Probably the worst, meanest back office medical staff in the city, and that's saying a lot. My spouse has had appointments canceled on her unilaterally by this office and then offered new appointments months later. So when she needed her prescriptions renewed, they said she needed an appointment in person -- no video appointment -- before she could get her meds. The only way to get the prescriptions was if she paid $15 per prescription. Kafka couldn't have come up with a better scheme. Be very wary if this doctor. Avoid if you possibly can and only if you have no other choice. A friend asked for her annual physical from her and Dr Pineda refused we think because it doesn't reimburse enough from insurance. read more

Dr. Pineda clearly cares about her patients. She went out of her way to see me, prescribe me medications, and offer thoughtful care. However, I needed a greater focus on person-centric care. I would have preferred that the team asked me whether I wanted to 1) get so many tests done, 2) tinker with meds in general, and 3) discuss the cadence of visits that works for both of us. I really just wanted to get my medications refilled, and I ended up consistently feeling used for my $40 copay rather than seen as a individual deserving of patient-centered care. I can understand that offices are juggling many priorities, have limited funds, and may be understaffed. But this experience left me feeling incredibly frustrated. It was very difficult to navigate prescription refills. When can I get a refill vs. need a new prescription? When do I need to be seen in order to get my medication vs. can get a prescription called over the phone? It was incredibly difficult to figure this out with the staff. A ton of calling back and forth, getting put on hold, etc. I understand that the US healthcare system is frustrating and broken. But my experience with this office felt particularly emblematic of the problems of the healthcare system. This office seriously needs to be better care coordination, person-centered care, and communication with patients. read more

Quite possibly the worst experience I've had with a physician. All labs are done right there on site, which sounds great. However, every expense to be spared is. There were no sanitary wipes in the restroom, and literally dixie cups were used to catch urine, no container with a lid was provided. Blood is drawn right there, and I am now 8 days post blood draw with NO LAB RESULTS. I left a voicemail with no call back and then called again and was told, "we don't know where you labs are, we will have to wait for the doctor to ask her" The Quest lab at Safeway posts results generally in 24 hours! While my consult with the doctor seemed thorough, any question I had, or thought about something counter to her opinion was summarily dismissed. Dr Pineda's bed side manner is lacking and her cost cutting procedures (despite an office visit costing $300) are insulting for a downtown DC office. I DO NOT RECOMMEND. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Pineda for over twenty years. She is thorough, listens to my health concerns and explores them to rule out any issue. She's empathetic and focuses on family history too. She coordinates and considers all my medical team( Ortho, Dermatology, Gynecology and vision) she keeps me straight with staying on track. She provides cutting edge, evidenced based health care. read more

Horrible to deal with. A very unkind doctor and non communicative staff. Save yourself the headache and find a better provider.

I've been seeing Dr. Pineda for over 5 years and cannot say enough good things about her and her staff. She is the best endo i've worked with since being diagnosed with Type 1. She is incredibly thorough but also takes the time to listen to my concerns and answer any questions. There is no rush to get you out the door (which can mean some longer wait times, but that's because she is giving the same amount of attention to other patients). read more

Dr. Pineda is a great Doctor and working with her is amazing! She gives you all kinds of opportunity for you to grow and learn everything you need to succeed, cares very deeply for her patients to ensure they're well taken care of. I would highly recommend her. read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Pineda's for several years. I came to her after having several physicians in the DC area that were horrible. I finally decided my health was too important to put up with doctors that have no business practicing medicine. Dr. Pineda is the only physician that's given me personal attention, asked questions, listened to my responses, explained my health, and recommended changes to achieve optimal health. She's an endocrinologist as well as a board-certified internist (contrary to another review), so she does order blood tests other doctors never recommended to me. As a result, she identified issues that were never identified by my previous doctors. Occasionally, I've waited a little longer than I would've liked but all doctors get behind sometimes and she never rushes you out of her office half-listening to your concerns like some experiences I've had. She's also responsive via email. read more

