Eric S. Millstein, MD
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626 written reviews
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Weird staff that’s unknowledgeable about their policies and unable to articulate themselves in a clear manner. Will wait a long time to see the doctor with staff who just make the experience worse.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
I fell on a treadmill that stopped while going around 6.8 mph on an 14.5 incline and slammed hard and fast onto a wood floor. I broke my shoulder, dislocated it, and caused a rotator tear. I waited several weeks for the appointment and drove from the Valley. This was a trek that seemed worth it. Now in retrospect was likely a fair amount of one reviews (questionable ratings). Dr Millstein is nice enough but that does not make a great doctor. He spent less than three minutes with me. There was almost no exam except for 'hold your arm out.' Then he announced the diagnosis of frozen shoulder and proceeded to offer me steroids. I had a tumor history so he then said I could not have this until I got clearance from my doctor. I appreciated that taking that caution, but I would also like to think an MD would know that Glios and brain tumors in this category are the only tumors that are exacerbated by steroids/Cortisones). You would think a doctor would know that. My neurotologist said as much. Additionally, I asked about a Cortisone shot vs steroids. First, he said no to the shot then he flip flopped. I want a doctor to tell me with absolution what I need. This should not be a pick and choose like a pair of shoes with a patient. This is why I drove out of my way. Additionally, he told me to call the doctor myself. I never heard of a doctor telling the patient to call and ask their doctor. Normal protocol is a staff member gets the doctors' info and then communicates with the doctor or gets them on the line with the doctor needing the information (I have a fair number of doctors in my family). I could have not bothered and said it's fine and just had the shot or meds, but I didn't. I was assured that I could be fit in the following week if I had to come back. Thanksgiving weekend was two days later so I had to wait until the following week. I proceeded to call five days after that visit only to be told it would be another two weeks. They offered me a slot that day but there was no way I could get there otherwise it was another two weeks. No accommodations were made and then it's another trip, visit, and more unnecessary nonsense in addition to weeks more pain, but I think it was a lesson learned because he is not the right doctor for me. I sent my info to a surgeon that treats top sports teams, and he offered a non-surgical procedure. Was this even mentioned in that 2.5-minute visit...nope! In conclusion: this doctor does not respect other peoples' time and seems a bit too speedy with the very limited offered care in the visit.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
I'm amending my review because of the long waits I've experienced in the office. This last time I was kept waiting an hour--an inexcusable length of time. Looking back, I realize I've always been kept waiting at least 20 minutes, and often as much as 45. Although Dr. Millstein apologized, these delays say a lot about his attitude--and that of his staff, who were whooping it up in the outer office--towards patients. In short, we are unimportant and our time doesn't matter. Because of their arrogance, I won't be back.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
As a surgeon, I think he is a bit better than OK, however there is a possibility that he did the wrong procedure, but the one that he did do which was coracoid impingement surgery, he managed to do so when I woke up I felt no pain or even my arm as he had filled it with novacain and then gave me pain medicine. His theory is that if you never feel the pain then you shouldn't have as bad of a time. However, it seems as if maybe my AC joint should have been removed and we did argue about that. His office staff is abysmal and tried to charge me 10,000 dollars but I had saved the message where they said I wouldn't pay anything, so after some phone calls that went away. If I were assured that he would cut the right place and I had someone else schedule it, I would use him again. But the over all experience and the fact that 6 years later I am still in pain is an issue.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Unclear if Dr. Millstein's exam rooms are large enough for his ego. I thought he was different than the archetypal egotistical orthopedic surgeon, but I was wrong. I saw Millstein in mid-2012 for a diagnostic knee arthroscopy. My initial impressions of him were very favorable. He performed the surgery and I recovered fairly quickly. Unfortunately Dr. Millstein wasn't able to resolve my problem in the procedure and I trusted his conclusion that an arthroscopy wasn't sufficient to solve my knee problem. However, when I had my first follow-up appointment it became very clear to me that I had misjudged the doctor. He was incredibly short with me and basically told me that he couldn't help me. He showed no interest in further discussing my problem and instead referred to two other doctors, both of whom were unable to help me. It would have been nice if Dr. Millstein showed a scintilla of interest in my case after my surgery -- very opposite his demeanor prior to my surgery. Despite my better judgment, I decided to schedule a second follow-up appointment approximately one year after my procedure to see if Dr. Millstein had any additional suggestions for me. Within 60 seconds of our visit, he said verbatim, "why are you here, I told you I can't help you." No questions about what the other two doctors he referred me to discovered. No questions. Just derision. I asked him why he accepted my appointment if he couldn't