[[HIGHLIGHT]]I called regarding me being late to my appointment. Nobody answered, I waisted my time and gas coming to this office.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]My appointment was at 11:45 I arrived at 12 which ment I just made it to the 15 minute grace period. The receptionist went to the doctor to ask if I was still able to be seen but the doctor said they will not see me today, I will have to reschedule...mind you I just made it at 15 minutes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Yes I understand that I was late but come on. I literally just made it and for all that if ANYONE would have answered the phone I would have been able to give an ETA and determine if the doctor would be available to take me or rather than coming all the way to this office to be turned away... won't be seeing me again![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I visited this facility earlier this year for flu symptoms. They tested me for flu and covid-19 (which came back positive). Due to this, Dr. Rafael decided to not see me in person, but through a video call from the room behind me. He tried to prescribe me Paxlovid for a retail price of $1500 (which I did not learn of until I visited my pharmacy). The visit was 10 minutes long maximum. I was billed $700 total for my visit which part of was due to a "telemed" and "follow-up" visit as I was told by a rep. Both were untrue as it was all within one singular, 10-minute visit and it was in-person. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I confronted the office about this via phone and email - I received no response.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I continue to get spam calls from Vanguard regarding this bill and every time a different representative tells me to speak with the office about my issue, which I already have to no avail.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would never recommend this site nor this doctor to anybody. read more

I've been coming here for almost 7 years for annual preventive and have issues with their dishonest billing practices. I have several instances when I got surprised by out of pocket charges. They did not disclose charge upfront and I only found out after insurance claims. Simply stating a concern can mean that you can be billed for more. This year, I was told that my current cholesterol has been increasing, which I can infer myself from reading the blood test results. That simple discussion automatically cost me $. If not for this dishonest billing practice, I would have continue coming here. read more

It is laughable that VMG continues to show up at the Jersey City Pride festival year after year. I was fooled by these tactics and really believed that this practice was what they presented themselves to be: a place where, in the words of Medical Director Sally Mravcak, "Every patient deserves excellent care offered with dignity and respect." Dr. Mravcak was my primary care physician for several years until I got really sick. I will spare readers the details, but I ended up spending months seeing several specialists to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. There were several times when I needed Dr. Mravcak to be my advocate, but she failed every time. Dr. Mravcak's practice is all about making a buck. I was not given a simple follow-up ultrasound imaging order without being forced into a billable office visit. I had already communicated with the doctor via the patient portal but was refused the order from another physician in the practice while she was on vacation. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The office staff and medical assistants were all sympathetic and friendly through this ordeal, but Dr. Krystal Green (who has, thankfully, left the practice) treated me in the same way that I had become accustomed to as a patient at VMG. She was dismissive, cold, condescending, and downright rude.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I cannot even say that this practice is reliable for annual checkups and sick visits, as getting an appointment within a week of catching a cold is downright impossible.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Do not trust your health with Vanguard Medical Group. Go literally anywhere else. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]For a few years, my PCP was here. She's very nice in person--very kind.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But in the summer of 2023, I started getting numbness in the fingertips of both my hands. I assumed it was carpal tunnel, as did she, despite the fact that it began simultaneously in both hands. But then I realized that when I bent my neck, I was having electrical shocks that ran down my back. I googled it and realized it was a symptom often associated with MS. I messaged the PCP with this concern and she wrote it off as probably to do with a pinched nerve, from bad posture at a computer. Since my message described a very specific sensation and mentioned MS, it have made sense for her to look it up; it's called Lhermitte's sign. I am glad I did think my symptoms through and contact a neurologist when I did -- there are good treatments for MS now, but it's important to start one as soon as possible, and if I'd listened to my PCP I might have gone much longer without getting the diagnosis I needed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When I messaged her a few months later saying I had MS and asking for recommendations about good neurologists, she wrote "Sorry to hear" and couldn't recommend neurologists.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I know all medical practitioner are terribly strained these days, and again, in person this PCP was very sweet; she probably just didn't have a second to spend on a random message.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But the message kind of stung, and the whole experience did not leave me very confident in her or in Vanguard; I have to assume Vanguard is overloading its PCPs with patients. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]I initially made an appointment for a blood test for Saturday about 1 1/2 months ago and was given 11am then.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I called to change the time earlier than 11am a day before appointment. The reception desk lady told me on this Friday that you can come around 9am given it is a blood draw.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Unfortunately I came earlier but have to wait for an hour for all who came later but have an appointments to finish. [[HIGHLIGHT]]By 10am this office became quiet. I could have been told to come at 10am.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Waiting for blood draw for almost an hour is crazy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The communication and the respect for patients and patients' time, particularly from Saturday front desk lady (Niela?) can be much better.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]They won't answer the phone anymore.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have been declining slowly since about 2022 and now they don't return calls[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], all of my providers have left the practice and the front desk doesn't even bother to respond to patients. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have lost me and our whole family with excellent insurance as customers.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Been going to Vanguard for years, the Doctors are all great, and the staff is friendly and wants to help, but the systems they use are TERRIBLE. This is a corporate run office and make no mistake, the corp back end that runs it looks at this as business and profit first. I have been through 2 "replacements" of their back end system now and both times it was a nightmare. From not having records available after upgrade, to the system calling me multiple times to tell me I had test results ready (results I already viewed and reviewed with the Doctor) to be clear, the DOCTORS and STAFF are GREAT. The systems SUCK read more

