Northwest ENT and Allergy - Milwaukie, Oregon

Kristin L. E.

Thyroid cancer patient sent to NW ENT & Allergy for lumps in my throat. First diagnosis was to take antacid for the 11 lumps on the left and 10 on the right. Next quarter an ultrasound was ordered and the results were sent thru a program called Athena to set up my account to see results. I did as instructed and got a pop up that says your Dr has to approve your account. Then I continued to be spammed by email and text to see the results. On my way to my appt which is 33 min away, there was an accident and severe rain. I was running almost 10 min late and Isaac called and said oh, don't come, we have a 7 min policy. We can not have the next patient delayed because of you. Felt scolding and condescending. I tried to explain and he just said we would reschedule. Still NO RESULTS discussed. In addition, we have sat in the lobby as well as the treatment room for longer than 15 minutes waiting while there. I rescheduled with Isaac and then later that evening when I received the ZocDoc confirm, I used the program to cancel, received a confirm of the cancellation. This morning, I received another aggressive call from Isaac asking if I was almost there. Explained I canceled and he essentially just hung up on my in the middle of a statement. Then a female called me and asked if I wanted to reschedule my missed appt, I explained, again, I canceled and would not be returning. She then wanted me to go thru which email I used, etc.... Truly, THIS is your concern? This office seems to have no idea which tools they are using, pepper patients with redundant calls, ask you to schedule and then call and ask you why you scheduled with them. It is quite bizarre. This office did a wonderful job on my husbands deviated septum surgery but apparently that is their only strength. In my opinion, this office is NOT about helping people/patients but rather strictly a business and a poorly run one at that. If I allowed my office to operate this poorly, I would not have any clients. There are other providers who may secretly hate their role, but mask it much better and their offices are run much more efficiently. Be sure to do your own research before deciding on the provider for you.

Ben M.

Super frustrating place to deal with. Hard to get people on the phone and get things scheduled. My out of pocket costs for regular allergy shots weren't explained to me until after I had to fork out $1k out of pocket for testing. Even though I was clear each time I talked to them that I wanted to receive allergy shots.

Sarah D.

I've been calling and trying to get through to someone to make an appointment and no one answers the phone then they send a text message to my phone telling me they are busy and assisting other patients. Understandable. So i drive in to make and appointment and person and there are 3 girls sitting behind the receptionist desk, chillin and gossiping to each other about their boyfriend they met at church and their date they are going to go on like they are sitting and having a coffee date. I'm in pain, I want to schedule an appointment. You clearly were not busy and could've easily answered the phone. The clinic was empty.
I just feel like they don't truly care about you here, it feels like a front. Super tiny facility. Keep looking elsewhere

Amanda D.

I gave three stars because Dr. Varela is a good doctor, the medical assistants are kind, and my wait times weren’t too long for appointments. However, the office/billing side of this practice is terrible. I understand that they only have a very part time billing specialist, but that is not good service to have billing questions and concerns be almost impossible to address in a timely manner.

Regarding the front desk: I drove all the way across the city for an appointment that I took off work for, and when I showed up I was told that my appointment was cancelled from my positive Covid test. That was someone else’s test; I did not have Covid nor call about a test! That is a highly unprofessional that they mixed up someone else’s medical information with mine; it’s easy to confirm patient info and date of birth. I was put back on the schedule, thinking that meant I would be seen soon. When I approached the front desk after waiting for a while, I found out they put me on for an appointment later that morning without even telling me it was later.

Additionally, I called to have my medical records transferred, and they did not follow through with getting those sent. I understand they are busy transitioning to a new space, which I understand is a lot, but the front office end of things needs to change. I will not return to this practice.

Emily W.

Staff was very friendly during our visit. Hearing test was comprehensive and professionally completed. The doctor's visit was brief but professional. The billing department & front desk staff are difficult to impossible to reach via phone for follow up questions and calls are not reliably returned. I would not return here for care.

KJ S.

I missed two scheduled visits, one being due to Covid and I’m told that I can’t schedule any more appointments here.

Normal practice is a fee for missed appointments, not banishing patients from seeing their care providers.

Providence really shining through with their excellent reputation here!

Delphine L.

Not a fat-friendly practice. I felt fat shamed the first time I went there, so I reached out to them about it. The next time I went there, I was fat-shamed again. I'm pretty sure that I could show up there on fire and still be fat-shamed. The doctor was incredibly unhelpful as well. I've requested from my PCP to send a referral elsewhere.

Dima K.

Staff in this office are supper friendly and kind. Very easy to schedule appointment and was happy with the outcome. Definitely recommend