Orthohealing Center

The quality of care at this medical clinic has continued to decline over time. Although the clinic claims to be interested in healing patients in pain, the clinic’s actions show that the clinic is primarily interested in earning money. Over time, the clinic has slowly but surely dropped its provider status related to many health insurance plans. So, patients are generally billed on a cash basis. The clinic’s billing procedures are quite frustrating for patients. The main biller, Marcia, is «off site,» so she is generally unavailable to speak in person with patients about billing issues. Although this biller can be reached by phone, a phone call to her is generally answered by a voicemail machine. So, she is generally unavailable to speak with patients by phone. I would not recommend this clinic.

I received prolotherapy injections and stem cell injections for my hips and wrist. I was pleased with Dr. Ambach’s performance on the stem cell injections, and with Dr. Anne Zuzelski’s performance on bone marrow aspiration.
My biggest complaint, however, is with the front office staff. I have read many of the reviews posted here and am seeing a pattern. I was told that my insurance covered the facility costs for these procedures, turns out they don’t. I was then told that Orthohealing Center would honor the initial prices they gave me. Great, as they should and the difference would have cost me and an extra $ 4000. From the initial price quoted, I was told at least three different prices (after they said they would honor the original). They even tried to charge me $ 3000 as opposed to $ 2250 as I was being wheel-​chaired out after my stem cell injections. In addition, when I asked for coded invoices for my insurance, I was ignored and ultimately had to get the doctor involved. I was asking for a standard document for my insurance. Getting the information cost a lot of time unnecessarily.
While I was fine with the doctor portion of my experience, the 2 – 3 individuals I spoke with on price (Thara), insurance (Marcia), preparation before the procedures, and what to do afterward, was painful and took a lot of my time. For example, they sent my off with crutches, but didn’t size them before I left. The crutches were too short and therefore useless. They also ‘forgot’ to include my pain med prescription in my bag before I left. Just bad business and I won’t be returning.

I visited Dr. Sampson about 2 years ago on the recommendation of another doctor. Dr. Sampson was pleasant, passionate about PRP, and seemed very knowledgeable. I liked his office staff and they even take insurance for the initial consult which is nice. The only thing I didn’t like was the price. He was far more expensive than three other doctors I checked with.

I visited this office about 1 year ago for both shoulders was having major pain and discomfort. My lateral and rotation movement was very limited. Made appointment right before my insurance coverage expired. Had never been here before. Bottom line the service was poor. They did an ultrasound on shoulders and apparently found no major problems but put me on light inflammatory medicine. None of it worked. Then they bill me for $ 140 for when I had insurance after I paid my co-​pay. Eventually went to different Orthopedic who diagnosed me with severe inflammation and recommended cortisone and much stronger anti-inflammatory.I am pain free now. This office overbills insurance and patients.

You have a phenomenal practice! I came in on short notice with pain in my thumb from a boxing injury. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Dr. Aufiero is the bomb! Please extend my appreciation to her. I’m truly grateful to her for her care, concern, and manner. I feel I’m in the best hands. Many thanks!

The doctors at Orthohealing are world class. I have had PRP in my ankle, knee, and hip due to dance related injuries and it has worked for me every time. In fact I had a partial labral tear in my hip and after 5 PRP injections I was able to return to ballet. If you’re injured and want to try to avoid surgery I would highly recommend this office.

I had a consult and two injections with Dr. Ambach and she is AMAZING. Good bedside manner, and the staff is top of the line! Everyone in the office is very courteous and attentive, i could have not asked for a better experience! Before having treatment i could barley put weight on my foot, and would take pain killers that would not even dull the pain. Dr. Amach was able to diagnose my problem and effectively treat it! Would recommend them to my friends and family!

