up on their own, I decided it was time to see a doctor. I found his name through our insurance website. I wasn’t sure who exactly you see for breast issues. The Gyne’s I called weren’t seeing new patients, so I thought this could be an initial visit that could point me in the right direction if he didn’t know. My visit went just ok. The doctor was nice enough, but seemed very bewildered by the whole thing. He got a 2^nd opinion who kept suggesting it was just the bra I was wearing. Well it’s been going on for 4 weeks regardless or what bra, no bra, or what have you. Then they suggested my razor burn was infected.
LONG story short after the initial round of antibiotics (just to be sure) some symptoms were solved, but the main issue remained. I was told to follow up, and I called them for a week before I got a call back. That call happened today. I got a very «this is all in your head» kind of tone from the doctor. Which, although, both RUDE and condescending I could understand if there hadn’t be very visible physical signs that things weren’t fine nor were they made up. The ultrasound place he had sent me to suggested I have an MRI, but talk to him you would think it was my idea. After he first suggested that I try a topical ointment for pain (mind you our conversation wasn’t even about the issue of pain) or perhaps some supplements, he mentioned snidely he could just give me a referral for the MRI if that’s what I felt I needed. Nope I just need some answers to my issues which is why I came to you in the first place. At one point I even asked if he remembered my visit, because again the physical appearance shows signs of something wrong and that was not the way I was being treated. Finally he offered the name of a breast specialist, I was like «OK. Should I just Google the number and information?» Yeah that’s what I had to do. I know health care industry people have to deal with a lot of quacks, but I would at least hope for kindness if not compassion. My family will not return to see him for any future health care needs.

Absolutely wonderful! From the front desk staff, nurses, X-​ray technician, and Dr. Sirota, the service was amazing every time. I came with my mother as a referral from her Doctor for a hip replacement. Every single staff members was very concerned and attentive to all of our questions, and trust me we had a lot of questions. Plus my mom speaks Spanish only so I was translating for her and they were all very patient and didn’t seam bothered that I had to translate, which sadly has happened to us at other offices.
Also when my mom was apprehensive about getting the surgery, they (the staff and doctor) were very encouraging and honest about the recovery and probable outcome. She is now 3 months post operation and is recovering very well, and glad she had the hip replacement surgery.

I’ve changed doctors and now see a doctor who is very professional and on time. My experience is much better now. I guess it depends who you see.

Edit: I’d like to edit my review to include the response I included to that BS note SDSM left on my review:
No. My information was not submitted within 24 hours as it was completely forgotten. I know this because when I checked two weeks later, the person on the phone didn’t have any sort of idea what referral I was talking about. This was not an insurance issue, as when I spoke to them, they had never received it. This was completely on your office, so do not try to pass the blame.
The best part of all of this was when the nurse called 3 months later to tell me my test results, but then proceeded to ask why I was even getting anything in the first place. I guess it’s not procedure to check the patient information before calling. I’m so glad nothing was life-​threatening. I would have never made it under this office’s care.
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Changing my PCM immediately. I go through Tricare Prime, so it’s a little different. I’m basically assigned what’s like a «case manager» for anything health related. This is my hub to get any kind of health-​related referral. I need an eye doctor? Have to get a referral from my primary physician.
1^st Dr. visit — Major b**** who acts like I’m trying to score drugs. Literally writes me a prescription for exercise 5 days a week. Needed eye referral.
2^nd Dr. visit — She’s 45 minutes late, but turns out to be a little nicer once I’m actually diagnosed with something. Although, she then makes assumptions that I’m trying to score diet pills. I was pissed that she was 45 minutes late, and I understand things happen, but after my first visit, I wasn’t too happy that this was my next visit experience. The doctor still had little to no bedside manner, but eased up on the «stop bothering me» kind of attitude once my results came in.
2 weeks later — Still no eye referral, and after repeated calls, no one answers or calls back. Finally get through to somebody who says they’ve been calling me and left me messages because he didn’t know which referral I needed. I told him I haven’t received anything from them and only had one referral, so he gives me the doctor info. When I ask if this is an eye doctor, he says that it’s a gynecologist. I ask him if he has the right person. He asks for my birthday and says there’s only one «Cecilia G.» and that’s the doctor. I tell him repeatedly I’m not Cecilia G., and once he figures that out, he finds out that no one ever submitted a referral to the department.
12÷22÷14 — Still no referral even after it was promised within 72 hours. No one is in the office to take a call as they all «already left» even though office hours show they should be there and no one calls me back.
12÷31÷14 — Finally just called my insurance provider to ask about my referral. It had been approved a couple days ago but no one had called to tell me. It was only after I called Tricare did I get a message two days later from the office telling me it had been approved. Then yesterday, I called the office because I hadn’t heard anything about the results of my tests on the 15^th. After I tell this to the receptionist, she tells me that the doctor called about my results on the 12^th. What? Then after I tell her AGAIN that that the bloodwork was done on the 15^th, she said she’d have Dr. Rusk call me. A day later, I get a call from Dr. Rusk in which she apologized for not calling; she had a family emergency. So wait. Hold up. You have a family emergency for 2 weeks and don’t even have the staff call your patients who are waiting for results? Then she tells me the test results, but doesn’t actually explain what they mean. After I pause, then she asks if I understand and if I need her to explain it to me. Nope. I’m out.
In 29 years, I’ve NEVER experienced anything like this before at a doctor’s office. I waited a few days to write this review and to hopefully calm down, and yet, I’m still enraged. At first, I just hated my doctor, Dr. Rusk for seeming to be an assuming know-​it-​all who won’t give you the time of day (seriously, she met with me in like 5 minutes on my first visit), or listen to a word you say. But after this referral thing, I’m just absolutely fed up. I’m pretty sure they’re doing this on purpose because I’m a Tricare prime patient, and therefore, less of a money pit for them because no place as a collective could be this… idiotic, and still be in practice.
The nurse that worked with me though, and the man who took my blood couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating. They were the only saving grace of this place. I only wish I had their names so I could give them credit for being the only good things in this place.