Had an appointment today with Swetal Patel Physicians assistant. She has the worst bed side manner ever. I've been a patient at Vanguard for years now and unfortunately the last 3 doctors I had have left the practice. I was very specific when I made my appointment. I'm moving and I need an updated ESA letter for my yorkies. Swetal said she couldn't help because she had never seen me before. Hello, how about my past records? She was abrupt, rude and dismissive. If you want professional care I suggest you go elsewhere. read more

Absolutely terrible! Horrible staff. Got a voicemail that the appointment was moved to 930am and when I show up at 915am, I was not seen because apparently there was a miscommunication and the appointment was at 9am. Which somehow is my fault! This is after an appointment was postponed by 3 weeks. Rude and unhelpful front desk staff, refused to give me a number for a manager and 'have to wait for a call back' which I'm sure will never happen. Do not waste your time at this place! Wish zero stars was an option. read more

I have been going to VMG for about 1.5 years now. VMG is in the heart of Jersey City and at a walkable distance from several neighboring residential buildings. There is plenty of paid and free street parking close by. It is two blocks away from Grove St Path station. You can make appointments, fill out check-in info, view test results - all online. Staff are courteous and professional. I never had a wait time at VMG, but today I had to wait for 15 mins. I've been seen by a couple of doctors at VMG, but my best experience was with Dr Sally Mravcak. Dr Mravcak really listened, cared, took notes, asked the right questions and more details, provided valuable input, discussed tests and next steps thoroughly. I was just not another patient for her. read more

I am not sure if some of these reviews are meant for Vanguard's other multiple locations, but I have been so happy with my first experience at the Jersey City office when I could not get a SINGLE Dr to get me the 2nd dose of the Shingrix vaccine (it was in such short supply when it first came out 2017-18?) that I decided to make Dr Sally and this location my GP and go-to for medical care since I was "shopping" for a new place (good-bye awful Alliance on Columbus Ave)! I agree they were short handed during the Covid "drought" and had to wait a longer time than normal for an open appointment, but now the staff is very quick to answer the phone (a real human, imagine that!) to get me in ASAP. I rarely have to wait more than 15 minutes, and depending on the reason (particular issue or annual wellness visit/follow up) the total in and out time is (usually) under an hour. Despite the learning curve of their wonky patient portal (yes, seems everyone is going "corporate"), once you feel your way around, it is great to "talk" directly with the Doctor, add documents from other doctors/labs for your profile AND get a reply within 48hrs! As for billing, maybe I'm biased b/c I have never had an issue with my insurance. Again, I am reviewing only the J.City location, thus surprised by the low 3 star average. All I can say is that after years of being without a reliable and caring primary team, I am happy to have found this place. read more

My appt is at 1pm but they have to eat lunch upstairs first so all the patients that came early for their appts are standing outside waiting for them because they have to lock the office with everyone at lunch. Does this make sense? Don't think I'll be back. read more

I gave this place 2 tries and won't be going back again. Dr. Mravcak is condescending, dismissive, and was very judgemental about a medication I am prescribed by a specialist. I'd never had such a rude experience with a doctor. I went back recently and saw Cara Jacobs. She ran bloodwork, but not everything she said she would run. There were abnormalities in what she did run, but no one from the office ever called to follow up with me about it. Thankfully, Quest emailed me directly and I was able to get the results that way. Front desk staff are rude and unfriendly and there are long wait times in the office. If you are looking for a caring doctor/staff that are organized and will take your health seriously this is not the place. read more

