Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Doctor recommendations?

Can anyone recommend a good primary care physician in Albuquerque? My wife has been trying to deal with UNM Hospitals, but it has just been one headache after another. I don't know if she just has had bad luck or what, but the staff she has dealt with there has been really rude and unhelpful.

If anyone has a suggestion for a good doctor/office, that would be SO helpful. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by lovingnm on May 29, 2009 at 5:05pm: I followed a recommendation here and went to see Dr. Alyson Thal. What a winner! She is so very thorough and engaged. Makes me love living here even more. Thanks, Duke City Fix.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lesley Goddin on June 9, 2009 at 6:23pm: Wow! I am in HEAVEN!!!! Everyone's recommendations have been SO helpful. My company evaluates its healthcare insurer every year and generally switches, so I've had HeartSmart, United Healthcare and BCBS in three years. That generally also means changing docs every year which is torture.

This year (BCBS) I thought I found a doc I'd like based on some friends' recommendations but I am very....nonplussed. Didn't wash her hands before the exam (despite leaving the room and taking a phone call, then taking another call in the middle of going over my labwork), took the pad of paper on which I was taking notes OUT OF MY HANDS to start the exam, did not examine my thyroid/throat, ears, eyes, reflexes, etc. which generally are part of a physical exam and recommended what I thought was an extremely harsh course of treatment for something that I don't think needs treatment at all. In other things, she had some good recommendations and suggestions, so I don't totally want to dis her online since I've only had one real exam with her.

But....that being said, I'm thinking of looking elsewhere for someone who can be a real partner in health with me. Was thinking of going the D.O. route, so all the glowing reviews for Timothy Grenemeyer and his associate sound really encouraging. As a woman, I generally prefer female docs, but after the last two I am willing to give a male doc a try and just find a gyno for "female stuff" (so any good BCBS gyno recommendations are appreciated!)

One other recommendation -- my boyfriend really likes Val Gieri with the ABQ Health Partners system-- formerly on Academy, now on Montgomery west of Eubank. Doesn't have trouble getting in to see him and likes his demeanor and approach to treatment.

Thank you everyone -- AND Duke City Fix! What a great resource!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lesley Goddin on July 2, 2009 at 3:30pm: I hate to dis a doc online, but I really want to warn folks about the new doc I mention above: Cynthia Griebler at Tramway and Encantado. I do think she is competent and seems to be on the ball when it came to looking at low levels of vitamin D and iron in my labwork. And apparently for some of my friends, she is well liked. But there are some things to be forewarned about.

In addition to the negatives I originally mentioned, I found another today when I was investigating some strange charges on my BCBS EOB. It seems there was a SECOND office visit charged for the day of my physical exam. Surely that had to be an error, I thought. Until I found out what it was: the doc charged me (and BCBS) for a preventative wellness visit, and then -- because we had discussion about the labwork and she claims, allergic rhinitis (which was not the case; I mentioned some skin itchiness I had been experiencing and she tied it to allergic rhinitis) -- she also charged me for an "illness exam" to the tune of $177. Well, BCBS isn't paying for 2 exams in one day -- I don't blame them. But this doc never informed me that any discussion of findings of my bloodwork would translate into additional charges! Had this been the case, I would have made another appointment and paid the $20 co-pay instead of being saddled with an uncovered $177!!!

This is OUTRAGEOUS. Even though I didn't know about this "loophole" surely the doctor did -- and it shows precious little caring for a patient to barrel ahead this way. I spoke to the billing office, who is going to refer it back to the office. In addition -- part of the covered part of the physical exam (pap test) -- wasn't coded properly under the "Healthy You" exam, and so it's costing me $75! Again, hopefully the billing office can make some headway with this.

Unless a miracle occurs, as soon as I get this straightened out, I am going directly to Timothy Grenemeyer to establish as a patient there. This kind of treatment has no place in the medical profession. I like the Encantado office, but if you have an appointment with Dr. Griebler, be afraid, be very afraid. Or at least be forewarned!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diva Shadow on July 23, 2009 at 9:15am: Southwest Medical Associates, Inc. accepts most insurance companies. Try Dr. Charles Chavez.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by YDI Mentoring Initiative on July 23, 2009 at 9:37am: Michael Montoya, he just went to private practice 6 months ago. But i loved him when he was with presbyterian; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alicia on July 23, 2009 at 11:24am: I was on United Health but now that I have graduated from UNM I can no longer be covered by my dad's insurance so I have to deal with the whole insurance fiasco now. But I was seeing Dr. Quito Carr. His partner Lauren is awesome too. Never had complaints.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by wpw on July 23, 2009 at 12:08pm: Dr Stephanie Horoschak -462-6400 / Montgomery nr Wyoming - more or less - 8800 block.

Sally Bachofer is at UNM - unfortunately I don't think she's taking new patients. But she is excellent and I have only had terrific experience with UNM - both the hospital and the Family Practice Clinic.

Edie Johnson on Eubank - Nurse Practitioner, specializing in hormonal issues/ vitamin deficiencies, etc - also seems v. competent.

Good luck.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lesley Goddin on July 24, 2009 at 3:01pm: Update....I did visit Dr. Grenemeyer today. Found him as amiable as described. Took time to sit and talk with me without giving me the impression he was rushed, made some recommendations, ordered follow up lab work. He was very approachable and encouraging -- looking at my lab work as a whole and responding to me as a whole person, not just an isolated symptom here and there. I also really liked the office's mission statement which includes goals of "celebrating, having fun, being innovative, establishing partnerships, and developing respect and an atmosphere of trust." I found this to be the case with Dr. Grenemeyer. I also very much appreciated that he did not take cell phone calls while meeting with me! Thanks to those of you who posted positive experiences with Dr. Grenemeyer. I think I have found my PCP!; ▶ Reply to This