LifeLong West Berkeley Health Center

I just got off the phone with their urgent care, and I couldn't believe the level of rudeness from the staff on the line. She spoke to me in a very surprisingly informal, impatient way. "So did want to come in today or tomorrow or..." was her question, and I told her today would be fine, trying to polite to her. She told me that today there would be nine avaliable slots and its first come, first serve. I thought she was talking about appointment slots, not drop ins, so I told id be ok with that. I was expecting her to explain a time slot, but instead, she just kept repeating: "there are nine slots avaliable, and its first come, first serve" With her voice getting increasingly irritated. She didnt bother to clarify herself, or explain she meant drop ins. I said "ok, ill go with that...", thinking, again, that she was going to 'give' me a time slot. Instead, she hangs up on me. No polite goodbye, no clarification. If this is how folks are treated at this facility, im very concerned. There was zero genuine care or professionalism from this individual member of Lifelong's staff. I'm new to Lifelong Medical, and based on this call and my impression of a total lack of professionalism and basic decency I received from this call, I would not trust this facility to give me any adequate urgent or primary care whatsoever. And dont plan on seeking it here. I got on the phone with Osita Clinic instead straight after.

I deal with Lifelong's Street Medicine team. they helped me get my hernia repair surgery approved by Medicare, scheduled at the hospital I wanted it done at, and put me up for 2 weeks at their respite facility so I had time off the streets to recover. I have had nothing but good experiences with Lifelong, they have some of the most caring and capable people on their staff.

I’m a new patient who recently established primary care with LifeLong Medical West Berkeley. My first appointment was over the phone, which went smoothly. However, my first in-person visit left a poor impression because of the front desk experience. When I arrived, I waited several minutes without being acknowledged. There were three staff members at the front desk, all appearing busy on their computers, but none took even a moment to greet me or let me know they’d be right with me. When I was finally being helped, the staff member stopped assisting me mid-check-in to help another patient who was already being helped by someone else. The medical assistant and doctor were both great professional, kind, and attentive but the front desk staff set a disappointing tone for new patients & established patients. First impressions matter, and based on other reviews, it seems I’m not the only one who has noticed issues with customer service at the front desk. Hopefully, this is something the clinic will work to improve.

You will not be able to see your assigned primary care provider ever. All booked up. Instead you will see the next random NP who has a slot open. I have been at Lifelong about ten years and rarely have seen the same hcp twice. The referral office does not call the specialist to see if there is availability first. It is not in their protocol. It has happened at least three times for different referals. As a consequence, you lose at least another two weeks each time. If you have CHRONIC PAIN?, DO NOT STAY AT LIFELONG OR JOIN. You will suffer while they slowly move on the next patient on their list and forget you. And yes, you are forgotten.

This location is heaven sent. Doctors and staffs are angels. Barbara is quite helpful. Dr. Prakter is the best out there.