Ucsf Psoriasis And Skin Treatment Center's Online Review Report Card

Service date: February 10, 2025 Service type: Routine skin cancer screening Insurance: Blue Cross / Blue Shield PPO Cost: $733 (all out-of-pocket) I met with Dr. Waul for about 25 minutes. He visually inspected some irregular moles and sun spots, and concluded none were likely to be cancerous. He was courteous, knowledgable, and professional, and his demeanor was reassuring. I paid a $35 co-pay at sign-in and received a surprise $698 bill a month later. The appointment had been coded as "moderately complex diagnostic." Insurance refused to cover because of that billing code, and UCSF refused to do a billing code review.

Very friendly staff. Parking available.

As a patient with chronic plaque psoriasis since the age of 12, when I moved to SF from the South Bay I was expecting fine treatment from a UCSF center. Woooof. Horrible treatment from everyone except the doctors, who are perfunctory. I have been treated so poorly here (and at the new location on Divisadero) in regards to lack of empathy, common courtesy, follow up, and general medical practice expectations. The receptionists in my experience are curt, impatient, and uncomfortably rude. I understand that they are busy, but guess what?! ALL OFFICES ARE BUSY. In my industry I am incredibly busy too. That said, I treat all people with respect and kindness. You'd think people who are coming in for treatment for a painful medical condition might be treated with a modicum of kindness, not just as cattle to herd through. Prior authorizations were a nightmare and were always an issue so I got behind on my biologics. In turn I gave up and got one of the worst flare ups of my life. I've gotten zero phone calls to follow up on my doses. I tried to schedule an emergency appointment and in response to "it's a really serious flare", I was met with zero compassion and was offered an appointment two months out. A joke. I have gone back to my regular dermatologist in the South Bay at the Menkes Clinic, where all the staff and doctors are top notch, wonderful people, and give medical CARE. When I had a virtual visit with my regular doctor, she saw my skin and immediately ordered biologics samples and told me to come in as soon as I could and she would squeeze me in. That is true care for a patient who is suffering. The two hour trip with traffic is worth not having to deal with this sort of negligence. AVOID.

Most reviews here are more than 4 years old, so here's what to know about visiting this place: DON'T. My regular dermatologist (a rockstar) suggested that I visit this place for phototherapy. I started calling to set that up in November of 2019. On the rare occasion that someone actually picked up, I was told that "the scheduler" (yes, they have exactly one person who schedules appointments) was "out of the office" and would call me back. More often, the clinic's answering service would pick up - during business hours, around 2 or 4 p.m. - and lazily take a message. Once, the person taking my message audibly yawned. When I finally reached "The Scheduler" on a call in early January, I'd already given up and started going to another clinic for phototherapy. I was purely making the appointment to close the circle with my dermatologist: she'd insisted that THIS, for some reason, was the place I needed to go. So I got my appointment, in February of this year. Remember February? When most doctors already understood that COVID-19 was a thing? This place didn't! There was no hand sanitizer anywhere near the door or at reception. (Thank God I had gloves with me.) But it all gets so much worse. It's not just that the counter and chairs were dirty; it's that the entire setup was a mess. I was led through the office to get to exam rooms. There's a whole section of the clinic in the back, where it seems at least some staff are hiding - yes, actually hiding. (More on the back of the clinic later.) The first clinician (a doctor? who knows?) who spoke to me kept getting both my name and my age wrong, after I reminded him of both several times. Then the doctor (when she showed up) gave me no new information, did no exam, had no advice, prescribed nothing, and was visibly relieved when I told her I was already getting phototherapy elsewhere. We just sort of ... chatted. Both of them, doctor and whoever the other guy was, kept pushing me to participate in a clinical trial, which would involve "a blood draw." I finally said okay, fine, I'll do it. The clinician who couldn't remember my name led me back through reception into what was apparently the clinic break room. Behind the break room was another large room, where about 5 or 6 visibly ill people were lying in hospital beds. He led me through this room too. Remember: this is February, the early days of a global pandemic; he's not wearing gloves at this point, and neither am I. I was literally walking through a room full of sick people. It is the creepiest thing I have ever seen in a medical setting - and at my big age of 53, I have seen some creepy medical things. The place where I did the blood draw (it was actually 5 blood draws; I don't know why they needed 5 vials of my blood, but whatever) was another break room of some kind. Boxes and crates were stacked everywhere. Again, I did not see any hand sanitizer, so I tried not to touch anything. By then, I just wanted the whole thing to be done, so I could get out of there and go to work. Then: What Happens After. I got the bill: $575, for my little chat with that one doctor. (They ran my insurance card, but apparently didn't bill it?) For comparison, my real dermatologist charged me $250 for a procedure in which she removed a lesion from my back. I know what things cost. This place is a monstrous ripoff. To add idiotic insult to injury, I got a call from the clinic this morning. They needed to know "whether I want to refill my prescriptions." What? WHAT PRESCRIPTIONS? Did anyone here take so much as a note? Were they even looking at MY chart when they made this call? I would bet that entire $575 bill that they were not. In normal times, I'd just say: Skip this place. Save yourself time and money. But these aren't normal times, and this clinic is not in any way a normal medical setting. It's weird, chaotic, and dangerous. Don't just save your money and time. Save YOURSELF.

