Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care's Online Review Report Card

Doctor is great, facility is good, but the practice and service is bad, they never answer the phone, very frustrating, unfortunately Ill be looking to switch because of the poor service.

Care here is mediocre. I am a young healthy person who typically only comes for primary care appointments with Dr. Urman. I am a nurse in acute care so I have more knowledge in health matters than the typical patient. As a nurse working night to day shift and random days each week I told her how challenging it is to eat healthy, especially under the stress that a nurse faces. She smiled and said "just try." She doesn't talk much and when I ask questions she seems unsure. One time I came to see Dr. Cooper for a leg injury. I asked if I should receive any imagining and she sprung into how unnecessary she thought it was. I nodded and wanted to agree with her medical opinion but she kept sarcastically saying "If you think it is so important than you can get the imagining, it is really up to you!" She went on like that for a few minutes even though I really just was going to take whatever advice she had. It was a completely bizarre interaction. Most recently I was charged a copay during my primary care appointment. I called and asked about the charge and was given the run around, I then called my insurance company, and then billing, only to be told to call the office again to question the charge. The desk employee was obnoxious in tone and rude in addressing my concern for being billed inappropriately. I asked to speak to the manager and to this day have not received a call from them. The entitlement of the staff at this office is repulsive. The new interior of the office is appealing but it is a facade for the lack of quality care and compassion towards patients. Additionally unfortunate, I am a nurse at BIDMC being treated poorly by my own company.

I so value Dr. Emsbo as my physician and the staff has always been courteous and efficient.

I had a pulmonary test today My tech George was so kind to Me Not an easy test but with his nice way And encouragement I got thru it So grateful

I am truly shocked to see any negative reviews of Dr. Emsbo. I have been a patient of hers for the past 18 plus years as have my sister and mother. I can honestly say she gives 100% attention to a my concerns and to me on a personal level. She truly has more medical knowledge than any other doctor I have seen. As another reviewer mentioned, she concentrates on the health of a person through diet, exercise and medication when necessary and is never makes you feel bad about any issues you bring to her. Highly recommend her!

Dr. Emsbo is wonderful - thorough, knowledgeable, committed.

The Worst! Discriminated! No service-mind here! Doctors are lunatic; Receptionist are rude & unethical. Drs don't listen to patients; receptionists cancelled my appointment on the same day and just said "Sorry" and hung up the phone! Leave Here Please for yourself! Further: I had to change the PCP from Nancy Cooper to Yana Urman because of Nancy's wrong ugly practices. Then, on my appointment date the receptionist Brook, like a bulldog, simply cancelled my appointment and hung up the phone. Whenever I called for the further explanation, all what I had was busy signals... No service mind there! You will hurt yourself once there!

I'm surprised to see negative reviews of this place, so I'm motivated to leave a review. I've been going to BIDHC Newton Centre for three years, where I see Dr. Kari Emsbo as my primary care physician. Dr. Emsbo is trained in functional medicine and takes a conservative approach to prescribing medication (though certainly prescribes it when necessary). She focuses on diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes, and looks at the whole picture rather than just the symptoms. She's especially good for digestion and allergy concerns and has referred me to very highly qualified specialists for nutrition consultation, immune health, and other services. She even listens to me when I come up with harebrained ideas from the internet to explain my mystery symptoms (though she rightly isn't always convinced by them!). I feel fortunate to have found a doctor with her training in my insurance network. The staff has always been courteous and professional and make an effort to get me an appointment when the matter is urgent. I also appreciate the follow-up phone calls I receive from the nurses. I've not seen the other doctors there, but I highly recommend Dr. Emsbo and the practice.

She insisted that I take a prescription for an antibiotic after she told me that I did not have an infection. She told me that my symptoms were likely caused by inflammation. When I told her I was already being treated for chronic inflammation by a Dr. She knew, she completely dismissed what I had to say. I explained that my inflammation was caused by doctors over prescribing antibiotics, but she still insisted I take the script. She strongly pushed for me to go to another doctor who had recently joined her practice, "for a chat session." I told her I really didn't think that would be helpful and she repeatedly stated that people had wonderful results. When I tried leaving the prescription behind on the counter as I left ( I told her several times, I was not intrested in taking something I didn't need) She grabbed the prescription from the counter and aggressively shoved it into my hand, insisting again that I take it with me. She is a very rude and aggressive woman who speaks down to her patients. She has a one track mind and is unwilling to listen to what her patients have to say. In my opinion she has an "extreme God complex" and thinks that she is better than other doctors with more experience and better track records. I've met multiple people who have gone to her and had negative things to say. I suspect this is why after several years of practice, she still has openings for new patients.

Their secretaries are the rudest human beings in the world. If you ask a question they will shut you down and yell the same answer over and over and will not try to listen. Worst experience ever.