Maher Tamara, DO

I have been a patient of Dr. Maher for years. I needed a referral to my dermatologist, so I made an appointment with Dr. Maher, received the referral and was told that they would fax it immediately. When I get to my dermatologist they tell me they never received it. The office calls for me and apparently they were facing it to the wrong number but never took responsibility. 20 minutes later, they still hadn’t received the fax with the corrected number. I call, my dermatologist calls, and then they yell at me explaining they ARE competent and this is MY problem.

I’m frustrated with Dr. Maher. I have been seeing her for less than 6 months. Her bedside manner can be judgmental and abrupt. The wait times (at least 45 minutes) past your scheduled appointment are brutal. (I saw a pharmaceutical rep go in ahead of 2 waiting patients.) My requests for call backs regarding prescriptions and now some xrays go unanswered. My recent screens have been with her office for 2 weeks — I have called multiple times for results with zero call back. I’m going to have to go pick up my screens and move on to a new physician.

When I choose a doctor, I look for someone I feel very comfortable with-​someone I can talk to and feel like he/​she understands what I am going through. Dr. Tamara Maher is a great listener and gives one time to talk –an aspect that is hard to find nowadays in the medical profession. Over the years, she has made me believe that she wants the best for me regarding my health. These are the qualities I find in Dr. Maher and that is why my entire family and I have been with her for more than 12 years. Keep up the good work Doc!

Dr. Maher is an excellent doctor who takes her time to ensure that your concerns have been addressed. At my first visit, she sat down with me and allowed me to voice all of my concerns and took a complete and lengthy history. I really appreciated the time she took to learn about me and educate me regarding all of my questions and concerns. At my second visit, she went through all of my lab tests, answered all of my questions and gave me options for my follow up care. She also gave me some samples to try. I’m so glad to have found a doctor who really cares. I would definitely recommend Dr. Maher!

Initially, I thought Dr Maher was very pleasant. My first visit was for a wellness exam. She made me feel comfortable and spoke to me very genuinely. It was a good experience. She then sent me to the Lab, supposedly to check everything.
Few weeks past and I didn’t receive any information from the Lab or the Doctors office. I called Dr Maher’s office and asked for my lab results. They then asked for my email address and sent me a crappy scanned version with my name cut off and a bunch of medical codes I did not understand. I didn’t know how to read my test results. After speaking with the Office person, she said the report shows I am low on Vitamin D. I shared with my husband that pointed out, it was missing A1C report, which is known to be standard. Recently, I had a terrible cold I was fighting for six days. Throat was raw and causing my ear to ache. On the fifth day of my sickness, I called Dr Maher’s office for same day appointment. When I saw Dr Maher she asked if I had a fever? I said no, but I have been coughing so bad my throat is raw and my ear hurts. Dr Maher checked my ears and my throat and said there is nothing wrong with your ears or your throat. Then proceeded to hand me a mirror and had me look at my throat myself. I felt that was very rude. I looked in the mirror at the back of my throat and told her, I see redness. She then said, you’re not happy with my diagnosis are you? I replied, no I am not. She then said, you have a virus and there is not anything you can do for it. I don’t know if Dr Maher just had an off day, but she made me feel like I was wasting her time. She is the case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde…

Dr. maher is the only doctor for my friends and family to I’ve been going to Dr. Maher for over 10 years. she’s sweet, she’s really smart and she has a heart for her patients. If you’re looking for a great family doctor that you can make your own then I’d recommend Dr. Maher…

I saw Dr. Maher this Wednesday and thank God I did. She immediately realized I was having a neurological emergency. She totally followed stroke protocol and call paramedics within minutes, as she continued to gather the necessary history from me. She had everything ready for the paramedics as soon as they arrived. She calmed me so much. She has always been so loving and thorough. She is extremely knowledgeable about medicine. She is not afraid to refer to the best doctor if she thinks that a referral is necessary. Her office staff is absolutely top notch. I have a lot of medical problems, so I need to call and speak with them frequently. Either she or her staff call me back by the end of the day or within 15 minutes without fail. I highly recommend Dr. Maher! I always hear the patients talking about what a great doctor she is, too. Also she has her office decorated so wonderfully. For any of the holidays she goes out of her way to have appropriate fun decorations. I just love her and her staff. Oh one thing is that she does not work afternoons on Fridays.

Disappointed with other reviews rating Dr based on some staff. She is by far the most caring Dr I have seen. You are not a number, and she genuinely takes interest in your well being. I have lived in four states, seen many types of Drs and offices, and would come back to her if I moved again.

