Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Jan 2024

I have struggled with drafting a review, trying to figure out if the issues are circumstantial or situational, versus consistent, but after almost two consecutive years of things becoming increasingly and consistently worse, I felt I had to share my experience so others can make an informed decision before going to Community of Physicians, specifically on 14th St / I St. Washington, DC. I started visiting this practice many years ago (years before pandemic) and it was great, until I would say 2021 / 2022. When you are able to get a hold of the doctors, you will get most of their attention, but getting a hold of them or anyone in the medical team is IMPOSSIBLE. Often times takes several days in a row of trying multiple calls in the same day only to get a recording indicating that someone will be in the line shortly, but that can go for a long time. You can try to leave them a message in My Chart, and according to them, they will respond in up to 3 business days, but that is not the case either. I tried multiple times last week to contact them and not being able to get through, I emailed them on 1/16. As of today 1/22/24, I have yet to be contacted. In the past year, too, I have had 2 other specific experiences that have been very disappointing as they also seem to be turning into an insurance invoicing machine and less about patient care. Here is an example of that - early in 2023 I started feeling generally bad, but it was such a generalized set of symptoms, that I could not pinpoint the cause or trigger, and yet, I was able to carry on with my day-to-day normally for the most part. Since weeks went by with generalized symptoms increasing, I called the practice to get my annual exam done, hoping that the annual screening could help understand what was causing the issues I was experiencing. They initially declined due to my request not matching the full year per the insurance, so they were worried about not been able to get paid. I asked them to please schedule me sooner because I really needed an earlier annual check-up given what I was feeling and that I could pay out-of-pocket. After a bit of a back-and-forth, they put me in the calendar for about a month later. Then the next day they called me to cancel because all of a sudden, the doctor was not going to be available and instead of accommodating me with a different provider, they offered to put me back in the calendar, coincidentally matching the insurance coverage year. I asked to cancel that so that I could then find another practice that could see me sooner. However, a couple days later my symptoms suddenly worsen to the point that I ended up in the ER. That is when the practice called to check on me, as I believe they saw it in my record that I had been to the ER, and dared to ask why I hadn't contacted them. The other example has to do with a prescription request given my history, and while I had been supported in the past, that time, instead I was treated as if I was just asking for the prescription, just because, and it was declined. A few days later, I had to call again because I had gotten sick and had to take the medication that was declined a few days later. So, you may have a better experience than I have had in the past 2 years or so, but if you think you will need a provider sooner, or would need the flexibility of contacting a provider within a short period of time, I suggest that you reflect on whether this would be the best place. Although, I have to say that in general in the U.S. health care is not about the patient and the human anymore, as much as it is about the profits and the health insurance corporations, so this decline might not be a unique situation in this practice, and more of a generalized pattern across providers regardless.

Mar 2022

Dr. Andrew Lee has been my primary care physician for almost 10 years now - he is a great listener, he's very patient and kind, and he always takes the time to explain the background of each diagnosis and treatment so I understand exactly what is going on medically - something that I think is much more rare today when a lot of doctors rush you in and out. The office staff is friendly and efficient. Over the years I have always felt very welcome and looked after there. I was also grateful that he remained in-network when I switched jobs and went from Blue Cross Blue Shield to United Healthcare coverage. Lastly, I appreciate having access to Johns Hopkins medicine even though I live in DC. I can't recommend Dr. Lee and his office highly enough.

Feb 2022

I've been going here for years under two different physicians. I've been with Dr. Cynthia Lee for a little over two years now and she's great! She takes time with you, is very thorough and she listens! because of a chronic health condition I visit quarterly and find the support team and lab to be generally friendly and efficient. In the time I've been visiting this office, I've had one scheduling mishap which resulted in me having to make an additional visit but they were very apologetic. Other than that I have not had any problems. This is covid-era and, in my experience, they do a great job of communicating expectations of your visit beforehand whether you schedule by phone or through MyChart. I love them and will continue to have my visits here.