help me -- his response: "that is a question you should think about!!!!" Dr. Millstein may be a capable surgeon (or maybe he's not, I don't really know) but his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired. My take on Millstein is that he has reached an inflection point in his career where he's letting his busy schedule start to get in the way of his patient interactions. ***SECTION BELOW ADDED JULY 2014*** Given that Dr. Millstein responded to my review I feel compelled to further respond. The fact of the matter is: 1) Millstein was incredibly rude in his manner when he realized he couldn't help me. It's easy to sound polite when you're defending yourself to the world on Yelp. 2) Millstein did refer me to two other doctors (who couldn't help me either, but at least were friendly), but never made any efforts to speak to the doctors he referred me to - as evidenced by the fact that I had to go through my whole history again because they didn't know my case. He never followed up with me in any way after he passed the torch, even though the doctors he referred me to couldn't help. 3) And when I decided to follow up with him after the failed referrals, Dr. Millstein literally wasted my time. He had no interest in examining me further - no interest in even exploring the faintest possibility that my condition had changed. It turns out that much of my knee problem resulted from tight hips -- you would think he would have at any point examined by hips to see if they were an issue (he didn't). I saw him for all of 5 minutes (4 minutes of which was arguing with him) for which he happily billed my insurance company even though he literally did nothing.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Mine was a very mixed experience with this orthopedist and staff. I found Dr. Millstien on the internet. I’ve been treated several times in his offices for a very typical joint issue, no surgery. His offices are very conveniently located. Each was very clean with absolutely no wait times. It is really comfortable in the beautiful waiting areas; both waiting areas were nearly always empty on all of my visits. My first impression of Dr. Millstien was that he was a nice guy. But although my first visit was fine, I get a strong sense something is “off” with this organization. My second visit was OK, but I’ve noticed that this doctor’s bedside manner seems caring at first, but later surfaces as quite arrogant, condescending and “superior to you.” Honestly, he comes off making it clear that he is doing you a favor by treating you. Although he called me with test results, he recommended a very cookie-cutter approach -- cortizone “for the pain” -- which I resisted as I knew it to be a short-term, band-aid fix. My pain had gone. I succeeded in leading him (via many phone calls with one helpful nurse) to a more sophisticated treatment used by the top guys. I would have expected him to have led this discussion and options with me right off the bat since it is known that cortizone can have negative side effects. Still...no big deal. But what followed were excruciating, unnecessary problems with his poorly trained staff -- they are incompetent, unhelpful and really don’t seem to care that a patient is calling because that patient needs assistance. In my case, I only needed a procedure code typically required by insurance -- just a number! Ironically, they answer the phone with “How may I help you?” yet cannot or will not fulfill that promise. One staffer refused to provide the code, yelled at me and made me feel as if my insurance company’s need was a real bother to her and her co-workers. What the very rude and condescending staff member finally provided....... was still wrong simply because she refused to listen to my request. Her behavior was unacceptable. I ended up getting the needed code from the doctor in person on my final visit -- it took him less than 10 seconds to provide it. I really gave this place a chance because it is so convenient and their internet website marketing really pulled me in. But I will NOT return here and certainly would NOT consider surgery with this organization should I need it. Lesson learned -- 1) don’t pic a doc off the internet just because he is close. 2) the way the staff treat patients starts at the top of the organization, trickling down from the attitude of the guy whose name is on the door. There are hundreds of great orthopedic guys with professional, caring, service-oriented staffs in Los Angeles. Now I am reminded why the best orthopedists have the busiest waiting rooms!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Mine was a very mixed experience with this orthopedist and staff. I found Dr. Millstien on the internet. I've been treated several times in his offices for a very typical joint issue, no surgery. His offices are very conveniently located. Each was very clean with absolutely no wait times. It is really comfortable in the beautiful waiting areas; both waiting areas were nearly always empty on all of my visits. My first impression of Dr. Millstien was that he was a nice guy. But although my first visit was fine, I get a strong sense something is "off" with this organization. My second visit was OK, but I've noticed that this doctor's bedside manner seems caring at first, but later surfaces as quite arrogant, condescending and "superior to you." Honestly, he comes off making it clear that he is doing you a favor by treating you. Although he called me with test results, he recommended a very cookie-cutter approach -- cortizone "for the pain" -- which I resisted as I knew it to be a short-term, band-aid fix. My pain had gone. I succeeded in leading him (via many phone calls with one helpful nurse) to a more sophisticated treatment used by the top guys. I would have expected him to have led this discussion and options with me right off the bat since it is known that cortizone can have negative