Dishonest billing practices. I went there for my annual wellness visit last month. Needless to say I was surprised when I was charged for an outpatient visit and billed for a $40 copay - this was just my annual physical! After speaking with billing and the doctor's office, I was shocked to learn that because I discussed in my annual physical that I was having trouble sleeping and also had a scar that wasn't healing right, that elevated the visit beyond their definition of an annual physical. This was during the part of the annual physical when the provider asks, "Anything bothering you?" I didn't realize that this was just a fishing expedition to get me to give information that they could then bill me for. I was floored. I personally will not be returning to this practice given these ridiculous billing practices. read more

The doctors there are amazing but the rules they have in place are very questionable and trying to take the maximum money out of your insurance. If you have any covid symptoms and you have a PCR results negative they won't still see you because they need a test done in their location to ensure you don't have covid. 3 months ago I had a ear infection and they won't see me, even though I told them I had blood coming out of my ear and I had my negative covid PCR test results. 1 month ago my husband got gastroenteritis with high fever and with the negative results from CityMD they wouldn't see him in person, he had to run to ER since his fever was very high and her blood pressure too. This is just very bad, that a primary doctor won't see you if you have any covid symptoms at this time when everyone is vaccinated and usually the symptoms of covid are minimum. read more

This review is for vanguard jersey city location. Horrible front door staff. Bunch of people who hate their job and are always pain to talk with. Have zero professionalism and you feel more sick after talking to them. Dr.Green haven't met her but i already feel she is there just for money. Parking is pain in that area and zero assistance from the facility. She is bot interested in seeing sick patients when they are late as they were busy finding parking around for more than 20 mins. Billing department is a scam here. And best is it is ok if they make you wait for whatever time. Bunch of idiots running and working the facility. read more

If you like to get healthcare in a "corporate" type of setting, this is it. Took my daughter in for a routine wellness visit, PA Mesa decides that there's too much earwax and proceed to attempt to remove it. That's fine. She was successful in one ear but not the other. Do yourself a favor and go to DRS Medical instead, where if and when they bill for ear wax removal, they actually have the mechanized equipment to flush it out with diluted hydrogen peroxide. Besides her clinical skills being average at best, turns out she billed a wellness visit, a separate office visit, and also earwax removal. They are under pressure to squeeze out as much revenue as possible. As a fellow healthcare provider affiliated with a large health system as well as a private practice owner, she could have also easily billed for the ear wax removal along with the wellness visit, and not an additional office visit. She is either so new she needs to prove herself to the company, or she is on production, or both. read more

I've been going here the past two years and really enjoyed my experience. The women at the front reception are always pleasant and helpful and it's usually a quick waiting time (no more then 10 mins) with an apt. I love Breanna Mesa. She is the best dr I have been to and super down to earth. It's like your talking to a friend. She is always super responsive and gets back to you quickly in the portal which is amazing. I even have my boyfriend going to her now 10/10 would reco read more

Always professional. Never a wait. Great front desk. Made my visit a pleasure. Highly recommended to my family and friends.

Front desk staff are aloof and cold, long waits for blood work as they only have one phlebotomist, poor communication and appear disorganized. Oh and when you call be prepared to be out on hold for an unreasonable amount of time. Verona office is so much more accommodating and accessible. UPDATE: just changed my above review from 3 stars to 2 because it turns out they didn't even do the right blood test last time I was here! Front desk just openly admitted to me they made a mistake and ran the wrong tests.... this place is ridiculous read more

Today I have waited 30+ minutes in the lobby then left. Last time myself and my son waited around 40 minutes to see the doctor and i did not say anything or wrote a review but this time i feel like i had to. Good doctors and staff but they need to work on their schedules. If you can`t keep up with the pace, please don`t book people and make them wait. read more

Such a pain to work with these people. They are incredibly rigid and difficult to work with. If you can, please find another place to work with. We wanted a yellow fever vaccine. As normal practice, they want to be paid directly and won't take insurance. However, they still require you to provide tons of insurance information and loads of additional information completely unncessary for the appointment. They call constantly to bug you to fill in their forms and are very difficult if they are not filled in exactly as they want. We ended up going to Sullivan Street Medical. It's a tiny bit cheaper and we filled in just a quick 5 question form. https://www.sullivanstreetmedical.com/ They are a pleasure in comparison! read more

I couldn't be happier with the service from this group. They are my primary care providers and setting up appointments is so easy. There's an online portal, so you don't even need to call if you don't need to. I am usually able to get an appointment same day or next day - even for setting up yearly physicals. The office is so clean and I haven't waited over 15 minutes for my appointment. Perhaps this is because I come on weekdays for my appointments? The staff is also so pleasant, the doctors/ pa's,/ np's/ nurses really care about you and take the time to listen. Also the woman who draws blood (I'm forgetting her name) is so nice! I don't think I've had a negative experience here. They're also very inclusive and have a very diverse staff - highly recommend read more

