Thumbs down on the quality of service. Specially that they have no regard for the time, expense, and inconvenience of the person who is stepping up to be the patient's ride. They require you to be on-site or within 10 minutes for a procedure appoint that takes hours. For the cost, they should provide a stronger level of service. They have an intake form that asked how far you will be away, as if they are going to notify you with enough time to return. Then they tell you something different at the check in desk. Nonetheless on my first visit they actually told me someone would call for pickup with the 20 minutes I noted on the form. But when they did call I was reprimanded for being more than 10 minutes away. OMG!! So even though the policy sucks, not everyone is looped in. Lame. Figure it out, and figure out how to provide a decent level of service read more

First Hill Surgery Center - The ride form, "if your ride is leaving, how much time do they need to get back". Even though it's irrelevant lol. - Surgeons Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The positives: The staff were nice. The facility was clean. My surgery was a success. The negatives: I was billed an amount when I checked in that was significantly higher than what my copay ended up being according to my insurance company. I contacted FHSC multiple times about this and finally got my refund after 6 months! My surgery was delayed by hours and the staff never told me that it was delayed. Patients are in areas divided by curtains for the pre and post-op portions of their visit. This means there is a lack of privacy. I could unfortunately hear the conversations about the surgery of the person in the space next to mine. I did not want to hear that and was quite sad for them. read more

I unfortunate fall into the same category as entirely too many people below. Provider was great, surgery center was great. Being incorrectly billed and getting my money back... I just had a whole breakdown on the phone. It's been six months. Still cannot get my money back from their system of billing not communicating with the platform charging your accounts. I've been told entirely too many times that I'll receive a call from a manager. Never hear from anyone. I will never have surgery at this location again. I would never be allowed 6 months to pay a single bill, I'd be in collections by now. It's not fair how this place operates, I'm lucky that I can sustain this but some people cannot and it creates crippling impacts. Healthcare needs to refocus on actual care instead of revenues. Stay away from this place if you can! It'll save you stress and frustration. read more

I had cataract surgery this week and am shouting praise to the amazing team at checked me in, got me preped and supported Dr. Kennedy in the easiest procedure I've ever had done! Virginia, Grace, Melissa and forgive me if I forgot someone. Thank you for your care!!! Kristin read more

I had spinal surgery here, through Polyclinic, and it was fantastic. I got a call ahead of time about the cost that would be due on day one, and called my insurance to double check it, and they were right on. They offered a payment plan if I couldn't pay it all at once, which I declined. They seemed very transparent to me. It's a surgical center, that needs to cover costs, not a hospital with more flexibility in their overhead. It was very clean. Waiting room was limited capacity, and I was back in pre-op within 15 minutes. The nurses were so sweet and efficient, and what happened next was always clear. The longest wait in post op was about ten minutes. The OR nurse, anesthesiologist, and my doc all took turns coming through, then back I went. Surgery was the exact length that he expected, and the anesthetist was amazing with the meds. I was lucid within 20 minutes of arriving in post-op, and had no residual grogginess or nausea. That made me able to leave within hours of check in, and I was just amazed at their competence. I was sent home well educated and medicated, and had a clear plan of action going forward. This was all shared with my pickup contact too, so everyone was on the same page. I was delivered curbside to my ride home, and got a call today to check in on me and check my comfort. The sweetest staff. Highly recommended, and I'm not easy to please. Not cheap, even with insurance, but you get what you pay for. You want pudding? They will even bring you pudding. :D read more

I just had sinus/nasal surgery here yesterday and had the best experience!! Everyone I met was absolutely lovely! Was brought back right when I checked in, and my prep nurse Noel was amazing! She was super nice and kept asking me questions and getting me to talk since I confessed I was super nervous. While in my prep area she gave me tons of blankets, including one that was inflated with hot air. She said they started using them more often since they found that warmer patients had better blood circulation and less chance of blood clots, so they keep their patients nice and toasty! My OR nurse, Grace, was also great! Energetic, good sense of humor, and took care of me. I can't remember my anesthesiologist's name, but he was awesome as well! Everyone made sure I was comfortable, encouraged me to ask questions, and was super attentive. They also have on-call translators available via tv screens, so for non-English speaking patients they can have 'face time' with a translator, which I thought was super cool for both the patients and the nurses/doctors. Everything was clean, everyone was professional, and I got jello and animal crackers afterwards. Also a cool feature: they have a special relationship setup with a pharmacy across the street; they can fax your prescription over, and while you still have to show the physical prescription for narcotics, they can have it filled and ready for you so you don't have to spend time waiting at your normal pharmacy! I hope I never need surgery again, but if I do, I would definitely want it done here! read more