side effects. Still...no big deal. But what followed were excruciating, unnecessary problems with his poorly trained staff -- they are incompetent, unhelpful and really don't seem to care that a patient is calling because that patient needs assistance. In my case, I only needed a procedure code typically required by insurance -- just a number! Ironically, they answer the phone with "How may I help you?" yet cannot or will not fulfill that promise. One staffer refused to provide the code, yelled at me and made me feel as if my insurance company's need was a real bother to her and her co-workers. What the very rude and condescending staff member finally provided....... was still wrong simply because she refused to listen to my request. Her behavior was unacceptable. I ended up getting the needed code from the doctor in person on my final visit -- it took him less than 10 seconds to provide it. I really gave this place a chance because it is so convenient and their internet website marketing really pulled me in. But I will NOT return here and certainly would NOT consider surgery with this organization should I need it. Lesson learned -- 1) don't pic a doc off the internet just because he is close. 2) the way the staff treat patients starts at the top of the organization, trickling down from the attitude of the guy whose name is on the door. There are hundreds of great orthopedic guys with professional, caring, service-oriented staffs in Los Angeles. Now I am reminded why the best orthopedists have the busiest waiting rooms!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Good doctor but his front office is a mess. He has two locations, Beverly Hills and Marina del Rey, and one doesn't know what the other is doing. Also, don't expect him to know anything about any treatment but surgery.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Dr. Millstein was very eager to perform joint replacements (knee and shoulder) without adequately reviewing imaging reports with me. It seems that his scheduler (not a physician) provides him with information that he relies on without verification. In one case, his assistant (Marianne) told me that my MRI only showed arthritis when, in fact, it showed significant injuries from a recent fall. When I attempted to discuss it further her comment was, "I'm not going to argue with you." Both physicians that I saw for second opinions did not think that replacements were indicated at this time. I'm so glad that I did not move forward with this practice.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
The 1980s called, they want their God complex back. Please note that most of these 5 star reviews that I was also sucked into are all approximately ""one year ago"". So one year ago he had a rash of almost 25 people that couldn't say more fabulous things about him. Certainly not my experience. To start- the electronic data check in process is predatorily intrusive... It feels like they're feeding all the data into a central WBAN system. Upon arrival, after they were finally pleased with all my signatures and disclosures, 10 minutes passes while he's standing outside door loudly socializing with his assistants about his internet purchases. When he finally walks in and I ask him if he's going to buy the shoes, he gives me a snotty "I don't know, maybe". Contemptuous glare, zero apology. He then went on to behave like a slovenly teenager, angry that I had to nerve to point out I was running late. He made it exceedingly clear that he could care less about helping my painful medical situation and even interrupted the consultation to argue with me about how he had a right to be late & that I should go elsewhere. Arrogant, rude, disrespectful & made us miss the deadline for funding our Spacex ipo.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Don’t use this doctor!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Front office girl- shouting from front desk to ask me personal questions with others in the room! Instead of asking me to go to her desk. Appointment was at 4p.m. doctor saw me at 5p.m. paid $21 for parking in the building, ouch!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
I have never been to see Dr. Millstein... I was referred by my physical therapist... and I was happy I went. A most pleasant experience...competent, happy staff...no waiting...took x-Rays..and In and Out like the burger! And ...Dr. Millstein was pleasant...lots of energy...and always with a smile on his face...and answered my dumb questions. And my x-Rays were good!! I also left with a smile on my face!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Seems like all they care about is money here and not the patient. I don't have insurance so I was paying everything out of pocket. The consult was 500 which only lasted 15 mins, I get it he's busy. I was told the consult would last longer than that. I had some follow up questions after the appointment. To which I would have appreciated a phone call. But nope, the assistant told me I would need to make an office visit. Pay another 200 for 15 more mins of his time.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Wait time was too long. I was told "waiting fora room, but MD said he needed to talk longer with a pt. whose surgery did not go well. MD not prepared for the visit. Staff could be heard calling insurance companies and the name, address, birth date and phone number of patients could be heard, and I was sitting furthest from the front desk. This is a HIPPA violation! People coming in were frustrated as the data they uploaded prior to their visit was not in their charts. The office staff seemed disorganized.