Alta Dermatology Group
| Category: | Skin Care Clinic |
| Address: | 130 S 63rd St, Mesa, AZ 85206, USA |
| Phone: | +1 480-981-2888 |
| Site: | altaderm.com |
| Rating: | 2.2 |
| Working: | 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM Closed Closed |
Location
Alta Dermatology Group: A Closer Look at Reviews
Location and Services
Alta Dermatology Group is a skin care clinic located at 130 S 63rd St, Mesa, AZ 85206, USA. They offer a range of dermatological services and operate from 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
Overall Rating
The clinic has an overall rating of 2.2, which suggests that the experience varies significantly among patients.
Table of Reviews Summary
| Aspect | Positive Reviews | Negative Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Professionalism of Doctors | High praise for Dr. Kessler and Dr. Sawyer | None mentioned |
| Staff Behavior | None mentioned | Rude, unprofessional, and dismissive |
| Appointment Scheduling | None mentioned | Difficulties in scheduling, last-minute cancellations |
| Wait Time | None mentioned | Long waiting times reported |
| Payment and Insurance | None mentioned | Issues with insurance validation and upfront payment |
Doctors: The Silver Lining
Patients have generally spoken highly of the doctors, particularly Dr. Kessler and Dr. Sawyer. They are described as professional, attentive, and excellent in their field. Dr. Kessler, for instance, is praised for remembering his patients and asking about their lives during visits.
Staff Behavior: A Thorny Issue
The staff at Alta Dermatology Group has received a lot of criticism. Patients describe them as rude, unprofessional, and dismissive. Issues range from poor customer service at the front desk to difficulties in appointment scheduling.
Appointment Scheduling: A Hurdle to Cross
Several patients have reported issues with appointment scheduling. Some mention that their appointments were canceled last minute and rescheduled, causing inconvenience. Others found the staff uncooperative when trying to schedule appointments, especially if there were changes in insurance.
Wait Time: Patience Required
Long waiting times seem to be a common complaint among patients. Some have had to wait for over an hour past their appointment time to be seen. This has been a significant point of dissatisfaction.
Payment and Insurance: A Maze to Navigate
Patients have reported issues related to payment and insurance. Some were asked upfront about their mode of payment, and there were instances where the staff was not willing to validate insurance status. This has led to uncomfortable situations and has been cited as a reason for seeking services elsewhere.
Tips for Future Patients
- Try to get the first appointment of the day or at 1:30 PM to avoid long wait times.
- Be prepared for potential issues with appointment scheduling and insurance validation.
- If you value customer service, be cautious as the staff has received multiple negative reviews.
Photos 1
Reviews 8
LA
laura alvey
I had an uncomfortable and unprofessional experience with a staff member at the front counter. I didnt have a "current"(2016) insurance card on me. I explained that I hadnt gotten an insurance card for 2016 from my provider but that that nothing had changed insurance wise. The conversation then changed to how I intended to pay? I stated that generally the insurance settles the claims and pays via an electronic debit from my MRA account. I explained that I dont pay for copays at the time of the visit. I was advised that I would need to pay before I was seen, and this was accompanied with a snarky "Thats how we do business here..." statement. I told the gal that it even says not to collect payment on my card. I offered my insurance card so that she could validate my current insurance status. She refused my card and said it wasnt a current card. I made a quick call to my insurance company to request a new card and to have them validate my status. I was then asked to step out of the office by that gal, as no cell calls were permitted. So I went out front. I brought my insurance agent up to speed and went back in as my insurance representative asked to speak with the provider to confirm my insurance status. The gal up front said she doesnt talk to insurance, thats handled by the group that handles billing and she turned arround and walked out of sight. I stood there unsure what was needed at that point. I let my insurance agent go and sat back down and continued to wait to be seen. The gal called me back up to the front counter and asked how much I had in my MRA (*not discretely) because my insurance provider wouldnt tell them how much I have and without thinking I told her. She said "Okay" and walks away and I dont see her again... eventually I am called back for my appointment. This interaction left a bad taste. Ultimatley customer service is make or break factor. Communication is easy and is essential to maintain a relationship. I like my Dr. I cant stand to think of having to deal with this gal upfront. Frankly its none of her business how much I have in my MRA and Im still uncertain as to why any of this was even an issue on her end.