Worst place ever! Nothing gets done without calling them MULTIPLE times. They cannot handle insurance updates. I gave them my new insurance info 3 times (before visiit, during visit, a call after visit since they could not find my insurance info) and still the lab and the office sent me full bills without insurance coverage. I had tol call the lab and the billing dept my self MULTIPLE times to update the insurance info myself and it is going to takes weeks to get it processed. This could have been avoided if they had updated the info correctly the first time. They said it is not their fault and told me "Okay" when I told them this is really frustaring. I also had to call them three times for a routine prescription refill. I was without my medications for a few days because they could not process it punctually. Would not recommend this place. read more

I have been searching for a good and efficient doctor's office in downtown Jersey City for a long time. Dr Sally Mravcak and her staff at Vanguard Medical are the one. I get preventative physical exams done annually. My complaints about my previous doctors are that charge me a copay for my second visit to go through my preventative bloodwork results or made me wait for at least 30 minutes past my appointment time. Let me walk you through my vastly different experience at this office... I made an appointment via ZocDoc to see Dr Mravcak on Friday. On the same day that I booked the appointment, the office called me to ask me to come in a few days earlier to get my blood drawn (so proactive!). I came in at 8am on Tuesday, ready with my Kindle, expecting the usual 30+ minutes wait. To my surprise, I was called in within 5 minutes to get my blood drawn. The nurse had a great hand - I felt only the slightest pinch when the needle pricked. She asked me a few questions, drew my blood and everything was done under 10 minutes. The receptionist then handed me my new patient form to fill at home and bring in on my appointment on Friday. Efficiency to the max! Friday came. Kindle in hand, I checked in with the receptionist (no money asked), handed over my form and before I could even start reading, the nurse called me in. She took my vitals and handed me over to Dr Mravcak. Dr Mravcak is warm, friendly and sweet. More importantly, she was thorough and made me feel comfortable to ask any questions. She left me with a write up of recommendations on a healthy lifestyle, catered to me and my age group. This is the first time that I've been to a doctor's office where the bulk of my time there was actually spent with the doctor as opposed to waiting. The only recommendation for this office is to open up after work hours appointment slots. Otherwise, a very well-deserved 5 stars! read more

I had the WORST experience. I had a 2:00 P.M. appointment for bloodwork. They got my vitals taken almost as soon as I arrived--which I thought was great--but then I had to wait around 45 minutes for the doctor to come in! A very sweet and patient doctor asks me some questions and leaves. Then comes the nurse to tell me that there were TWO more people ahead of me!! At this point I've already waited 50+ minutes to get my blood work done. I simply left without rescheduling an appointment, they obviously do not value the patient's time at all. Mind you. This is a review of the overall experience, the Doctor and staff had nothing to do with it, they were actually really nice. I guess it's just bad time management from the office itself. read more

I Took my 5 year old to see Dr. Setti-Sha for an annual visit and was very happy with everything throughout the visit from the short wait time, to the friendly staff, and the Doctor's bedside manners. She's super knowledgeable and the way she interacted with my daughter makes me feel like she should be a pediatrician. I have no complaints, 5 stars all the way. read more

This office made a mess of schedule. They claim they are not aligned with zocdoc and insist on calling their office for appointments. And then their office don't honor the appointments. I was turned away from their office due to their own mess. You imagine extra care will be taken these days to make sure things run smoothly, but you'll be in for a surprise! They have absolutely no regard for people's time. Avoid them, there are many other clinics in Jersey City that are better organized. read more

The staff is so nice and the doctors aswell. I like the feature you have an online portal to check all your results

