Castro Mission Health Center

CMHC has the worst admin staff of any business, let alone a healthcare center. I have ever experienced. You will get better service at MacDonald’s.
If you call the front desk & a woman with a deep, raspy voice & Latina accent, just hang up. It’s pointless to talk to her. She will put you back on hold for 15 minutes until your phone drops the call. You can call back & get back on hold, but if you want to make an appointment, she will reroute you to the advice nurse, and you will be back on hold for another 10 minutes.
When I had a serious medical problem, and was given this treatment by that front desk lady, I wrote a letter to the Managing Director to let him know. I never got an answer.
They are over-​booked, so I went elsewhere for care.

I came in as a walk in patient and they cant take anyone because theyre short staff. Went to the bathroom and all I see are doctors and nurses sitting around chatting. I came in before any appointments. Dumbest system here in san francisco. Doctors who do not care about people, just money

It’s torture to get through the phone system but otherwise they are pretty great with good attitudes. IMHO the entire system should be much more assertive in preventative care but that’s a systemic issue.

It never changes, 3 trips across town to be lied to again, the rich sob that sued tbe crap out of hospitals for pricey cancer treatments for his parents, is part if the war on poor ppl, they dont even call ppl pateints, you are a customer, listen to outgoing message, i have asked for braces 2 times in 3 months, having a connective tissue disorder doesn’t make the pharmecutucal company money, thats all chn truly cares about, inflating usage rates for their drugs, to increase their profit, so they can dominate the billion dollar arena.

Today I came over 300 miles to sign a paper to have my medical records sent to my new doctors in Kern County because they refused to help me on the phone and said that my on file authorization was no good. They didn’t want to hear that I moved too far away to just come over and sign something and as usual wouldn’t help. I traveled the 5 and a half hours from Bakersfield to SF to sign the paper and the office is closed for special meetings for two days and unless it’s a doctors apt that was already scheduled then they aren’t helping with anything, yet again. I’m supposed to come back another day. The only notice of these meetings are posted on the front door and no where else… not even a mention of it through the phone system.
The reason I’m having my records transferred is because of nightmare care. My records have not been accurate, incorrect tests have been run, prescriptions so hard to get that I have been off some of my daily meds for over 6 months. They refuse to work with the pharmacy or call them back when questions arise, they don’t call patients back either. Don’t bother leaving a VM it won’t do you any good. You must be you own patient advocate here. Really it’s so hard to get the basics that it’s not worth it to come here even if you live across the street. I literally had to move out of the county to get the care I needed because of these people. Even if you have the plague you are better to try and sweat it out!

I’ve been enrolled as a patient at Castro Mission Health Center for ten years, approximately. I am very pleased with the care I’ve received. The physicians, nurses, and staff are professional, attentive, conscientious, and always helpful.
Most of the appointments I’ve had at Castro Mission started 30 or 40 minutes later than scheduled. The examinations I’ve had were thorough and all my questions were answered to my satisfaction.
The only negatives are that they send you to San Francisco General Hospital for some tests and procedures. The wait times at General Hospital can be lengthy. This means that the soonest appointment at the General Hospital may be weeks or months in the future. And once you get to General Hospital you can spend hours in the waiting room.
Advice nurses are available to speak to by phone during weekdays. Typical wait times to speak to an advice nurse by phone are 15 to 50 minutes. Wait times after 2pm seem shorter. I’ve called the advice nurse typically 6 or 7 times a year and am very satisfied.

I don’t know why this place only has 2 stars. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences here. Dr. Wong & Ireland are great, knowledgeable and don’t rush you. The staff has always been cordial and helpful. I really like Castro Mission Health Center.

