Ucla Neuropsychiatric And Biobehavioral Health Services's Online Review Report Card

The treatment myself and my daughters with Dr Siegel was life changing

My experience was absolutely disastrous. The attendee & intern in the UCLA Movement Disorders clinic - which took 6 months to get an appointment in - ALMOST CERTAINLY MISDIAGNOSED ME with cervical dystonia. The only treatment that the Movement Disorders clinic offered for the alleged dystonia was Botox injections. With each injection, the tightness & pain in my neck grew worse. But they kept saying that I needed more Botox. I trusted them because of UCLA's reputation. I really like *most* of the doctors I've been referred to at UCLA. But wow, I'm SORRY I TRUSTED MOVEMENT DISORDERS. I HAD NEVER HAD TO TAKE MUSCLE RELAXANT MEDICATION UNTIL AFTER THE BOTOX SHOTS STARTED. This is medication that I may now need to take for the rest of my life (I am 53). I also now need to take 3 Norco just to get through each day. I now have a much more thoughtful neurologist. Instead of rushing to judgment, she has taken a cautious, step-by-step approach to my issues. DO NOT LET ANYONE AT UCLA MOVEMENT DISORDERS TREAT YOU WITHOUT GETTING A SECOND OPINION. They are devoid of explanations as to what to do next once their (only) treatment fails. And it's not about quality care - it's about training their junior doctors. Despite their "friendly" demeanors, you will be treated much more like an animal or other test subject than a human being. In retrospect, this should have been obvious, given that they always have people in the waiting room pushing you to participate clinical trials on each and every visit. Even the other doctors I have visited at UCLA roll their eyes when I discuss UCLA neurology. One even told me, "I've never seen a good neurologist at UCLA." One wonders how this place even stays in business - it probably has more to do with UCLA as an institution, because the Movement Disorders Clinic - for me, at least - was an absolute, unmitigated disaster.

Cheaper parking in Westwood is at the UPPER LEVEL WHOLE FOODS PARKING. Make sure you DO NOT park in the lower level because you will be ticketed. The upper lot is managed by Academy Parking and when you explain that you can be back in under 3 hrs from an important medical appt the attendant can charge $10 instead of $15.

Was seen by Dr. Bergen some time ago. She looked at the test results that didn't reveal the problem, didn't suggest any other tests, and then we had this conversation. "Are you depressed?" "No, I am not" "Well, of course you're going to say that". Right, it's much easier to suggest the patient is a head case and a liar than to work on a proper diagnosis. It took me some time to find a different doctor who sent me to do a lumbar puncture and then actually diagnosed me with intracranial hypertension, but this conversation still lives in my head. And probably always will.

I realize I wrote I was quoted 2 weeks wait, and 3 weeks later. That should read 3 months later, not 3 weeks. I was quoted 2 weeks, and 3 months went by at the time of this yelp review.

My advice for potential patients would be not to rely on UCLA's excellent reputation, at least for the Neurology Dept. I brought my son here over 15 years ago, also for neurology. It was WONDERFUL! That has really changed!!! Their Tag line is "We listen. We care." That is the opposite of the truth. "At least for the coordination of tests and services, it should be more like: "We are highly segmented. We do what we do and WE HAVE ZERO REGARD FOR THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME FOR THE PATIENT. We don't consult the computer for the info. you've already given us. Instead, we prefer to make false assumptions. We don't consider anything you say and we really wish you'd not bother us by coming here." The Westwood facilities are beautiful and they probably have many excellent doctors...if you could only access them. The coordination people are A HOSTILE NIGHTMARE. No one seems to know who does what or in what department that is located. They don't give you a proper referral to an actual doctor. You have to try to find out in what department a doctor with that specialty is located, If you are actually successful in making an appointment (I BIG IF), then waits are at least 6 months long to find out you need a different specialist with another 6 month wait. Unfortunately, the doctor assigned to us (who is leaving) was like trying to communicate with a badly programmed chat bot. It was hopeless! I had so hoped for World Class Medicine from the exalted UCLA because my son truly needs a talented specialist. What we got was extreme disorganization and dis-coordination, hostility and no real help. I thought about addressing UCLA directly, but based on what I've seen on YELP, like so much at UCLA, that seems like it would be another exercise in futility. Management must know how things run and apparently, that's okay with them.

The doctors are fine-great even-but the office staff? Horrible. From the Office/Practice Manager to coordinators to the front desk staff, the lack of communication for any forms or medications from specialty pharmacies-the incompetence is astounding. Do expect delays and inaction. Save yourself the trouble and find different doctors. Even if the doctors don't have the credentials that the UCLA team does at least you will receive care and medications you need to navigate your issue. Absolute do not recommend-find another practice.

The neurology department does not appear to care about their patients' needs and is training the next generation of doctors in this regard. I have had multiple times including the present where they fail to ensure medication is sent to the pharmacy. This time they just refused to fill after 10 days of failing to respond to the pharmacy. When I attempted to follow up they deny the medication now overdue claiming an appointment is needed. But they never responded to an email a week ago to even tell me this. I've now made the appointment and they still haven't filled it. I say this is a department failure because I have emailed, called and sent the prescription refill through the pharmacy and myself, all separate channels of responders. This is malpractice to cut a patient off from their regular medication without a care of what could occur without receiving their medication. And I'm a diligent patient too who makes appointments and attends them. I've complained in the past it seems it's time to move away from ucla. I fought so hard to get in to obtain care and it's causing me more stress because I have to follow up repeatedly to convince them to their job. You cannot make an appointment online, even if you are an established patient but their stupid automated message you listen to while waiting on hold for ten minutes to make an appointment with the scheduler, repeatedly tells you to handle all issues including appointments online in my chart, which is not an option for this department. Then the scheduler finally answers but she doesn't have access to their calendar! That was another 10 minutes. Each appointment is not even with the provider, it's always a student and you're then hoping that one will put in the orders. Lash appointment I had to follow up 4 times to get a prescription filled. My doctor is supposed to be Dr Kamins, but he allows his clinic to be so poorly run. Time to go to USC or cedars where I will receive quality care.

Kimberly, I have been trying to recoup the monies I've paid to your clinic /hospital while i was waiting for my SSDi appeal. I won my appeal, sent the information to your billing dept and never received a refund . I attempted to contact them multiple times and never got anywhere . You owe me several hundred dollars . I'm taking this back to SSA & CMS for reimbursement . The fact that you charged me regardless while i was in an ssdi appeal and told your billing dept that they have to reimburse me so get to cutting those checks . Dates of service 6-2018 to 7-2021 you need to refund ALL SERVICES , co-pays etc as I was given SSDI benefits dating back to 6/2018.

I have been seeing Multiple Sclerosis Doctors at UCLA Westwood for 10 years. I do not recommend the current doctor Kevin Patel. At my last annual visit I did not receive any physical exam from either Dr. Patel or the Intake intern. Dr. Patel spoke to me for only a few minutes while he stood in the doorway. I was unable to ask any questions. He offered nothing and dismissed what I had to say before hearing me. It was the worst appointment I have ever experienced.