Went here for the first time a week ago for our 2 year old’s well-​child visit.
We showed up a few minutes early to the appointment and were seen right on time. The nurses were very nice and Dr. Cheffet was really great. She took the time to talk with us, hear about prior health concerns, thoroughly discuss our concerns and options. She was very caring, and very good with our daughter. We loved our previous ped and were concerned about having to switch due to an insurance switch, but so far we love Dr. Cheffet and the nurses we interacted with.

I went here many months ago, had appointment with Dr. Ralph. He explained everything clearly, straight to the point and help me save money as much as possible.
I twisted my knee when I was playing soccer. He explained what options for the treatment and tried to give the best I could get.
I really appreciate your helps. Thanks you Dr. Ralph

This office is your typical rip off. If you have money to blow take a trip here. I am a full time Student and hate to go to the doctors unless it’s something severe. Due to ridiculous bills for nothing.
Anyhow, I broke out in hives everywhere on my body top to bottom and figured I better get myself to the docs office before I start hyperventilating. So I went to this office and was seen by Dr. Cheffet. Really sweet lady. She saw me for 10 min. No exaggeration. Only for her to tell me I need to be seen by an allergist. As if the people on the phone couldn’t tell me that when I was asked what my symptoms were?!
So I was referred to another office got my allergy test done bada bing bada boom… Few days later I receive a bill of 90 $ for being in a room for a whopping 10 whole minutes with 10 words said from this specific office?! I have yet to receive a bill for the test from the other office. Anyhow. The billing lady calls me saying it’s because they don’t accept my anthem blue cross insurance. Hold on, weren’t you supposed to tell me this when I’m on the phone making my apt. Giving you all my info? No. Apparently she said the website was down and couldn’t check my policy and what was covered at the time… Who’s fault is that?! That’s your job as a biller. No sorry her job is to become a natzi and get as much money she can from anyone. Also a special thanks to Obama for making insurances that much more difficult.

What’s the point to adhering to appointments when you have me wait in the little box of a room for 30 minutes? And what’s up with the male nurse, the murse? Very impersonable and robotic.
Also, the first time I came in here I was checking out to see what was going on with this cough. Turns out it was the end of bronchitis. To apparently eliminate my cough, I was given an inhaler prescribed by the doctor. Turns out an hour after I inhale the stuff I’m coughing up blood that didn’t clear up for the next 2 weeks. Fantastic suggestion.

The individual docs are great when you are in front of them, but the office administration is HORRIBLE! NO weekend hours, no back up, no on call, they don’t staff the front desk till 8:30 am, no one calls back when you need to get in fast, you make an appointment and then they cancel at the last minute. These docs bail out and are never available. It is very clear that their personal life comes first, not their patients. Want to see the Dr. for 5 min. Expect to wait a while. You might be out of there in an hour…25 min. in the lobby, 15 min waiting the patient room, 15 min appt, 5 min waiting while they do follow up paperwork…
Try calling on the weekend when you have an emergency — no one will call you back!
Dr Ralph is our primary physician, but in 4 years, we have never seen him. Why? He is never there! Works at another office. Go somewhere else!