Horrible experience. Asked to be a patient of a certain MD I had done some research on and they appointed me to another MD. A very common name so I couldn’t get any background. Filled out a bunch of form work (as expected). I was to have my annual physical, the MD wasn’t personable, rushed, kinda didn’t give a shit when I brought up concerns. And I left with refills for my prescriptions.
What I have a problem with is their phone line and, in my case, the public health’s complete stupidity in billing. They also forgot to document on their computer my SSN, which I needed to verify myself. I got a bill in the mail from SF department of health for the total cost. I am covered, like most people with the annual physical. My appointment was in February and I am still fighting this because they incorrectly submitted the bill to my insurance (out of state– blue cross blue shield of FL), they simply never received the bill. I had to call my insurance after getting nowhere on this side and they told me it wasn’t received in their FL office nor at the CA offices. The people billing admitted that then they sent the fax they didn’t get a return confirmation fax, like they needed. The insurance rep was encouraging me to do a 3 way call so she could talk them through it! But didn’t happen because its a crap shoot to get a receptionist to pick up. Seriously not worth it. I left two VM with billing with my information, contacts and instruction and no change. I get more threatening bills in the mail. Now, I don’t know much about medical offices or insurance but do know when someone is not doing their job. I even typed out and mailed a letter. I got a call back from a disgruntled receptionist at SF delinquent accounts who in short told me to get it sorted out. It’s horrible how easily it could have been to get it done right.

First I told the first doctor that I saw there over a year ago that I was bleeding and needed a surgical consult. He stated that when I got better insurance, we could talk about that. I repeated this to the next four doctors that I saw over a 14 month period without any action. When my kidneys started to fail, I was admitted to SFGH for 6 days. I required 3 transfusions to build me back up and save my life, because of the neglect I suffered at Castro «What’s our Mission» Health Center. Now that I’m out, I’ve been over a week trying to get a nurse to return my phone call over two prescriptions and some lab work. I wouldn’t wish their level of incompetence on my worst enemy!

I’ve been coming here for over 20 years and the entire medical staff has been nothing but professional in every respect. They treat me well, they are all very knowledgeable. They even know my quirks and are Always ready to assist me in all of my health issues.
In truth I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my health care.

I received a phone call today from the Castro Mission Health Center. Doctor Ireland accused me of attempting to refill a prescription for opiates. I explained that I had no need or interest in opiates and that all I wanted was a refill of Truvada in case of accidental exposure to HIV. I was then informed that I needed to come in «at my earliest convenience» to pee in a cup for a toxicology screen.

Frankly, I’m surprised by the level of invective among some of these reviews. I have never had anything but the best experiences with the staff at CMHC. A few times, when it’s been necessary for me to ask for something out-​of-​the-​ordinary to be done, people have cheerfully gone above and beyond.
Negative reviewers: perhaps staffers at CMHC are picking up on your bad attitudes, and *that’s* what’s setting them off. Be nice and appreciate the fact that you’re being provided with a service that’s low-​cost, or free to you.

I went to this clinic for my first Healthy SF appointment, on a weekday afternoon. The staff were all very friendly & helpful. Dr. Reyes was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and the medical assistant & phlebotomist were also great to work with.

You have to call the staff several times to make sure they’ve faxed your prescription and/​or referral. The doctors are aloof and the administrative staff (especially the guy in charge of Healthy SF) shows up hours late to work — always blaming the traffic.
It’s literally better to get no health care at all. At least then there isn’t the expectation that something is happening for you in the background.

Castro Mission Health Center is a better than decent facility with poor administrative logistics. My guess largely due to it’s lack of resources and large demand for .
received a nice reception when I signed in. The waiting room was alive with Was seen –1– minutes after appoint. Marta helped me get started with paper work. I found two clerical errors in the information she provided. She was very kind and helpful woth questions.
The person who checked my vitals was really really nice. She said she like the penguin on my shirt.
I have been waiting for Dr Dyner for about 10 minutes after vitals were taken.
Scheduling appointments here is kinda a nightmare. Don’t miss appointments because you’ll get bounced a number of weeks in the future and you’ll probably to have to to SF General.
I called today and was told that they are only taking appointments 24 hours in advance, that tomorrow was booked up, and to call the tomorrow to see if their is availability for the following day. I was astounded. I asked why and I was informed that they were updating their computer systems. Kinda crazy to make access to health care so difficult for a technical convenience but I’ve been jumping through hoops since joining SF Path and being placed at Castro Mission.