DA
Danny Bersch
Ive been seeing Dr. Kessler for years, and he has always been the consummate professional. He is not only excellent as a doctor, but he remembers me as a person and asks about things in my life that weve discussed on previous visits. Absolutely top notch. But, I have always fought the staff. The staff at Alta Dermatology are the absolute antithesis of customer service. They are rude and only marginally competent. I just got off the phone with an obtuse scheduler who refused to schedule my appointment because my insurance will be different next year than it is now. I still have valid insurance, mind you, and I made it clear that I understood that I was responsible for payment, but she wouldnt use my current insurance to schedule. Heres the kicker: I already have an appointment a month further out, and I get to keep that one. Its nothing but plain old obtuse bureaucratic bull. Ive had it; as much as I *really* like Dr. Kessler, Im shopping for another dermatology practice. Ill not put up with this nonsense any more.
ST
Steve Berg
After making an appointment at Alta Dermatology and having been assured that they had a contract with my health insurance provider, I received a phone call from their office several days later asking how I intended to pay for my visit. I explained that since I had not reached my deductible for this year that I would be paying with my health savings account. In an incredibly rude tone and curt language she said that they did not have a contract with my provider and they needed to know how I would pay. If you want to avoid deceptive business practices and rude treatment, I suggest that you avoid this clinic, I certainly will. In light of the fact that another patient was billed for an appointment she cancelled, I want to document that I cancelled my appointment at 3:31 on Friday, October 31st for an appointment scheduled for Monday, November 3rd. I spoke with a pleasant person named Melissa who was far more professional than the gal that called me regarding payment.
HO
Holly DuPuis
If I could only give ZERO stars. The worst patient services ever. I called to sched an appt for my fiancé who hasnt been seen since 2013. I spoke to Sylvia who treated me as if I was an inconvenience for calling and asking to sched him an appt and give billing information. Let me explain that his mother had called the week prior to update the insurance information. Sylvia proceeded to schedule my fiance for a new patient appointment with such an attitude I wanted to cancel but my fiance might have skin cancer! Thats a big deal to me! Im so upset I with her rudeness I will be calling his insurance to find someone else in network but keeping this Dec appt as a backup because its his first choice. :( please get nicer people on the phones...people that actually care about the patient and their families.
MA
Matthew Straszewski
had a 945am appt on 10/27/2014 got there 15 min early, waited till 10am, when other people walked up to the counter and said they had been waiting for 45mins, large clerk was very nasty telling people on front of me we have 4providers here all patients arnt just seeing one doctor, as it was all 4 customers where waiting to see dr sawyer, he was a good hour behind and there was about 5people in waiting not busy as i have seem it in the past. if doctor is behind tell the patients, dont be nasty at us. I left, im not sitting there for another hour, no excuse not to tell customers, thats the nastiest ive seem staff be. Richard Straszewski
ME
Mekenna Mashore
I absolutely love Dr. Sawyer and his MA! They have always worked hard toward helping me achieve flawless skin. That being said, their office staff is just terrible. I tried to make an appointment and the clerk was incredibly rude. She hung up on me while I was trying to find a day that worked, as if I was an inconvenience or took too long. As a medical professional myself, I find it incredibly disheartening that people are going to stop going to such a good dermatologist because the staff is always so hard to work with.
JA
Jason Tor
The soonest appointment was three weeks out, a few days before they cancelled the appointment and re-scheduled it. I showed up early like I was asked to and filled out the paperwork only to be kept waiting for almost an hour after my appointment time. Then I was told I still wasnt going to be seen for at least another 20 minutes. Maybe this doctor missed the time management class in medical school. I dont know if he is a good doctor however he cant manage time at all. So if you work, just call off the rest of the day.
RA
Randy Sneed
Dr. Kessler is an excellent physician, he always remembers me and is aware of prior treatments. I continue to see Dr. Kessler even though the front office is often rude and dismissive of the value of my time. Several times I have had to wait over an hour to be seen. At the end of the day I will suffer the front office in order to receive the best care from Dr. Kessler. Try to get the first appointment of the day or at 1300, those times seem to be the best to avoid the long wait in the waiting room.