Dr. Tamara Maher and staff are the best. I have been going to this office for about 6 to 7yrs. They have always gone over and beyond for me since the very first day I walked in to the office. The staff is super friendly. The office itself is very welcoming. Now Dr. Maher is the best Dr I have ever had she deeply cares for your well being. She takes her time to explain whats going on with the medical issue in hand. That means the world to me when a Dr cares that much. I truly can say she is part of my family. I will always refer new patients to her. Love Dr Maher
DM

I was just looking up Dr. Maher’s phone number to make a second appointment with her and was surprised to see so many negative reviews. This is what prompted me to leave a review myself. I had a wonderful experience when I saw her. She spent so much time with me and really seemed genuinely caring and compassionate. She asked me questions and really listened to my answers. I did not feel rushed or that she was in a hurry to get to someone else. Also, my wait wasn’t long at all. Now to book my second appointment…

WARNING! Before making an appointment, make sure they take your Covered California Insurance.
I was supposed to be a new patient of Dr. Maher’s. I made my appointment in person since I was already in the building seeing another doctor. The two receptionists assured me that they take my insurance — Blue Shield PPO — I asked them if they wanted to see my card and they said they didn’t need to.
I had to wait a month to see the doctor… but when I arrived, I was turned away because although they do take Blue Shield PPO, they do not take COVERED CALIFORNIA Blue Shield PPO.
What a waste of time.

I’ve been going to Dr. Maher for a few years now and I’m not sure why the negative reviews. The office staff has always been professional and I am seen on time. I’ve had a couple of health issues other than routine checkups and she was able to diagnose and get resolved. I feel totally comfortable with her as my primary doctor.

I read all of the reviews on here and felt I had to come on here and clear things up. I have been seeing Doctor Maher since I was about 18. People complaining that they wait a long time don’t realize that the reason they may wait a while is because the doctor takes her time with you. It is so refreshing to not have a doctor look at your chart, mumble a few words, then walk out only to have an assistant finish the appointment.
She takes her time with you, asks how you are doing, and wants to get to know what’s going on to help with her diagnosis. Yes, you may wait a bit, but appreciate that because of this, you get a lot of 1 on 1 time and are never rushed.
The office staff have gotten better, especially with the addition of Izzy (not sure how to spell her name) and she is on it! So far, since she has been there, everything I’ve needed has gotten done.
I enjoy her as a doctor and my Mom and sister see her as well.
One great thing about her is anyone she has ever referred me to (a physical therapist, a sleep doctor and a rare diseases specialist) has been top notch and I appreciate that she only sends you to good doctors.
I love her personality and she’s one of the warmest doctors I have. Giving her one star like some of these other reviewers is just flat out ridiculous and it seems like they want to be more like Simon Cowell than an honest Unilocal reviewer.
Try her out for yourself, I don’t think you will be disappointed at all!

I wouldn’t even give the office one star if it were an option. I have not been a patient of Dr. Maher for very long, and am willing to go through the hassle chaining my medical group so that I don’t have to be for much longer. I work in the medical field and know the ins and outs and all that we should do to accommodate patients. (At least in our practice)
Starting with my very first visit with her (which was not great) to today, every appointment has been disappointing. My first appointment was for a very bad cough (like I have now) and turned out to be Asthmatic Bronchitis. I was given treatment and have gotten the same illness every year since then.
My second appointment was for a pregnancy test, I was scheduled late in the afternoon and I waited around for a while, when it seemed like there was no one else there being seen. They took my vitals and put me in a room. The doc came in, reviewed my chart, asked me a couple of questions and said that she would order some blood work, but didn’t think I was pregnant because of my blood pressure. (Didn’t even do a urine test) Of course since it was the end of the day the lab was already closed and I had to wait to get my lab work done the next day. I called her office requesting the results and was told that it would take a couple of days, which was not true. I called the lab and requested the results myself, found out that I was indeed pregnant and scheduled an appointment with my regular OBGYN. Finally, I heard back from them almost a week later. I let the receptionist know that I got the results and already made the necessary appointments; she didn’t even bother asking how I got the results or if I needed anything else.
Lastly, I called to make an appointment yesterday again for possible asthmatic bronchitis, and was given a next day appointment which I thought was great. None the less I get a phone call right now to cancel my appointment because the doctor has an appointment that she needs to get to. (Great patient care) The receptionist asks me if I would like the doctor to call something in for my COUGH. Hello if she had half a brain, she would have checked my chart and noticed that the last couple of times that I was in I had to be put on antibiotics, steroids, and an inhaler. I should have let her call something in without seeing me so that I could have reported her. I asked when the next available appointment is and she says that they are also cancelling tomorrow’s appointments and I can go to the urgent care if I needed to. I obviously know what other options I have to be seen sooner, but to save myself a trip I decided to wait to go see my doc which I would have to do after the urgent care anyway. I think this is very poor service.

I was referred to Dr Maher by several co-​workers, who have been with her for many years. I was looking for a new Dr at the time and gave her a try. I have been seeing her for approx 3 years and could not be happier. I will admit, when you have an appointment you may have to wait a while. But once inside with her, you will understand why. She takes pride in knowing her patients and gets to know you. This weekend i began feeling ill. I called her office 1^st thing Monday morning to have her call in a prescription. I was told she was not in the office for another hour. Within 20 minutes, I received a call from the office that my prescription had been faxed over to the pharmacy. Thanks Doc

Don’t do it! The front office/​receptionist people are terrible. THEY DO NOT CALL YOU BACK. EVER!!! Wish I was exaggerating. It may seem irrelevant as long as the doctor is good but when it takes weeks and weeks to get results back from testing and you’re sitting at home in pain since she tells you to wait for the results before actually helping you, it’s a nightmare… You have to nag and nag to get your results. It’s not a good experience here at all and the problems don’t get solved… just temporarily fixed. Seriously, call someone else.