First Hill Surgery Center - My pre-op heated blanket! - Surgeons Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I had surgery here in Sept. 2023. When I arrived, they forced me to pay over $1200 up front. Once the insurance went through, the actual cost ended up being around $500, so they owe me a refund of around $700. They claim the refund was issued in November, but it's March now and I still haven't seen a dime. Nobody in customer service can tell me anything. They just say it's being "investigated" or "escalated to a supervisor". I've called nearly a dozen times and get the same runaround every time. I can't speak to a supervisor, I can't speak to the business office that supposedly investigating this issue, and nobody ever calls me with any information. The only people I can speak with are the useless customer service reps who can't do anything. These people are either lazy incompetent imbeciles, or they're outright dishonest thieves. If it took me over 4 months to pay my bill, I bet I'd be in collections by now. Avoid having surgery there if at all possible, and if not, avoid paying them anything out-of-pocket up front. read more

DO NOT go here no matter what your surgeon says!!! I was warned online about them not being financially transparent, and I did not listen!!!! I even spoke to my surgeons office about the estimate and paid 7000 upfront. That was supposed to cover EVERYTHING with First Hill, unless they removed my gallbladder or had complications. They did not. My surgeon said there was nothing out of the ordinary with my surgery and I was in and out of there in three-4 hours!! My surgeons office said the only way they would be able to charge me more would be the anesthesiologist for more time. I have not received a bill from the anesthesiologist, and paid him prior to my appointment as well. I about had a heart attack when I opened the bill I just received from first Hill surgery Center!! Sure enough it's for $4000 for..... "supplies" ?!?! There is even doubles of each supply with prices but it doesn't say what the supplies were. I will definitely be speaking with my surgeons office tomorrow, but until then I need to warn as many people as possible. There is no way my surgeons estimate was off by $4000. We are a single-family income and this was already expensive to begin with. What happened to honesty and customer care and consideration??? Are we being scammed because of the lack of business during COVID??? My blood is boiling! read more

Asking patients to prepay half or more of their "expected" deductible/coinsurance/out of pocket before billing insurance is both burdensome and can lead to errors/overpayment. If another provider (say, the anesthesiologist) bills first your deductible would be owed to them not the center. Not the best way to find out their dumb prepayment policy, a week before surgery. Probably cancelling, as I have no intention of paying them before services have been provided and billed to my insurance. That ensures they properly bill my insurance in a timely fashion with all required elements and my insurance will send an EOB telling me how much I owe. read more

I had surgery there and everything absolutely my highest expectation. My nurse was exceptional, everyone was so kind and professional. They knew their jobs so well and shared everything that was happening. My surgeon, Dr Ames Smith, was so skilled and spent time with me to make sure ever one of my questions were answered. The anesthesiologist who's name I'm embarrassed to say I don't recall)clearly knew what he doing and asked me every appropriate question. They were were all great read more

**This business is owned and operated by Providence. Providence is owned by the CEO of Swedish!** I called the surgery center after reading their very disturbing patient reviews from the last year. They confirmed that they require full surgery payment before the surgery. I asked what if people can't afford thousands of dollars? "Payment plans are available, but we require half". I asked why I was never notified. "Our financial adviser is supposed to call you a week before your surgery". Oh really? My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. It's Friday afternoon. "They should be contacting you soon...". Seems to me like they had no intention of telling me until I was there for my surgery! I could tell they were lying to me. I have heard insurance companies say that you should never have to pay the full cost for a surgery up front prior to the billing process. "That's actually not true...". Yes it is. "I can put you through to our financial department if you want to ask them to explain it." No, I don't want to talk to them. So you guys are waiting until the day of patients surgeries and then demanding thousands of dollars from them on the spot before you ever even bill their insurance. What you are doing is manipulative and dishonest. Now that I've found out you are owned by Swedish, it makes a lot of sense. I'm glad I read all of your 1 star reviews from the last year and I'm glad people are trying to warn others about you. Because of how you people run your business, I have to cancel my surgery. Shame on you for taking advantage of sick people who need surgery. What you are doing is absolutely disgusting. Go elsewhere for your surgery and avoid this dishonest place!!! read more

Finally got my refund two and half months later!

This facility has recently implemented a prepayment requirement, contrary to how all other medical institutions handle their billing policies (bill insurance first, then send you an invoice for your portion with 30-day terms). Prior to a procedure, they "estimate" what your charges will be and how much your insurance will pay, and require you to pay the balance before a procedure can proceed. I wrote to complain about this policy, and had my issue escalated to the Executive Director, Casey McFarland. Her response was patronizing and filled with attempts to present this policy as beneficial to patients. She spoke of "price transparency" and feeling it was their responsibility to educate patients so they could anticipate what bills might arrive "months later". They also referred to this as a "100% deposit", a concept that doesn't even make sense. If you are required to pay upfront, 1) that is payment in full, NOT a "deposit", and 2) there shouldn't be any bigger bills from them months later, as you are paying for their services, in full, now. The obvious attempts to spin this and present the policy in a manner that was trying to look out for the patients' best interests was insulting, and just made our frustration and aggravation worse. A little honesty (e.g., "we've had a hard time collecting on unpaid bills, and are left with no other business choice") would have been a better approach. We aren't stupid, and her obvious attempts to present this new policy as something other than it was angered us even more. On the day of surgery, we prepaid and did not receive a detailed invoice. When I asked for one, as the receipt I received would not be sufficient for HSA reimbursement, I was told the detailed paperwork would arrive in the mail in a week or two. Really?!? So bottom line, they won't wait for normal processing and paperwork time delays, but you have to. Had my husband's surgeon used other facilities, we would have cancelled and rescheduled elsewhere. If you have any choice, AVOID THIS BUSINESS! read more

