Which Primary Care in the East Bay?

I've never had a PCP in my adult life - I've used One Medical and Carbon Health in the past as needed (strep throat, yeast infections, etc). I loved my OBGYN team at Sutter East Bay, but when I tried to see a provider in the Sutter system for a non-pregnancy related issue, it was an absolute mess. 

Now that I'm in my early 40s and wanting to take charge of my health for the next phase of my life, I'm looking for a PCP who will treat me like a person, spend time with me, and be proactive about preventative care. I do a lot of "alternative" wellness support like acupuncture, chiropractic work, and Chinese herbal medicine, and I'd like a PCP who can accommodate that part of my health care approach. 

I'm specifically looking to do a full physical and testing for hormone levels, potential vitamin deficiencies, and any other screenings a woman approaching menopause may need to have done. 

We have Blue Shield (Covered CA) insurance.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Does anyone have advice about a good one-stop-shopping way in ADDITION to Berkeley Parents Network to find existing community reviews of East Bay doctors, or where you can ask for recommendations for help with a particular issue or specialty? The recommendations here are super-helpful, but as I age out of the "active-parenting" category, I wonder if there's any broader source for this than a parents' group. (Just searching the internet rarely turns up anything that feels reliable, and Yelp reviews feel like current patients who are afraid to give less than 5 stars, mixed with people who are giving 1 star because they're mad about a slight.) I'm interested in Kaiser in particular, but "general doctors that include Kaiser" would be good enough.

Thanks!

We moved here a couple years ago and I've been consistently horrified by the health care system(s) here. Our experience has been primarily with Sutter, with a few out of network exceptions (equally bad). After going through a pregnancy and dealing with other family health issues, I'm wondering if we're just not dialed in, because I can't imagine that what we've experienced is broadly accepted as normal (but maybe it is?). For context, we have a Blueshield of CA PPO plan paid for out-of-pocket (we're self-employed) and sometimes wonder why we have insurance at all because we can rarely access health care when we need it. Example - for a fairly routine but potentially serious postpartum health issue, I was told by both my Sutter gyn and PCP that the next available appointment is in Sept (it's May) and to go to Urgent Care. Urgent Care told me to just go to the ER.

The issue was urgent but did not rise to the level of requiring an ER visit and I imagine the ER is clogged with relatively minor issues because more often than not, that's where I've been directed for pretty much anything that requires same-day but not emergency care. We've also needed urgent assistance on the weekends that could be easily resolved with an on-call nurse able to assess and write a prescription if needed. But of course, Sutter will just refer me to the ER for this. I don't think we have the option of switching to Kaiser until Oct (and not sure that's the best option) and have been referred to OneMedical, but reviews aren't stellar. We take our kids to Berkeley Pediatrics and we're in LOVE with their practice and in an ideal world, would be able to find the same thing for adults. 

Questions are: Does anyone know of/have a great family practice that offers an after-hours number to call for urgent but non ER issues AND who takes Blue Shield of CA? 

                        Any recommendations for a ob-gyn practice where appointments aren't booked months out and that also offers after-hours assistance (and takes BSofCA)? 

Thanks for reading.

Sadly, my primary care doctor of 20+ years has just retired. So, I'm looking for someone new. Preferably someone who is caring and a good communicator and with a kind, competent office staff as well. I'm wondering whether anyone has any recent experience with Dr. Carolyn Klebanoff, Dr. Deena Neff, Dr. Anthony Jones or Dr. Andrew Ross? Thanks so much for your help and advice!

I am trying to help a good friend who is suffering severely from several disorders. Severe skin issue, hearing or ear issues some mental weakness, depressive and in difficult home environment..

He is from Israel and has a heavy accent. He is not much being helped by Kaiser. I thought that a doctor or practitioner in his own language might be very helpful for this friend. Chinese medicine or other natural approaches would be welcome.. I want to find someone who can actually be interested in this persons complex trouble and take him on to heal with a loving mind.

If you can think of anybody, please let me know. Thank you

My long time primary care doc is leaving to work on policy issues, so I'm looking for a new one in the East Bay (preferably Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area) who is kind and smart (and a good listener), who takes Medicare.  If possible, I would prefer a woman.  Any tips much appreciated!

I’m seeking a primary care physician who will emphasize best possible health, rather than disease prevention. I’m a woman in my early 50s, and I’ve always been in excellent health, but recently have been diagnosed with both pre-diabetes and pre-hypertension. I have been treating my hypothyroidism for years. My current PCP sees many patients struggling with much greater challenges, so in her view, I’m just fine. But I would love to find a doctor who would want to explore with me the root causes of these changes, and see if there’s anything I can do to address them now. I already exercise regularly, eat a very healthy diet, and am not overweight. Do you know a doctor who proactively emphasizes best possible health for any individual? I do not have Kaiser, but my insurance will allow me to see anyone else. Thank you!

i am looking for a new pcp that takes United health and is comfortable with a western and functional medicine approach. I will also likely work with a functional  med doc, but am hoping to find a regular pcp who is willing to order some of the labs that go beyond CBC  labs, and who respects incorporating a functional medicine approach. I am dealing with some family history of dementia and am wanting to actively work on some preventative ideas, including inflammatory issues. I have had difficulty finding such a dr, even in the Bay Area. Although I currently have united health, I would consider switching to Kaiser if there was a dr there that fits this description.

