Gastroenterology Associates-UPMC, Pittsburgh PA

The people and care were great, but UPMC and healthcare in general is an absolute scam. The total cost for a routine colonoscopy was $12,000 before insurance, still leaving me with a $3000 bill. Completely ridiculous, I could not believe the cost for something so routine. At this point I'm just never seeing a doctor again, if I get cancer then whatever, at least I won't feed the thieving beast that is UPMC.

1st appointment was good. But no heat on in lobby. November 2022.36degress outside with snow flurries and no heat. Ridiculous. Many of us older people here and we can get sick.

Dr Musahl and the staff here are just wonderful. Gentle, thorough, and they all provide a beautiful environment. Thank you Theresa, Judy, Ashley, Amy, Alex, and Sheri! And thanks for letting me sing to you:) Gratitude

I went here initially with a referral from my primary on account of lasting right side pain. Previously, I had not been to a doctor for anything serious in my life and a bit unfamiliar with the insurance process. But I did think to ask them if they took my insurance, Highmark. The lady who took my information asked my several questions about it and, in the end, answered "yes, we take this insurance. "

I then learned that Highmark was part of the AHN network and that this facility was a UPMC based one and that meant that no, they don't take this insurance. I mean, they will process the bill through the insurance but they don't reimburse as they are competitors. You would think that the person in billing would have known this or at least thought to mention that I need to look into it.

After seeing a doctor there and getting an endoscopy, I was billed $8,600 to my insurance which rejected the service. On top of that, she had me get a CT scan at another UPMC facility which I asked again if they took my insurance and they said yes. You can see where this is going. That was an $8000 bill to me on top of the 8600. I was in considerable pain at the time but if anyone at any point had said "we MIGHT take your insurance but check with them first, " I would have called and found a different place to go.

Ironically, these bills are so much of a hardship that I have to cancel my insurance to afford them. For one months insurance premium, I purchased a handgun. If the pain returns and is bad enough, that is the solution I can now afford. Welcome to America.

Update: after making contact with a few people, I was pointed to apply for charity. One person along the way had admitted that there was a problem with information dissemination to the people at the offices and likely a mistake made on their end: they used to take this insurance but now don't and people at the desk when you check in for the procedure didn't know that. Anyway, I applied for charity and was approved with no request for income verification. They said this was highly unusual. In any event it seems they realized their mistake and I ended up not having to pay for about 90% of it.

The priorities of this practice seem misplaced. Dr Craig is wonderful, however, the office staff resents inquiring about the status of your case until they are no longer able to avoid it. They are "too busy with their patients", which led me to believe I wasn't considered a patient. If you go there, do not expect a responsive staff. It could take a week for them to get back to you. Then, they may become rude and belligerent if you are in distress. They would do better to just see healthy people. They are not good with people who are ill. I felt like apologizing for even going there in the first place. I won't return.

Went to pick up my daughter who had a colonoscopy with Dr. Tina Musahl. Everyone was kind, efficient, professional and caring. While chatting with the nurse about Covid I learned that she was not vaccinated, although vaccines were available. She was not in a hurry to get the vaccine. I was upset. She was in my daughter's face, with a mask, but still. Shouldn't nurses, or others who are not vaccinated by choice be reassigned from such intimate patient care?

From the moment I arrived and was greeted by Sally, I felt welcomed by all the wonderful staff. Thank you Claudia, Dr. Cho and especially Bernadette who took the time to explain everything to me although Dr. Cho was going to do so. Thanks to the lady who helped me to my car, sorry I forgot your name, the drugs hadn't worn off yet and thank you to anyone I missed. Also thank you for the Thank You card. Who does that, so amazing!

I would highly recommend her. She’s very knowledgeable and she actually listens and takes time to try and help. It’s hard to find a doctor who seems to care and try and understand symptoms and with her you’ll have that

I have been a patient of Dr. Beigi for many years. He is a kindhearted man with MANY decades of experience under his belt. He listens to your concerns. The nurses, aides, administrators are all nice folks as well. It's hard to find a doctor who truly cares.