I recently went to see Dr Ambach as I had pain around my chest area that was really concerning me. This was my first visit to Orthohealing Center and I was very pleased I had made the decision to go there. The front office staff were very friendly and I didn’t wait long at all to see Dr Ambach.
Dr Ambach made me feel very relaxed and at ease. She was very thorough and I felt that she really took the time to listen to me and my concerns.
My whole experience was very positive and I highly recommend Orthohealing Center.

I have never been in this much pain in my life. For two months I could barely walk or stand. I friend recommended I go see the doctors at Orthohealing center. I was desperate for some relief. i contacted them, and had an appointment the next day. Dr. Ambach, took the time to really talk to me. She then explained exactly what she would be doing, and talked me through the entire procedure. I felt completely safe and taken care of. I am so grateful to all of the staff who took care of me. I would definitely recommend them to a friend. Thank you Dr. Ambach!

Dr. Ambach is very knowledgeable in her area, caring, compassionate and friendly. Her staff is great. With the best in technology for your treatments. They do not validate parking.

I came to Dr. Aufiero on Aug. 3^rd, 2015 for a consult.
My insurance copayment was $ 40 when they said they were in network.
That same day Dr. Aufiero stopped being in my insurance network!
I came in August 5^th, she gave me two cortisone shots. I didn’t know they would be cortisone shots. She never said they would be.
Again, another copayment of $ 40.
My insurance said they were out of network later on. When I told Melissa this at their office, she didn’t know they were out of network! She lied, tried covering up for the mistake, and then tried to negotiate me paying ½! Melissa even admitted they misled me!
I have contacted the BBB, soon the Governor’s Office and then the LA Mayors Office…

I just left this place I am really angry that they are so unethical I gave them my insurance referral and when I made the appointment they said they took my insurance but when it was time to leave that’s when they said they no longer take it. I should of known 6 months ago when I tried to make and appointment and no return my call. Be careful not much is covered by insurance you could spend slot of money and find yourself in pain in all areas of your life. I don’t get angry to often and to find myself so mad I am taking the time to share my experience. So beware hope this review helps someone it’s hard to talk to the office personnel you have to leave a message good luck

This is in response to Orthohealing’s message to me on Unilocal.I called your clinic numerous times in December to try to resolve this issue, yet your representatives were not helpful. In fact, I asked to speak with the clinic manager not once but twice. Both times, Sylvia refused to connect me. The first time, she hung up on me. For my second attempt, she said the clinic manager was on another call. I told her I would hold. After about 10 minutes, she said the manger was too busy to take my call. I left a message with Sylvia, including my phone number, but the clinic manager never called. If you truly wish to clean up the mess at your clinic, you should look closely at my complaint. A patient should never, never have to go through such an ordeal.

This review is based on scheduling or I should say, attempting to schedule an appointment as a new patient.
I injured my back during exercise and was referred here by a close friend. I called to make an appointment during working hours and received voicemail. After 15 hours, I received a return call however missed it by minutes. I called again only to get the vmail. And again, vmail. And again, vmail. I left one message and then more of the waiting game.
Finally, I called and selected the option to change an existing appointment and reached the receptionist who asked me to hold. 9 minutes later, she tells me (I will say that she was very nice) that she cannot make a new appointment with her but she will hand deliver the message to the «new patient coordinator».
This is where I gave up, called ucla and locked in an appointment in minutes.
Two hours later, I receive a call back to set up the appointment.
Thanks but no thank you. If this is an indication of the operations, I will save the future frustration.