I wish I could give less than one star. The dr is ok but the administrative team is the worst. I have visited dr's in 5 other countries, three of them developing countries and I have never had such an awful experience. If you have ANY other option do NOT visit this practice. I was told they had received the approval from my insurance, three months afterwards they send me a bill stating that I am delayed in its payment. I ask them for my documents and medical record to make the payment and then try to get a refund from my insurance and they take over an additional month on which I keep receiving calls and emails asking for payment, they send the documents to the insurance, without copying me, I receive the documents from my insurance company, I ask to pay and they give me a phone number, I call the phone number to be received by voicemail, I call the other number they have establish for billing information and after 15 minutes of giving them personal info, they tell me they can't find me in their system. Save yourself from the hassle that is dealing with these people and find another provider. read more

Every aspect of this office is a nightmare. For starters, to even book an appointment here, you're required to give them a credit card number to keep on file. Sketchy. Additionally, the receptionist is very unprofessional. Her "work-appropriate" attire consists of gray jeggings, a belly shirt, and Uggs. She does not seem informed enough to answer any question given to her. I was told I owe the the office money from my visit two weeks ago (despite not receiving a bill via mail or being told of this when confirming my appointment). When I asked the receptionist to see an itemized invoice for the balance, the receptionist told me that only the doctor can approve that being printed out. Sketchier. After waiting half an hour, being told I was next to see the doctor, and having multiple people see the doctor before me, I asked how long the wait would be. The uninformed receptionist told me the wait to see the doctor is always greater than half an hour. If this is constantly an issue, why not adjust the appointment times? The final straw to this office is the absurd charges. If you do not tell the doctor every single prescription you need on your first visit, they'll charge you $30 per prescription you request thereafter. The doctor will also not write any prescriptions good for longer than 3 months. If you're on the same prescription all the time and have been for many years, what is the purpose of the limitation? Overall, this doctors office seems like a scam. I do not recommend it to anyone unless your goal is to waste your own time. read more

I'm still seeing her and wait is still long otherwise I it would be five stars. But I realize now she does a lot of blood test because she is an endocronologist so it makes more sense. In the blood test she's found things that I didn't know about. I feel fine but I seem to have some internal issues that she wouldnt' know about without the test. I do wish you could come in a few days early and get the test done so that when she saw you she had the results already. My last visit was for something that was quite confusing but she worked with me to make a plan so that we could work on figuring out what was wrong. We wrote it down and she went over it twice. I've never had a doctor actually care for me so I'll wait because I trust that she knows what she's doing. read more

I'm confused by the reviews on this page. I've been going to Dr. Pineda for several years and have nothing but great things to say about her and her staff. From the receptionist to her nurse Mark, they're all great. This doctor actually spends time with you instead of looking at you as a number on a chart. She answers your questions instead of giving you a brochure. This is maybe why some people have experienced a wait. However, I much rather know that the doctor will take her time with me than someone who just makes a two second diagnosis. Dr. Pineda is preventative. I like that she gives me lab work each time I go in. This way I know that everything is well and that nothing is lurking to only be found out when it is too late. I have recommended family, colleagues and friends to this doctor and will continue to do so. read more

Unprofessional and unethical. They try to charge you for everything, including sending your records to a new doctor (they can't do that, you can only be charged for sending them to yourself, not doctor to doctor). They will keep trying to charge you for everything including making you come in for unnecessary medication refill appointments every few months that aren't needed and only serve to make them money. Horrible doctor and staff. read more

In response to the reviewer who said Dr. P is not board-certified, the link below is evidence to the contrary; she is board-certified in internal medicine: https://www.abim.org/verify-physician/Pineda-Julia-4QnXBFYndfQ=.aspx read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Pineda's since 2004. When I saw negative reviews of her, I felt shocked. I understand that wait times can be longer; i understand that a lot of blood work is performed by her office. But I can tell you that she in no way does this for any self-serving financial reasons. She is one of the few offices that still takes many insurance plans. She is an internist, who specializes in endocrinology, and therefore must do a lot of blood work to help you figure out your health. She is one of the most compassionate, excellent listeners I have ever met amongst doctors. I have to see her twice a year, at a minimum, and she is simply marvelous. I leave her office feeling cared for, secure, and understood. She is calm and never makes me feel like my health issues are ignored or unimportant. I love her so much as my doctor that I have referred no fewer than six of my friends to her who have stuck with her. She has helped bring their health into a better state, as she has with me. I just know that when I go, yes I may have to wait a bit. But she is not going to rush you out of the office. She is going to listen to what you have to say. She is going to help you feel less scared or worried. If you are looking for an internist/endocrinologist who has fabulous bedside manners, then go to her. read more