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Recommended a surgery for me that nobody else out of 10 other doctors recommended. This was a red flag. I have also heard of many horror stories about the surgery he wanted to perform. Additionally, the office will overcharge you incredibly. I paid hundreds of dollars just to visit him where other offices charges in the around $30-40 for the same type of visit (no x-ray, no additional evaluations, no equipment provided). Keep in mind I have very good insurance. If you don't have good insurance, expect to pay a lot more of their overcharges. If I had to do it again, I would probably not go back to this office.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Forget the reviews skip this doctor!!!! Very very disappointing. It was suggested to me by a hospital doctor and a neurologist to see an orthopedic doctor. I chose Dr. Millstein myself based on reviews, and because of that waited over a month to see him. The issue is THEY KNEW I HAD A BACK AND NECK ISSUE (and serious numbness) and they made the appointment and then I waited yet another two hours when the day of finally arrived as he was overbooked (at least a few people had the exact same time appointment!) for absolutely nothing- the assistant brought in my mri put it up but he completely ignored it as Dr, Millstein asked if I was aware he was the wrong doctor. He is currently only seeing KNEE AND SHOULDER patients. Quelle joke!!! He immediately dismissed me and I asked if he was going to charge me anyway. He said yes!!!!! Amazing right???? Rip off the insurance company. Completely unethical. Angrily I decided to show him a knee injury. He had me go for an in house X-ray and said there was nothing he could do about this. Could it be he went to the wrong place years ago and took a hypocritic oath instead of hypocratic? I bet he charged my insurance a bundle for being the wrong ductir
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Minimum wait 1 hr, usually 1.5 hrs to see Dr who will spend 5 min with you Staff unfriendly and disinterested in doing their job. Don’t expect a call back when leaving a message….won’t happen Too many other good Drs in LA to put up with this arrogance
Eric S. Millstein, MD
One an a half hours after I went to his office he saw me. This place is a mill they run as many people through here as possible. Went to discuss a shoulder problem in and out in about 6 minutes. Not even a fundamental X-ray. I am in the medical field, and it bothered the Doctor that I knew my way around the body and asked very specific questions. II urge anyone reading this review it for Dr. cannot spend the time to listen to you you get up and leave I wish I had.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
The worst I've ever been to. My appointment was at 4:00, but he did not see me until 5:15. When he did see me, he was rude and arrogant. He completely dismissed my concerns and essentially suggested that I was either crazy or an idiot; he point-blank said that the entire reason for my visit to his office did not exist. Instead of engaging in a dialogue, or pausing to allow his mind to consider all the possibilities that could have caused me to experience the issues that led to my seeking his help, he repeated the same sentences he had already said, only more slowly. Not only does this convey that he has decided I am stupid, but it effectively shuts down communication between doctor and patient, signaling that the doctor has stopped listening. This is definitely not a guy who takes his time with his patients, only without them, while they are waiting for him in his office. If you would have anything other than the most cursory, basic, minimal standard of care (that I'm not even sure could be classified as such), I advise that you look elsewhere.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Don't waste your time and money if you want to get to the root cause of your problem. First, I was twice seen by a resident and then when Dr. Millstein finally came in the room to see me he used his I pad while he spoke to me. Needless to say I did think he gave me the full attention he should have. He is not a thinker. The resident attempted to be more helpful than Dr. Millstein!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
I chose Dr. Millstein based on Yelp reviews and also a friend of a friend who went to him before. Now after my experience with him I would definitely not go to him again. This review is for Knee Meniscus problems (partial tear) with surgery, he might be different/better in regards to other issues. With a partial tear I started getting increasing pain when playing Beach Volleyball for more than 1-2 hours or walking longer than 2-3 hours. First visit to him he did a decent look at my condition but was extremely quick and rather pushy to schedule a surgery for a meniscectomy. At that time I declined because I wanted to try physical therapy further and strengthen the knee first. Second visit few months later he still suggested surgery and since my problems were not notice-ably from physical therapy I agreed to the surgery. Dr. Millstein explicitly and clearly confirmed that the outcome of the surgery would either be no overall change or improvement of my condition, definitely not a degradation of the situation. It would take 1 month to get to 80%, 2 to 95% and 3-4 month to 100% back to previous knee performances. The surgery at LaPeer itself went pretty smooth and problem free, however 2 month later with regular physical therapy and home exercises I fee at best to be to be at 50%. Still problems with walking stairs and other basic movements. 