This review is for certain members Dr. Sampson’s staff, not Dr. Sampson or Mrs. Sampson. I required an MRI and changed insurance, therefore I needed a refreshed pre-​authorization. I called twice and stopped by twice to check on the progress of the pre-​auth and was informed by the manager that they are «very busy.» Many months later I am still lacking the proper paperwork.
In addition I was «fitted» with a knee brace. I use parenthesis’ as the first staff member handed me a brace without sizing it or helping me in any way. I am new to the world of braces and didn’t know that I would require a specific size. I purchased a second knee brace and worked with a terrific staff member who showed me several sizes and instructed me on use. it became immediately apparent that the second staff member really knew her «stuff» as the second brace fit much better. The manager tried her hardest not to replace the first ill-​fitting brace and finally, reluctantly agreed.
Dr. Sampson then dismissed me from the practice for «abusive» behavior. He is right! I am pretty darn cranky at this point and very clearly explained my two areas of concern. Perhaps if Dr. Sampson would have talked to me he would have taken care of these incredibly negligent issues.
Dr. Sampson is a terrific doctor and his wife is assisting in the practice and is a lovely person. I hope that they review their staffing and develop the practice that they deserve based on Dr. Sampson’s excellent work.

I was working in Los Angeles, and playing tennis when my knee went out, in excruciating pain, and couldn’t stand up straight or put any weight on my leg. A friend recommended I visit the Orthohealing Center. I was able to secure an appointment the next day… and Dr. Sampson diagnosed a patella injury. I was given an exercise regimen to strengthen my quad muscles and core (taking some of the pressure off of my knee) and fitted with a custom knee brace that I was advised to wear doing any sports activity in the future. After a few weeks of rest and recuperation and continuing my exercises as instructed by Dr. Sampson, I was back playing tennis and have been active and doing well ever since. Now back in New York, I’m able to call on Dr. Sampson whenever I have a question and he always returns my calls by the next day at the latest. Thank you Dr. Sampson!!!

I’ve been a patient of Dr Sampson and Dr Aufiero since their practice began. This a a great treatment center for noninvasive orthopedic issues. Each time I have had issues over the years, Orthohealing gets to the heart of the problem quickly and treats me effectively. (I’m over sixty and ortho issues keep coming up.)
This is a practice with warm and caring physicians and cutting edge, noninvasive techniques.
It bothers me a great deal that some misguided individuals have had negative things to say. I suspect that they are, at best, misinformed or, at worse, jealous competitors.
I’ve recommended Orthohealing Center to roughly 6 – 8 friends, all of whom swear by the treatment they’ve received.

Dr Sampson has a really well rounded approach to medicine. He really jump started my healing after a frustrating foot injury. The office is really organized and I was happy to wait in their lovely waiting area. Overall facility is top notch high quality care! Highly recommend this place.

I have been a patient of Dr. Sampson’s
for three years and cannot stop raving about him. I had torn my meniscus and had it repaired surgically. I continued to experience sever pain in my knee and sought out a non surgical treatment. I had heard a lot about Orthohealing Center and traveled to LA specifically to visit Dr. Sampson. The office is amazing as is the staff. Very caring and very professional. Dr. Sampson“s bedside manor is outstanding and his explanations of his procedures was very thorough. I have had 3 PRP treatments and now am pain free. The staff is very considerate and called me the day after each procedure to see how I was doing.
A visit to Ortohealing Center is well worth a trip to Los Angeles

tl;dr if you have a non-​severe back issue, try somewhere else before coming here for expensive, alternative options
I came in for pretty common, generic chronic back pain about a year ago and have a few comments about my experience.
1. Seen as an «alternative» healing place by other back specialists I have since seen. This may be the place if that’s what you’re looking for and have exhausted your other options.
2. I booked an appointment with Dr. Aufiero but I did not see her once during my appointment. I was helped by someone else and he did not acknowledge that he wasn’t even the doctor I was supposed to see.
3. I came in for pretty stereotypical chronic back pain and on the first visit the doctor suggested multiple expensive treatments that are not usually stereotypical of first visits for my common back pain, including trigger point injections and blood tests. My bill, after insurance, was over $ 750. Compare that with the bill from the most recent back specialist I saw from who I have seen great process for my back — $ 0, a prescription for PT, and a prescription for a non-​steroidal, non-​inflammatory drug.
If you are thinking about going to Orthohealing Center for something pretty minor, relative to issues one COULD have with his/​her back, I’d recommend trying somewhere else first.