I went to Dr. Pineda for well over a year and will not go back. During this time, a multitude of tests were performed on me - none of which ever gave helped with a diagnosis. Instead of trying to find a reason for my symptoms, she was content to just prescribe me meds. I have never been argued with or belittled so much in my life. Scheduling appointments was always a hassle and could never be done in a timely manner. If you do decide to go here, be prepared to spend an hour or more waiting around... Not like you have anything better to do anyways! read more

I would like to leave this feedback because I've been a patient of Doctor Pineda for more than a year. I been having this ugly symptoms, fatigue, tiredness, weakness, pain in my joints and whole body literally, I thought of her been an endocrinologist would help me out, she just kept running blood test every time I went, and never found anything out of the normal, so to make this story shorter, after i got some fever, and a cold that turned out in a bronchitis, I went to an Allergist - Immunologist Specialist Dr. Hurtado, he discovered I had the chronic EBV, and he has been prescribing me some medicine which is helping me to get trough my normal life. Is just maybe a difficult diagnose, I don't want to put her down, but I won't be back. I feel like I've loosing my time and money. read more

The office is completely unorganized - "hurry up and wait" describes the place accurately. The wait is unacceptable. I'm sure the reason for the volume of blood they take has to do with what the insurance companies pay them and not that they care to provide exceptional medical services. Dr. Pineda is polite and did spend a good amount of time with me in her office but I doubt I'll go back. My time is just as valuable. To spend 2 hours and 45 minutes from arrival to departure is ridiculous. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Pineda for more than 16 years and I'm also in the medical field. After seeing many doctors, Dr. Pineda diagnosed me with a chronic condition. She has been my life saver. She has provided personalized, detailed and compassionate care each time I see her. She also takes care of many of my friends. The office is designed to make you feel at home and her assistants are pleasant and caring. Nowadays many doctors, including the doctor I work for, require payments for many services not covered by insurance, as calling prescriptions which can take 15-20 min. Dr. Pineda has not charged me for emergency prescriptions, but if she does, I will be happy to pay for her time because she is worth every penny. I don't understand what the other person is talking about the visit charges, because doctor's offices can only charge the patient the amount the insurance dictates. It looks like she does not want to pay the bill. Her previous office was run by another administration and the wait was sometimes long. In Dr. Pineda's new office located in West End you are usually in and out within one hour. Based on my experience, this is better than other doctors. Before you see her, you get blood drawn and procedures are done, which at the end saves you time because you don't have to spend time going to another place. Once you are in the office with her, you get true personalized care, she gives a full evaluation, explains things to you, addresses all your complaints and tells you the pros and cons of treatment. If you want a doctor that cares about you, that dedicates her time to you and top of it, is excellent, then Dr. Pineda is the doctor for you. read more

I love coming to my appointments. The staff is so wonderful. The doctor is approachable and listens to every detailed. Getting blood work done is a breeze when Marcus is doing my lab work. I love these people. read more

I have been going to Dr. Pineda for years and adore her! Yes, sometimes you have to wait. But I decided a while ago that waiting for her is worth it. She gives you all the time you need to discuss anything about your health, and to answer any question. If you are someone for whom bedside manners are very important, then go to Dr. Pineda. She makes me feel comfortable, cared for, and okay. She is thorough but does not overreact. Nor does she ever make you feel belittled, as some doctors can do. Her staff is always friendly, which again matters a lot to me. Whatever inconveniences I may have endured (which are few) have been so completely outweighed by how wonderful Dr. Pineda is. read more

After running every imaginable test on earth, her advice to me was to lose weight. Completely unsatisfied, I did a little research. Dr. Pineda is not a board certified internist. She is not board certified in any field of medicine. read more