6 months later (whole time PT) I still can't jog, run, jump or do any fast movement. Walking stairs is possible and slow, even weighted movements are ok. However any quick movements are a no go, basically 0% ability when it comes to any kind of sport. This is a serious degradation of my previous condition. I understand not every surgery will bring the expected results, but a surgery shouldn't make the condition way way worse than it was before. Last follow up around 6 months later with Dr. Millstein he simply says it takes time. Also of my previous ~70% of medial meniscus left (from prior first surgery) I now per Millstein have only 20/30% meniscus left. He removed so much of the meniscus that I have barely any left. 9 months later my knee swell up from 15 minutes walking and after MRI and a different Orthopedic Doctor I now am being confirmed with cartilage damaged on the bone at the area where I am missing the meniscus and have to get another surgery. The surgery Dr. Millstein performed on me made my overall knee condition worse 3-4 times than it was before. I wish I never got that surgery or went to a different Orthopedic who would have opted for a repair instead of remove approach. I will most likely need a full meniscus transplant thanks to that very soon which comes with a year of recovery time. If you also have meniscus problems, don't go to Dr. Millstein.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
by Mark on Mar 24th, 2015 It honestly takes a lot for me to write a bad review, I always try to see things from more than my prospective so I usually don't complain about much , but this experience really left a terrible taste in my mouth and I felt I needed to share to help avoid any other prospective patients falling for the same thing I did by reading some of these reviews, which BTW I now question the validity of. Read the bad reviews FIRST guys, you can see most of us have a common thread to our complains, but now I will share my experience. I am on Workers Comp, I had been trying to find a Dr who could really evaluate what was going on with my Lower Back , Wrist and Shoulder. After much searching I came across this person with such glowing reviews , completely ignoring the negative ones because the good ones sounded so good. My Nurse Case Manager made the appointment and confirmed that this Dr Millstein treats lower backs as well as other ailments, I was looking forward to meeting this Dr and all I can say is that the bad reviews I read were in fact more true than anything, nothing about the "positive" reviews was anywhere near present on this day. I came into the Dr's office where I was telling him my nightmare journey with Workers Comp and how I came to find him hoping he could help me. First thing he told me is that he does NOT do backs, which is not what me nor my nurse case manager was told. Secondly he said he no longer is going to be doing Workers Comp cases. Great so now what? Me and my nurse case manager both showed his the results of both my back and shoulder. My MRI of my lower back showed Degenerative Disc Disease and it had advanced in the last few years, it was causing me excruciating pain for weeks and two Dr's I had seen previously (both Ortho's btw) said I should not be working for 30 days and prescribed physical therapy . Unfortunately neither of those Dr were under my Workers Comp list of providers , hence I went looking for a Dr that really knew what he was doing. He took an Xray of my wrist and said nothing was wrong at all. Then looked at my MRI results of my shoulder (it clearly showed an injury) and he brushed it off as "no big deal" then moving along to my back , he said it showed some degeneration but that he had several other patients who were older than me and had many more ailments and were able to work and manage regardless. First of all, you cannot compare one patient with all the others, every patient should be tended to as an individual with their own concerns, not lumped into a category of "if they can do it so can you" . He said he didn't mean to diminish my ailments but he was releasing me back to work on full duty. I've been working 13 years for my current employer, I rarely take sick time or vacation so I am not a lazy person, if this was about me just wanting to take a "paid vacation" trust me, I have the vacation time to do it, the point was that I was in pain and I was injured and if I can't work then so be it, but when I go looking for help from a professional to give me a professional comprehensive exam I expect better. So he doesn't even do backs or spine yet he has the superiority to tell me that my back and shoulder were no big deal. I am in the process of finding another Dr at this point but I must let anyone who is reading that someone with such arrogance and ego should not be practicing medicine. Read the other reviews both good and bad, you will see common complaints from other patients. My two cents. Doctors Oath - "First do no harm" Update: my response to the Dr's reply to my previous post. Dr Millstein, you had an opportunity to make things right when I was in your office and had my MRI's in hand. Now it's too little too late . Someone like you does not deserve to carry a medical license in my opinion . If you really cared you would have done the right thing from the start. If anyone is reading this please take from my experience and stay away from this imbecile . Seriously one of the worst experiences with any medical provider.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
I am not able to rate the doctor as I never got to see him. I would however, second the rating of the staff negatively. I had set an appt with Dr Milstein in March for April. Apparently, he decided to stop taking my insurance on April first and no one bothered to inform me even going so far as to calling me yesterday to confirm my appointment. Prior to making my appointment i confirmed with their scheduler and even their off site billing that my insurance was not going to be an issue. Despite all that, their office found a very novel way to make it an issue. I guess i should thank god for small favors as the scheduler when I was already there pointed out that they no longer took my insurance. This could have been even more FUBAR. Just wondering, since doctors like to charge us for not making our appointments, am I allowed to bill him for the 2.5 hours I wasted trying to honor my appointment?
Eric S. Millstein, MD