This is a review for Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care at Manhattan West Plaza - same company's fancy new midtown digs (don't be fooled by appearances) - and specifically Dr. Yossef Blum, MD who operates at both locations. Absolutely HORRIBLE experience from beginning to end. They changed my appointment THREE times within the span of the final week (including on the actual morning of), causing great inconvenience to me, especially as someone with a disability. Then there were insurance issues galore, despite me flagging it from the outset (essentially switching "regular Medicaid" to Medicaid by Fidelis the same say of appointment) and going above and beyond to make sure I was covered. I even had the insurance company phone them to confirm my status on the day of appointment, with me waiting on hold on the other line, having given them the exact name of the doctor and receptionist who had been across the issues. After Fidelis confirmed I was good to go, even telling me I was meant to arrive at 2:15 instead of my stated (and booked) time of 2:30. Again, that info would have been helpful on the many, many times I confirmed times and anything I need to bring/prep, aside from the referral. Anyway, I trek into Manhattan only to discover on arrival they had no record on that convo and sure enough, my insurance was not going to be accepted. At this point, I lost the power of speech, handed over my card and sat in the waiting room crying flood of silent tears. Some time later, and after a long wait, they confirmed I was good to go. First thing, I was lead from reception straight into an X-ray room and simply asked which knee was hurting. Alarmed, because it's actually my hip, I insisted on talking to a Dr before anything was done. Even that seemed outrageous to them, bc now I'm assuming they just drag every unsuspecting patient in for random X-rays before talking to anyone but the receptionist. Eventually I spoke to a lovely German nurse and then finally, after a long wait, the doctor. From beginning to end, this doctor's manner was arrogant and condescending. He started talking about Xrays & MRIs -- but only in the context of insurance and money -- even before I had explained ANYTHING about my situation! Once I explained I'd already had an X-ray at the Urgent Care, I was asked to present it - or, "the CD" - which of course I did not have. Then he started rubbishing the Urgent Care team, suggesting their X-rays would be bad anyway and the Dr wouldn't have known what he was talking about. It was incredibly frustrating and I asked if we could first talk through the issues, and I was made to feel like I was being difficult. Finally, he started going through a checklist on some form, asking seemingly random things that I couldn't necessarily answer and that didn't seem relevant to my situation. Increasingly frustrated and visibly upset still, I asked in if I could just explain in my own words what had been going on. When I did, he threw out some bizarre theories that I was probably just sick "like with Covid or a cold", which would somehow explain the agonizing pain in my hip that woke me up in the middle of the night. I told him I hadn't been sick with anything since July (it's now May). The fact that my pain was currently 0 or 1, despite being an 8-10 just two weeks ago when it came on, seemed to throw him and he seemed to have no interest in helping me unless I got the expensive scans done, despite me having no idea if it would be covered and being long-term unemployed with a disability. He did some completely random 'examination' poking and manipulating my legs and hips. I felt nothing, even whilst explaining it had never hurt to push, even at the height of the pain. I ended up just giving up and when the lovely nurse walked me out, I realized it only hurt to put weight on it, aka when I walked. At no point had the Dr asked about this but there was no way I was going back in. I walked (/limped) out and never looked back. Whilst collecting myself outside for 10 mins and having another big cry, I overheard another patient with her two family members complaining about the same things - being messed around with the scheduled, waiting HOURS and being told completely unhelpful and nonsensical things by the same doctor. He even body shamed her, which broke my heart. FUCK THAT DOCTOR AND FUCK THIS PLACE. SHAME ON YOU! read more