Lisa Higa's Online Review Report Card

I'm glad I did not read the negative reviews before I was referred to Dr HigaNow, after my procedure, when I went to write a review, and read some of the reviews, I was shocked as my experience with Dr. Higa, Anne, and the Walnut Creek clinic staff, was very, very positive.My mother died of colon cancer in 1975, ( I was 33) and I have had sigmoidoscopy, barium enemas, and colonoscopies with 5 different doctors (Rancho Mirage, CA) and as of today, Dr. Higa is at the top of the list for excellent treatment, and the sincere physical and emotional care before and after my procedure. I was shocked at the reviews and feel Yelp should organize the reviews by date. My review and one other completed in 2021, should be listed first,  and wonder why negative reviews from 2017 and 2018 are still the first reviews that you read.In my 40 plus years experience with Proctologists and Gastroenterologists , I highly recommend Dr. Higa and her staff

Ihighly recommend Dr. Higa. She did a colonoscopy for me at the East Bay Endoscopy Center. She answered all of my questions prior to the procedure. She was very thorough, and explained that she removes all polyps for biopsy, my last MD did not do that and only removed the ones he felt might be problematic. Dr. Higa does not take the risk that her judgment might be incorrect. The procedure went very smoothly and her check-in right after the procedure was reassuring. She also right then provided me with a two page report on my colon, including many pictures, for my later reference. The intake staff and nurses at the Center were efficient, friendly and informative. The anesthesiologist did an excellent job. He gave just enough to put me to sleep during the procedure and yet little enough that I woke up right after the procedure was completed and I was still in the procedure room. I did not feel sleepy for the rest of the day.

I saw Dr. Higa at the recommendation of another doctor. I'm sure she may be very skilled and competent. But my experience with her was that she didn't communicate well. I saw her for an office visit and she subsequently did an endoscopy and colonoscopy. And later a breath test. It took me well over a month, after multiple attempts to get her or someone in her office, to find out the results of the breath test. She never contacted me to discuss it and had her staff tell me they were ordering the antibiotics. I didn't go back to her and switched. After looking through my records to compare my newer endoscopy with my results from hers, I discovered she never sent me the pathology results. Nor discussed the results. Again, she may be very good. However, I'd like someone to talk to me about what's going on with my body.

I have a long history of gastro issues including Crohn’s disease. After the sudden death of my long time Gastroentrinologist, I was given the recommendation of Dr. Higa by my primary physician. I found Dr. Higa to be a great listener, and a very knowledgeable physician. She spent a great deal of time with me, both at my initial visit and my post colonoscopy and endoscopy appointment. The procedures themselves were very well explained. I would also give the surgical team and the surgical center 5 stars. I feel I am far more knowledgeable about my condition than ever before. I am very pleased with my new Gastroentrinologist! I know there were a few comments about staff. I was in the Walnut Creek office and found the staff both friendly and helpful.

Before I was referred to Dr. Lisa Higa for routine screening, I was initially sent to another gastroenterologist.  But, before seeing that doctor, I was frightened away when a stranger stopped me at the elevator with a horror story.  So, I was a bit apprehensive to see anyone;  however, I was reassured on my visit with Dr. Higa. Dr. Higa explained the procedure, instructed me on what I needed to do to ensure getting through the procedure easily, actively listened to my concerns and answered all my questions.  She was great and I highly recommend her.

I wish I would have given credit to these negative reviews before I wasted my time! After waiting on hold for 33 mins to even speak to anyone I was sternly told by Linda that I could not see the Dr before my first time procedure! I told her then Dr Higa is not for me and dialed the next Dr on my referral list.  Wow! what a different response I got with that phone call that took less than 5 mins total!  Don't even bother calling this Dr office.

Wow. I can't believe the previous negative reviews pertain to Dr. Higa!  I have been seeing her for 5 years and have not had anything but a superior experience.  She is thorough, personable, and extremely caring.  All the interactions I've had with her staff have been quite professional.

Holy shit! If the woman answering the phone is any indication this is hell in a doctor's office. It's as if it's her job to make everything as difficult as possible on you. She's a parody of what an unhelpful office worker is on SNL.

I have been seeing Dr Higa for 7 years or so, and I have found her to be excellent in every way.

Dr Higa is a lovely person and a competent doctor. The problem I have is that she is a network doctor through Aetna's network, but the facilities where she does her colonoscopy procedures (both Emeryville and Walnut Creek) are NOT within Aetna's network. No one at her office including Dr Higa mentioned that, so when I got a bill for $2600.00 after the fact, because the facility isn't "in-network," I was angry. When I contacted Nicole Coupe (Dr Higa's procedure/appointment coordinator, since she said I couldn't email Dr Higa directly,) to complain, I got no response. Just be careful to check with your insurance company once you find out where she is scheduling your procedure, to ask them if the facility as well as the doctor is in-network. Otherwise you will feel screwed as well as colonoscopied.