Love Dr. Pineda! She has impeccable bedside manners - she is thorough and thoughtful. She takes time to respond to my emails and listen to my concerns. Yes, the wait can be long and annoying. However, once you make it to her exam room/office, and you realize the amount of time she takes to truly get to know you and your symptoms, it makes the wait worth it. I moved to CA a little over a year ago and am struggling to find an endocrinologist who cares even half as much as she did. I gave her a thank you card when I left DC and cried because I felt like she was one dr who really cared about me, not just my business. Please be patient with the wait time - bring work, there's free wifi, that's what I did! read more

I have been a patient for three years. Dr. Pineda is a healer and a scientist of the first order. What are these complaints about waiting? I'd rather be kept waiting to have my time with the doctor when i know that during my exam she is focused on my well-being and my care. I'm convinced that the well-being of her patients is always foremost. Her communication skills are excellent, as well. Her support staff are professional. I am so thankful to have an endocrinologist who inspires my confidence and who encourages the changes i must make to maintain my health. read more

I worked overseas for several years and needed a doctor when I came back. While I agree that the time spent in her office could seem excessive I chalk it up to her and her team taking the time needed to make sure I got the care and attention I needed. I did not have any trouble with the amount of blood drawn, the extra tests scheduled or the referrals which lead to other tests and more follow-up. In then end, something which may have gone unnoticed by another doctor was caught and I am alive and healthy because of it. When you take that into consideration the other complaints raised by others are meaningless. read more

hope this will help you. I was having lots of symptoms, and I told her that my symptoms included pins and needle pains, headache, her answers were "you always have strange symptoms" so after suffering for months, I finally went to second dr. just to find out that i had high sugar level in my blood, and my thyroid was acting up. If only I did not waste my time and money with Dr. Pineda, it was easily prevented issue now, i have to live with this pain. Please stay away from her. read more

I have not experience the wait times in that most of the reviewer are complaining about. I show up a day early for my appointment and they took me right away. I found that them to be very flexible. The one complain is not being able to see the doctor right away, having wait 3-month for an appointment seems a little ridiculous, but with the quality of service I have learn to deal with it. Now I book my appointment in advance.. read more

All I can say is "Walk a mile in her shoes." Bet you couldn't make it through the first five minutes. Think twice when all you have to say about a medical professional is that you had to "wait." Maybe she tried to squeeze someone in that needed medical attention immediately, much like you might some day. As far as not being quickly diagnosed, I've never known Dr. Pineda to make hasty decisions. All I can say is that you must be "ok," after seeing Dr. Pineda, if you had time to write your review. I was a patient of Dr. Pineda's for over 9 years. The only reason that I'm not with her now is because I moved over 500 miles away. I must say that I was fortunate to find a doctor that I'm pleased with. Many thanks to Dr. Pineda for providing my life with a platform for what a doctor should be to their patients. She's thorough, constantly documenting your chart with your symptoms and her diagnosis, and has been right 99% of time about her diagnosis for me. She cares and has called me after my appointments to make sure that I'm feeling better. Her advise on how to live a healthy life has been 100% on the mark. Pardon the pun, but have you actually had the pleasure of the exemplary level of triage services provided by Dr. Pineda's PA, Marc?? He's another reason why Dr. Pineda is so successful. He knows each and every one of her patients and demonstrates a level of medical professionalism that can't be matched. Yes, there's more . . . being Board Certified doesn't give a doctor a license to just see patients, it's also assurance to the patients that the doctor has gone the extra mile to assure the best healthcare and that the necessary continuing education instructions have been completed yearly to provide state-of-the-art care. So, I solute Dr. Pineda and Marc for being healthcare professionals that are truly a cut above the expected with a practice that keeps us coming back because we trust the two of them with our lives! Angiegram read more

Despite what others have said about a long wait when appearing for an appointment, I have rarely found this to be the case. Waiting a long time is possible, but not frequent, and is to be expected, occasionally, when visiting a doctor. And most important, when I am seen, it is clear as to why some people think she is not on time. She takes time with every patient to explain what is going on, explain medication, answer questions. She asks the questions that many doctors simply skip in the interest of saving time. I had a somewhat confusing and debilitating thyroid condition, but she took the time to figure it out, and I feel so much better now. She has made me able to function normally! In addition, although she stopped taking Medicare patients when I first started seeing her, she agreed to cover me under Medicare, I assume because she knew my case was going to take a long time to clear up. I really appreciate her care and the good nature and knowledge of her staff. read more