Thank you

My excellent primary care doctor has just retired, and I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement.

I need someone who accepts Anthem Blue-Cross, and ideally is associated with Alta-Bates Summit.

Any experience / opinions with the following:

Rong Huang

Melvin Huie

Roxanne Fiscella

Carolyn Klebanoff

i would also be interested in hearing recommendations for any others you have first hand experience with

Thanks.

I'm 52 and for a long time haven't had primary care, nor a need for specialists apart from ob/gyn and routine colonoscopy. I want to sort this out and get a primary care doctor, keeping in mind that SOMEDAY something will go wrong and I'll need some kind of specialist (cancer, cardio, orthopedist, who knows). 

I want to know that if I find a lump, or develop symptoms of some kind, or end up needing a specialist, I won't have to wait weeks for an appt. SEBMF is closer, I'm in Berkeley. But I have the idea that maybe UCSF is more a "networked" operation, where primary care would be in communication with specialists, etc. Also my University of California insurance says that UCSF is covered for everything, and while SEBMF seems to be they aren't as tight a network and so I seem to have to look up doctors to be sure they are covered in-network.

Do BPN folks have experience with primary care at UCSF and/or SEBMF and whether, when something comes up, specialists are easy to get to and doctors communicate with each other?

Looking for recommendations on a great primary care doc for my parents who live in El Cerrito. They have PPO. Any recommendations in El Cerrito or Berkeley are so appreciated!! Thanks!

Looking for PCP for myself and my wife in the Berkeley area. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

Hi All -

I have had chronic pain for many years, and have managed it well with many tools - one of these is pain meds.  My doc at kp retired; new doc wants me to suddenly stop meds.  He is virulently against trying cbd/thc and I feel trapped to handle my condition.  Only doc in his area who handles this now  I need a doctor at Kp in any east bay kp (or a recommendation of any system in Bay that handles chronic pain management well).  I work full time, physically active.  Want to stay functional.  

  I'm desperate to find a new pcp who is covered by Blue Cross / UC Care. I far prefer someone in Berkeley or Albany rather than in Oakland's Pill Hill. I have a few health problems that have taught me to be very selective about doctors. I need someone who works full-time, is very responsive and kind, a good listener and record-keeper, available for last-minute appointments in some circumstances, medically excellent (naturally), and runs an organized office with pleasant and efficient staff members. Please, please send me your recs!

We are seeking to change primary care providers. Live in San Leandro, but can travel for the right fit. What we are hoping for is a provider with a wellness/whole person perspective. Keto- or low-carb friendly would be a nice change from where we are now. My specific issue rn is possible hypothyroid. Thank you for any referrals you may have.

I just found out my beloved doctor is retiring. I have Blue Shield coverage and am seeking recommendations for a compassionate, experienced female general practitioner in Albany, El Cerrito, Berkeley or nearby. Thanks!

My husband was just diagnosed w/ very high cholesterol. He is very health conscious and excercises 6 days a week. He is not overweight and in fact is quite fit. However his father and brother both have it so it was not entirely  surprising to get the diagnosis. The Dr prescribed statins and right after starting the statins his gout returned ( he had one episode of gout 4 years ago after a long trip abroad in a country with very few dietary choices.) The gout is so bad that he can hardly walk. His Dr said he does not think the two are related but we cannot believe he would get gout after 4 years without it and we feel it has to be related to the statins. Throughout this process it has become clear that we don't feel this Dr is a good fit and would like to find someone new. He would like a male doctor who has experience treating people with these types of issues and who is smart and has great listening skills as well. He is very afraid the cholesterol issue will eventually kill him and he is afraid! 

Berkeley, Oakland, Albany preferred but he will go to SF for the right person.

thanks all!

I've had my awesome doctor for about 10 years, through 2 pregnancies, and her office no longer accepts any individual health insurance plans:( I am switching insurance to Sutter Health Plus and looking for a new primary care physician (preferably female).  Please please recommend your doctor you love and trust. thank you!! Feeling sad.

Does anyone recommend a primary care physician that offers a holistic approach? I have Sutter Health Plus HMO and would love to find a covered physician that I can align with in a health partnership, someone who appreciates a wellness model vs. a disease model. I would love to find a physician who prioritizes nutrition, and is willing to have a conversation about vaccinations/flu shots etc. instead of just repeating the CDC recommendation.