Do not do tar treatment if you have asthma or lung disease. The fumes are very strong. I did and the treatment negatively affected my health.

Wonderful, caring, professional, informative nurses at the photo therapy center... made me feel cared for...

I had a biopsy about a week ago and was told my results would be available in about two days, possibly three, if the dermopathology lab was particularly busy. It is now fully 8 days after my biopsy was performed, and I have not heard anything about my results other than "they have come in," from a receptionist at the office. I have called repeatedly and left messages saying that I would be happy to speak to an RN or a physician's assistant if Dr. Ghadially is busy, and I have still heard nothing. Called Patient Relations this afternoon and the person who took my complaint told me my concerns would be forwarded to the office, but I'm still waiting. I even called the MyChart office to ask if I was hassling the office staff for no reason. I thought that maybe it could take up to a week for lab results to post, but nope! Even if you sign up for MyChart the day before lab results are ready, they can be posted to your chart as soon as they are available. And according to the dermopathology website (and Dr. Ghadially herself!), lab results are generally ready in 48 hours, so I really don't understand what's up. I just want to know if I have cancer.

Wow. This place is amazing. The RNs are incredibly nice and knowledgeable, and make taking off all your clothes and having someone examine your entire body feel very natural. So far, all appointments have run on time. And everyone absolutely loves my service dog, Linus. I've been miserable with severe eczema for four months and finally feel I have what I hope can put it in remission. Hopefully your insurance and schedule can accommodate treatment here.

I developed a rash on my face and neck, and it was not fun. Once I got insurance I was determined to have it checked out. Was able to make an appointment for just a few days away. Office staff was extremely kind. I was the first appt of the day and was seen in minutes. Dr Kwok was very nice and thorough. Made a diagnosis quickly, prescribed meds and instructions for skin care. I was in and out. Total time at clinic under 30 minutes. One week later and I was nearly 100%. A month gone by, I am free of skin rash and embarrassment. Just wish I had gone sooner, but w/o insurance I was hesitant. Can't say enough good things about the people in this office and the care I received. Thank you!

I have been going to UCSF Psoriasis & Skin Treatment Center since 2008 for phototherapy treatment, and since 2013 for Goeckerman (tar) treatment of my chronic & severe eczema, and Dr. Koo and his staff have been lifesavers. I previously hated dermatologists because they always pushed aggressive treatments that ended up causing more long-term damage rather than any relief. Thankfully Dr. Koo and his team are very patient and understanding, and helps me make decisions about my own health. The nurses, in particular Mark from phototherapy & Sarah from Goeckerman, are the kindest people I have ever met, and they can put me at ease in seconds even during my worst flare-up. I highly recommend the Goeckerman program as the tar is the most helpful treatment I have used in the 30+ years I have suffered from eczema.