Review for Primary Care (not sports med):
I arrived around 3:45 mistakenly thinking my appt. was at 4. My appointment at 4:15 did not actually happen until 6pm. The receptionists were talking to each other about personal stuff and talking on their cell phones taking personal phone calls.
My appointment with the physician finally happened and was over within 12 minutes. I am mostly bummed that I came here because I am looking for a new PCP in this area and I am having a hard time finding a good one.
I was referred here by the Alvarado referral line and I am not sure why considering they mainly cater to athletes.

I love Dr. Look. She’s great. I like that she is personable and took the time to get to know me on each visit. She has been my doctor for a couple of years now. She was very knowledgeable.
However, its tough getting an appointment with her. I tried to make an appt for a friend of mine because I raved about the place. I called the reception office right at 8:30 AM to get the first available appointment. Their after hours message was on until about 8:34 AM when the receptionist answered.
I advised the receptionist that I needed to make an appt for a friend to get his shots. She took down his first and last name. Put me on hold. She came back on the line and said I would need to call back in about 15 minutes because the «phones are lit up right now» and it takes too much time to do new paitent information. I told her that calling back in 15 minutes will push my request out further and I will not have as many options by the time I call back.
I’ve worked in customer service for many years now. This is a first for me to deny new business.
A+ on Dr. Look
C– on the reception office, phone etiquette and professionalism

This place is for sure the only Drs office I will ever go to. And that is all due to Dr Ralph. I kid you not– if you make an appt with Dr Ralph you will leave feeling better and like your problems were addressed.
He is the only Dr I will see there. I have tried others and they are okay but nothing like Dr Ralph.
I will be honest though, there is always a wait for a little while once you check in. I have never waited longer than 30 min past my appt time but this has happened no matter where I go and I would rather wait here and get seen by someone qualified then wait less time and see someone I dont like.

I took my son with me to my appointment this past week. I am happy to say, they opened up to having a little one running around. Every one that I talked to showed that they care not only for me, but for the fact that I had my son with me.
From the time I did my intake until I left there, really polite people. Friendly staff, over all amazing!
Thank you all for your professional service!
Cheers!

If they allowed 10 stars I would give it here. I’ve been coming here for at least 20 years. I started with Dr. Rice and have never looked back. Over the years I only chose insurance plans if this practice was on there. From the front staff (who ROCK), to the nurses, to the AMAZING doctors I will never go elsewhere. If you’re not an athlete, do not let the title scare you, they do it all. They have an xray machine and technician on site (time saver for sure). Currently we see Dr. Rohrer except for my daughter who loves Dr. Look (a female doctor). Two years ago Dr. Rohrer saved my husband’s life, he diagnosed him with a serious condition that would have killed him in a few days. My kids have been raised through this practice. I have so many happy stories that I don’t know where to start, so suffice it to say this is my doctor’s office of choice.
I LOVE YOU GUYS, thank you for all the years of phenomenal care you have given myself and my family.

I can’t claim to know what happened with Unilocal-​er Jennifer R? I was very pleased with my treatment here when I got a referral from my primary care doctor. FINALLY, I was going to get some therapy for some serious knee problems. In my youthful indiscretion, I would pound the pavement-​running marathons, endless laps around the track and just abusing my poor, over-​worked legs in general.
So I came for an evaluation with my x-​rays. I was given an exam, and told NOT to expect a knee replacement since insurers don’t like to approve one until you hit a certain age. Far from being bummed out, I was reassured by Dr. T that there were things that Sports Medicine can do to make it endurable until the time comes when I can get new knees.
That would include cortisone shots for swelling and a series of hyaluronic acid shots in the knee joint to build up the fluid that acts as a buffering agent (and pain reliever.) Now this shot is not pleasant, as the doctor needs to get it positioned just right. When the needle is all the way inserted, I could feel the steel of it directly against my knee bone-​it was a freaky sensation, but Oh! What wonderful relief it brought. I was finally able to walk normal for a while. I was very grateful for this!
Now it’s another BIG HASSLE because I have to mess with the insurance company to get another series of shots scheduled, but San Diego Sports Medicine is working with me on it. The front desk ladies are very nice and they always give you a reminder call the day before your appointments-​which is a big help to me since I got a lot going on and sometimes forget!
I do know that some of the San Diego Chargers go here and I am sure the San Diego State Aztecs do too. I like that the doctors also discuss ways to naturally treat your maladies such as nutrition, exercise, heat and ice packs, whirlpool treatments and of course-​losing weight.
They are just singing to the choir with me, but I do appreciate that they make that effort anyway. This medical office is in a good prime location-​right off Interstate 8 near San Diego State University. The Alvarado green trolley stop is directly across the street and Alvarado Hospital is right next door. It’s never fun to have sports injuries-​especially nagging, chronic ones but if you have to deal with them, it’s not too bad doing it here.