I went to Dr. Tamara Maher for a few years. I was never happy or satisfied with her but I stayed because I was too busy and lazy to search for different drs. There was nothing wrong with me either so I settled for this once or twice a year ordeal.
The wait in her office is long! I tried making appointments first thing in the am and I still had to wait at least an hour. She just takes her time, chit chats, comes in late. .. while I was waiting, she came out in the wating room to chat with her other patients!!!
When you get to THAT age, you need certain tests done. You have to ask her for everything. There is no concern to have you tested. She is more interested in plastic surgery as her daughter is a plastic surgeon. She spent her time telling me what lifts and tucks I needed.
What made me finally decide to leave this horrible dr is when I started to have a medical problem. I came in to tell her, ask for a referral, and she chewed me out. Told me I needed lesser tests done first. OK, do it. I have excellent insurance. I got called and was asked to come in and it did show that I had a problem but she said it would be monitored. I went home, looked it up, and it was actually a serious deficiency. EVERYONE told me to run. This is what finally pushed me to look for another dr.
When you need your prescription refilled and the pharmacy calls her office, don’t expect to have them call back. The pharmacy usually has to call a few times before it gets authorized. I got used to this and would simply call the pharmacy days in advance. Authorizations for something like a mammogram also took several calls. They are supposed to fax the authorization over however TotalCare and I had to call several times to get it faxed over and this didn’t happen once.
The billing dept. is lame too! I kept getting double, triple, quadruple billed even though I paid.
I’ll admit it. I’m STUPID for staying with her this long. Hopefully someone can benefit from my review. Or perhaps Dr. Maher will read this and try to improve. I am going to a new dr. and I regret not leaving Dr. Maher’s office earlier.

I was totally shocked by the negative reviews. I have the opposite opinion. When I call, the office staff is ALWAYS polite, and help me with prescriptions immediately. Last week I needed more of a prescription and instead of calling it in, they made a bag of samples available to me to pick up on my way to work that same day (& it was ready when I got there), saving me money and time. When my college-​age daughter arrived from school in pain with a female problem, Dr. Maher’s staff was very kind and squeezed her in – and yes, we waited a bit, but why wouldn’t we? We were pushing ourselves into a fully booked day. And grateful for it! My child got excellent care, in a compassionate setting, and was fully cured. Also, both my husband and myself have had «stuff going on» that isn’t that specific, and Dr. Maher really listens to the constellation of symptoms before suggesting a treatment plan. She has made sleep possible for me again, among other things, (and not with Ambien, I might add) and I trust her implicitly.

Office and billing staff rude. May be because at various times she has had both of her daughters working for her. Attempted to bill my insurance company for PTSD (which they wouldn’t pay for) when all I did was respond to her question about why I had been losing weight and havaing stomach issues (personal issue with my husband). Waits even with appointments are long. Not an MD but a DO. May not be a huge difference if other negative issues weren’t present. Too many good Dr’s with excellent staff to deal with this office.

Dr. Maher is a DO, or doctor of osteopathic medicine, and not an MD. This is not necessarily an important distinction, since they follow much of the same methods for diagnosis and treatment (
) but Dr. Maher does have more of a seemingly holistic approach, and the whole thing is just a matter of preference and whether or not you really give a shit. Before I saw her, I really had no idea that the DO distinction existed or how it differed from MDs.
I’m not sure how closely related the DO approach and discipline is to how you run your office and practice medicine, but she’s definitely kookier than some of the doctors I’ve been to over the years. She’s one to have freshly cut roses from her own garden all over the waiting room and in her exam rooms, and a whole cabinet full of tschotchkes in her waiting room too — not your typical décor.
She took care of (potential TMI warning here) an ingrown toenail for me, which was just a horrible procedure, btw. She was fine, it was fine, but in the end I think I stopped seeing her more for her office staff than anything else.
There was a time a few years back when I was between medical plans, and I called her office to tell them that my coverage had lapsed before a scheduled appointment so they could update their records and I didn’t have to explain on-​site what the new situation was.
Of course, I arrive to a waiting room FULL of people, and I check in and sit down and get called, loudly, to the window, and the woman says so that everyone can hear «We called your insurance company and they said that you’re not covered any more.» Well, now the whole waiting room is looking and listening. Thanks a lot, genius. So I had to quietly explain the whole thing to her again and tell her I’d pay in cash. The explanation of the uninsured part combined with the Everybody Up In Your Business part was so embarrassing.
Another time, they had accommodated me for some illness last minute, and I made the «mistake» of asking why I’d been waiting an hour to see the doctor, and the woman behind the desk proceeded to shout at me telling me that they’d done me a huge favor by even seeing me today and I should be happy that they’d accommodated me in the first place regardless of how long I had to wait.
Yeah, I’m sorry, no doctor is worth that, fresh roses or not.