I’ve had my medical needs taken care of at Castro-​Health Center for a few years now. I’m grateful to them for many things. My doctor (Dr Price) has always been attentive; he explains things well and his diagnoses are always spot on. He has never just told me he can’t be bothered as happened with other reviewer, Helio.
CMHC is the busiest of all the public health clinics. And the system is stretched pretty thin what with funding cuts, and more people needing to enroll in Healthy SF. I’ve noticed an increase in wait times to get through to the receptionist or the «phone nurse,» but certainly no one has ever been rude to me.
We are very fortunate to live in San Francisco, where we can at least get medical care if we need it, at a reasonable price.

After my first visit, the doctor (Price) referred me to physical therapy. Great. He said I should call them to make my appointment. The problem is that they never received the referral fax. Here’s where it gets interesting. I try unsuccessfully for 2 days to get through to the receptionist at the Castro-​Mission Center. Finally, I found a direct number for the doctor, but he tells me, he can’t be bothered with such things I need to call the receptionist. This morning I got through to the receptionist (12 mins wait), but then she transfers me to the advice nurse (after 20 mins wait) the phone is answered by the receptionist again who transfers me to the nurse again…
I do get through (15mins), and he says he’ll leave a message for the doctor.
Who knows what will happen now???

The most unprofessional, unhelpful staff. They apparently have a new system in place that doesn’t allow the doctor to have more than a few appointments booked at a time. Twice in the past couple months I called Castro Mission Health Center and the front desk receptionist says, in her very hard to understand broken English, that there are no appointments. What?! Why? what am I supposed to do? I need to see my doctor. «No. Sorry.» Is all the explanation I get. I refuse to just be brushed off so rudely with no explanation. There has to be someone who can help me understand why I can’t make an appointment or how I can make an appointment with my doctor or another doctor. Each time I was put on hold and after 35 minutes on hold (It is quite normal to be placed on hold for more than an hour with Castro Mission), I am transferred to someone who isn’t even in the clinic and can’t help. They say to call the Castro Mission phone line and select the ‘make an appointment’ option. Yes! I know! I just did that and 40 minutes later I’m on the phone with you and you can’t help me. So frustrating. So infuriating. This is what aggravates stress and anxiety and ultimately makes peoples health issues worse! This kind of un-​professionalism makes people sicker! I understand that the staff may have to deal with all sorts of crazy personalities and maybe they are jaded but guess what, that’s the profession you chose. You chose to help people in need. So why do I feel like I’m being treated like a piece of shit that isn’t worth the time when I call Castro Mission Health?

I was assigned to this clinic by Healthy S.F. when I moved back to the neighborhood. The people here were unhelpful if not downright rude. They refused to make a new patient appointment for me. I understand that they were booked but I was running out of high blood pressure meds which due to a kidney disease I have puts me in danger of having a stroke.
Nobody in this facility seemed to care that they were my primary care center and that I desperately needed to have my meds refilled. I was assigned to this clinic so that I could pick up my prescriptions at Walgreen’s and not have to miss hours (or days) of work standing in line at S.F. General’s pharmacy.
I had to contact Healthy San Francisco’s headquarters and file a grievance to be assigned to a new clinic that was willing to help me and understood the gravity of my situation. My caseworker at Healthy S.F. told me she was unable to get through on the phone to Castro-​Mission Health Center when she called to see if they could make an exception and allow me to pick up my meds. I was told that they wouldn’t do that until I had had a new patient appointment and that they weren’t making appointments. When Healthy S.F. called Castro-​Mission the second time nobody was even answering the phone at 3:15 in the afternoon.
I’m completely aware that I’m fortunate to live in San Francisco, a city I love, and to have Healthy San Francisco as my medical care. I have received top notch care at S.F. General and the Haight Ashbury Free clinic so I expected similar treatment with any facility affiliated with Healthy S.F. Judging from the treatment I received (or didn’t receive) as the case may be the Castro-​Mission Health Center could care less weather I live or die.