The office had great potential, came in, staff seemed friendly, doctor seemed great, but the facade sadly is false and once you have to deal with the doctor and staff to help you with an issue, forget about it. Below are the reasons why it gets 1 star: 1) lack of liability in their mistakes I was asked to come in to go over my blood work. Naturally I thought something was wrong and came in. I waited over an hour to be seen, only to be told everything was fine. When I asked why wasn't I told this over the phone like other doctors would, I was told "apologies there was a miscommunication". Office did NOTHING to waive or reduce the fee. 2) unethical behavior Regarding my appointment mentioned above, I waited 5 months for the staff to talk to billing to talk to my insurance about this charge. After 5 months the billing dept said it would send my charge to a collection agency if I don't pay. So I paid. When the doctor finally called me back after all this time, she said nothing she can do because I already paid (what a catch 22!! Pay or we send you to a collection agency, but now that we have your money, it's no longer our problem, fantastic) 3) illegal labeling of charge On top of this office visit (which I did NOT request or need) to go over blood work, it was charged as an ECHOCARDIOGRAPH! I will attach a statement from my insurance to prove this. WHAT?! that is NOT what I had done and when I went to the office to show them what my insurance had sent me, she didn't even bother looking at the form. So to summarize, I was called in for an appointment I did not need, only to be charged for it, and with a mislabeled code. She said she "apologized for the staff error" but I would not be refunded because it is a closed case. If you're like me and hardly go to the doctor's office and when you do, you just want a quick check-up, no hassles, then avoid! You will go in for an annual check-up, leave with the doctor recommending 5 more apts that you "need" in order for them to get more money from you or your insurance, and if you have any issues- forget about getting them resolved. Staff and billing dept collude against the patient. Very disappointed as the office looked great and I had such high hopes for the place. On top of this, I messaged the doctors via their portal twice and received no response. As long as you don't have any issues and you don't complain, you're good. But if there is a billing error or scheduling problem, forget about it being resolved in a fair and ethical manner. If you in anyway shape or form insinuate that the doctor or her office made a mistake, they get super defensive and all doors of communication close. read more

I originally googled information on doctors in Jersey City when I was initially looking for a new M.D. I came across Dr. Sally Mravcak and read some good reviews. I was able to get my blood work done before my annual physical so that we can go over the results and take it from there. Dr, Mravcak is bottom line amazing. She explained everything on my chart took her time answered all my questions. She is not only patient you can tell she really wants the best for you. I was beyond thrilled with my choice to have her has my primary doctor now. Staff at the facility are courtesy and very professional. Highly recommend. read more

Beware, there are thieves in this area. Don't listen to the front desk. My son rode his road bike to see a dr at this facility. He was told by the front desk to put the bike in the hallway right next to the office waiting area. When he got out of the appointment, his bike was gone. We talked to the front desk to no avail. We called cops and filed the report. The bike has never been recovered. It is stolen in the broad day light right next to the office while the patient is in the exam room...it is ridiculous. I repeat, Don't listen to the front desk. It is NOT a safe place. read more

This group truly has the most wonderful doctors. I always feel taken care of and listened to no matter how small or large the situation seems. Their hours are flexible and they accommodate me often within the next day. I recently moved 30 minutes away but I will be keeping them as my primary care. I highly recommend Vanguard Medical Group. read more

For a very long time I was looking for a decent doctor to see. Last place I went to they lost my blood- don't ask me how! I met with Dr.Shah today and she was just amazing. Everyone from the minute you walk in was very pleasant. Dr.Shah took her time listening to my issues, I felt extremely comfortable, and left feeling certain of what I need to do to better my health. They draw your blood on the spot, perform Pap smears..etc! People if you're looking for a great doctor- this is the place to go. read more

I am giving two stars for the amazing panel of doctors. However it's a headache to get to the doctor. We really like doctor sally. I have been having stomach pains for the last few days. When we called they told us we cannot see Dr Sally for three weeks. I can't sit with my stomach pain for three weeks. However there was an open house on Saturday which starts at 11 am. So if we called on Saturday at 11:00 am we will get the appointment. When we called at 10:15 just to check and confirm they told us all the appointments for that day are gone. We were surprised and tried to explain our situation to the front desk. We told them that you asked to call at 11:00. The person at the front desk named Chad was very rude and just said there is some miscommunication, the phone lines open at 10:00. The next available appointment is 20 days away. How am I supposed to sit with my stomach pain till then. Extremely disappointing. Dr Sally, pls tell us if there is some other clinic you work with. We do not like the way Vanguard medical group is managed esp the front desk. read more

I've been here for both in person appointments and video consultations. I've had positive experiences every time :) I absolutely love the staff and my doctor Dr. Setty-Shah. The staff really cares about their patients and make me feel so welcomed. read more

Dr. Mravcak is wonderful. I like not having to go to a separate gyn for basic care. It's always easy to schedule online or by phone, the staff is courteous and kind. The phlebotomist is very good and makes blood draws quick and painless. I also like that they have a phone doctor system where you can have a consult w a doctor 7 days a week for stuff like minor infections or allergies so you don't have to come into the office for every little thing. I can't speak to how they are for people with complicated medical situations or kids but for basic medical care they've been great. read more

Had Cara Jacobs today and she's amazing. Second time I've been to this office and they're great.

Terrible I tried to call they never answer their phones, always went to voice mail, they don't call back