Austin Regional Clinic: ARC Leander

**please read entire review to get comprehensive information about Dr. Rodolpho Guitterez and the support team of ARC-Leander as it covers Dr. Guitterez, his MA (medical assistant) normally this is a very nice man named Bathazaar (sp?), nurses, support staff, and the lab tech (phlebotomist-aka blood work). I am a real patient with a real review.

My husband and I both have been patients of Dr. Rodolpho Macias-Guitterez, also affectionately referred to as Dr. G for several years now. Here’s what I know for sure. He absolutely knows exactly what he is talking about or he tells us if the issue is more in-depth or complicated than he is comfortable with and if he thinks we consult a specialist if the issue is better addressed elsewhere. It doesn’t happen very often because Dr. Guitterez is VERY SMART. If you have a history of substantial medical issues (like my husband and I both do) and you know your body, and not just basic knowledge based on a google search Dr. G is absolutely willing and able to hear you out and consider these factors. He ALWAYS errs on the side of caution (for our well-being and safety, but is mindful of the costs to us) and will let us know if he wants to check lab results, order new lab tests. On numerous occasions he has called or asked his Medical assistant/nurses to check in with us to see how things are going, or to check to see if I went to the hospital like I promised too (I hadn’t gone, YET, and he explained to me what would happen if I didn’t go ASAP) and he’s never steered us wrong ONCE. My husband and I enjoy being patients of Dr. G, and ARC, and he’s made it better than tolerable to be in a situation where an HMO that requires a referral from your PCP bearable, instead of unsure and miserable. Dr. G is ALWAYS kind and compassionate and he has impeccable bed side manners.

Getting referrals to see a specialist is very easy, especially if you take the time to get familiar with MyChart, the app that allows you to make appointments, view your lab results, request referrals, read physician notes, send and receive messages to and from Dr. G, and the medical support team, and provide information-ESPECIALLY during peak hours in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic at the height of peak season.

Recently in November of 2020 I called about an appointment and the phones were so busy it was crazy. I was finally able to speak to a nurse about my situation and she told me how crazy the phones were. She even informed me that there were over a 100 people currently in que to speak to someone and all these people called at the same time or close to it after I called, and the nurse profusely apologize for the hold time. They have been doing the best they can given the current circumstances of a global pandemic that is plaguing the WORLD. My advice to anyone that finds themselves in this situation-be patient, and know that if you have been on hold for a long time, or if you are anxious about your medical issues and want to speak to a nurse, they will get to you and they aren’t lacking in customer support. I think personally ARC is very well staffed. The appointment desk is always polite and informative.

Dr. Rodolpho Guitterez has same day/urgent care appointments for patients that call early when the phone lines open up Monday-Friday that are designated for same day/urgent care needs. You can book these appointments by calling early on the day you want to be seen, OR you can book them in the MyChart app if you are a established patient with access to your chart on the app. For us it’s extremely convenient knowing we have this option since co-pays to ER, or Urgent care are VERY expensive with my insurance plan. So I would rather come in or get worked into a open spot for a $15 co-pay. Plus I would rather see my Primary Care doctor over a doctor who doesn’t know me.

ARC-Leander has a phlebotomist that works onsite in Leander to collect labs and process so you don’t have to go somewhere else for that.

The waiting room observes the Mask mandate, and social distancing.

Font Desk extremely RUDE and UNPROFFESSIONAL! She hung up on my face while trying to book an appointment. Worst Customer service -_-

Highly recommend Dr. Manthena. If you book an appointment with her, you will see why. She's thorough, informative, transparent, compassionate and seeks to understand.

It's pathetic experience overall. If you have other option then go for it. ARC don't value their patient and doesn't provide proper service. We have to follow up for little things. Staff is not so friendly.
I have had very bad experience regarding refferal. Physician has reffered me to specialist and ask me to take an appointment which is of no use. If you think patient needs refferal then you should arrange appointment for that patient ASAP. But I need to call every day to get in at specialist appointment.
They wait for patients condition to be worse.
Very disappointing.

Doctors and staff are all nice and the facility is clean and well maintained. My only issue is that it takes too long to get a refill authorization. The pharmacy sent the request over 2 weeks ago and still no word from the office, even after calling to follow up. Still no response and no meds. I have now gone 2 weeks without medication. This is unacceptable!

I've been going to ARC for years and Leabder is one of the best locations. Dr. Manthena is my primary care and she's amazing! She has great bedside manner and listens very well. I'm so glad I have her for my primary!

Dr. Gutierrez is unlike any other PCP I have ever crossed paths with. The level of concern, care, respect and diligence in treating his patients as he would want his own family treated is truly unmatched. When he stopped coming to the Manor ARC location I, without hesitation, decided to continue seeing him at the Leander ARC office. He never dismisses your concerns or thoughts in regards to your health. He never rushes you and yet there isn't some insane wait time to see him either. I have had doctors who didn't rush patients through their appointments but that has always come at a hefty price of long wait times such as having a scheduled appointment at 9 a.m. But not actually seeing a doctor until 10 a.m. Or later. The support staff at his office are also top-notch. All of them. It doesn't matter if you are at the front desk getting assistance when you check in, getting labs done or having an encounter with any of the nurses (by phone or in person) the support staff for Dr. Gutierrez's office are always friendly and efficient. I literally can not say enough positive things about this physician or the staff at ARC Leander. They really are one of a kind and I hope they know how incredible they are as well as how much I sincerely appreciate them!

GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
This ARC has been nothing but a pain in the behind for my mom. The office manager is rude and very unprofessional. The front desk clerk's are nice but can't take care of anything. My mom has been trying to get some paperwork faxed to her insurance company and it takes them multiple tries to locate the paperwork, then it takes mutiple phone calls from us to have them send it to insurance company. Even with calling the records department, we had to speak with a person who clearly was making up things to not do his job. We got all BS about not having authorization and them not being able to fax. Can you believe a records department can't fax.
I am trying to keep this short but there is so much to tell. Please get the hint and take yourself somewhere else for medical treatment, it's not worth the headache, rude, unprofessional behavior and your time to go though the stress.