I am not pleased with the First Hill Surgery Center. It is not an isolated incident. It was incidents. I would never refer First Hill Surgery to anyone. During my first two surgeries, I was made to walk to the OR with a stiff right leg. I was told to step up to the surgery table. I was already a little stressed. The movement of my right knee is about 50-degrees. The staff did not steady me. I started to fall forward and fell into the surgery bed. This was corrected by me third visit. I should not have spent my time contacting the surgery center. My one doctor was on the board and she talked with them also. The nurse, who worked with me during my third surgery, did not want to work there. She said it to me. She was curt. The nurse when I came out of recovery was a bitch. She talked down to me and I heard the her talk down to the person through the wall. Wow! If you do not like your job, leave it and find a job you like don't take it out on patients, who are there for health services rendered in a professional and compassionate way. Honestly, do you think I want to be there? I was polite each time I have been there to self centered and self serving staff. I had been their for two previous surgeries. The staff allowed me to call my friend who works down the street. Why should she miss work when the surgery center was so far behind that day to sit in their lobby? The nurse who was awful said that I needed to call my ride. The nurse had not given me my bag with my clothes and phone. They had not given me my bag. I was suppose to be taken to the bathroom due to a kidney stone procedure. I then dressed and my friend called me. I called her back and let her know I was ready to leave. I have had a couple of surgeries during this decade at the old Group Health hospital was better. They had me up and dressed and ready when they called my ride. Does the surgery center offer free parking at their location for those waiting for their loved ones? I would hope so to make up for your delays caused by poor staffing and the worst customer service ever. I am curious of their business relationship between the Polyclinic and their doctors and the reimbursements to use this surgery center My doctors during these surgeries were the bright spots and so were the NACs and MAs. I filled in the surgery center's survey this last time. It is written to present skewed data to their board of directors. Once you fill in most of the survey, one of the questions asked if you suffer from mental or emotional illness. Does this mean if a person says yes their survey is disqualified? I encourage you not use the First Hill Center until they have been around for a decade because they need to iron out many issues, including staffing and surgery times. read more

If you are in the unfortunate position to need surgery, you could find no better place than First Hill. From the moment I walked in the door to the time I was wheeled out to my car, the treatment I received was the best I've ever experienced from any medical establishment. I was lucky, too, to have an all-female surgical team. From my surgeon to every nurse and also the anesthesiologist, it was all women. I told them if I'd known it was going to be so exciting, I'd have brought my camera. It was so great being surrounded by such a team of professionals. read more

I recently had hand surgery here and was very impressed by the efficiency and professionalism of all of the people I encountered from check in to post op. They were friendly, helpful and informative and the whole thing was done on schedule with no problems. Hope I don't need another surgery but if I do I would be happy to use this day surgery center again. read more

If I could give this a negative review I would. The have had some bad customer experiences in my day but this one takes the cake. I had surgery here, prepaid everything and after it was over received another bill (when I should not have). I then called in a total of 16 times over the next year, the first 15 times I was told I did not owe any money and that I was all good "disregard the bill they said" yet I kept receiving the same bill. I finally got one of the supervisors on the phone that informed me that one of my procedures was not covered and that I needed to appeal it through my insurance company. I did this two days later. Two days after that I get a phone call from collections after my insurance company had called them gathering information for the appeal. I then called again wondering why my account had been sent to collections after being told for a year I owe no money, the response: "well you received a few bills from us stating you owed money" to which I replied " yes and every time I called in I was told I owned nothing and to disregard the bill." One woman even repeated multiple times that: " No, this will not be sent to collections" multiple times. Today I get a letter from the appeals process I painstakingly threw together stating that it had been rejected as it was past the 180 day appeal window. 16 calls (and counting) to First Hill Surgery Center 10 calls to my insurance company and 20+ hours later I will be contacting an attorney. What a nightmare. I would highly recommend you stay away from this place and go somewhere that actually knows how to do their job. read more

Their billing department is horrible. They can't get the billing done properly. After paying my bill they incorrectly put my payment to another facility. After multiple phone calls I was told it was corrected when it was not. They then informed me that I was being sent to collections. I called and was told that the lady who does the corrections has not got around to changing the payment. Then I found out that the billing department keyed in the wrong amount and I still owed money. Great place to have surgery but horrible billing department. read more

I came in for cataract surgery. Staff is very friendly and do a great job. Anesthesiologist listened and kept sedation light and it was a breeze. Great place read more

The doctors and nurses are great. My complaint is that the billing department is the worst I have ever encountered anywhere. I have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with them on 2 surgeries. Every time I call I have to go through a double menu on the phone. The wait is just painful. Two days ago they did not answer at all, but made me leave a message. That was at 10:30. They still have not gotten back to me. Shesh, fire the head of the department and get someone who is competent and cares. Their medical staff is so good it is a shame to have such a weak link. read more