Semel Charles D MD

If possible, I would rate Dr. Semel and his office staff zero stars. I have seen Dr. Semel for several years for the purpose of maintaining my medication prescription. While away on a trip, I called to notify his office that 1) I wanted to make an annual appointment for as soon as I returned, and 2) my prescription was running out and could I please have a prescription for the 3 day gap. I was told no to the refill. While away, my car was flooded and needed to be repaired. I called again, to change my appointment and to say, please may I have the refill, it would be dangerous to stop medications suddenly. I was told no. I asked them to ask the doctor. The office called and left a message on my cell phone that said, ‘call us with your pharmacy’s number, the doctor said yes.’ I called his office to provide the information and a woman in the office said, ‘The doctor told you no.’ When I explained that I’d received a call from them that he had said yes, she insisted the answer was no and she had already told me no. I asked her to check with the doctor and get back to me please and she did not.
Fast forward to returning home and seeing the doctor. He pulls a pink telephone message from the file folder and says, ‘You look upset. Is anything bothering you?” I knew he was reading the phone message from someone in his office, and I actually wasn’t upset and wasn’t planning to speak to him about the incident. I simply wanted my prescription. But since he asked and since I had 15 minutes for my $ 150.00, I thought, okay, I’ll tell him. I started to say that I was away and needed my prescription refilled. He interrupted and pompously told me that he refused to break the law for me. I then said that my car needed to be repaired and I couldn’t get home, so I called again. Suddenly he looks at my file and seems completely flabbergasted as he said, ‘Yes, I did renew the prescription.”
I then explained that I received a message that he had but someone in his office refused to believe that or check with anyone and so I was unable to get the prescription.
Now you might expect a doctor to ask any number of questions at this point, since it is dangerous to stop taking medications suddenly. For instance, did you find a doctor to see you and prescribe the medicine? If not, did you stop suddenly or taper off? If so, how did you feel? Instead he said, I think you’d better get another doctor. I won’t charge you for this session and I’ll write a prescription for three months, but clearly you want more from this office than we are prepared to give.
Now I know they don’t make a lot of money from a patient who sees them annually for a prescription, but really. And now I am looking at a bill for $ 150.00 despite his ‘deal’ to not charge me if I went elsewhere.

Yesterday, I had a first-​ever appointment to see this doc. Alas, I missed it (a sync error on my handheld), and called today to reschedule. Was told that because I missed appointment without calling, I would not be allowed to reschedule with him or anyone else in that office — which, among others, includes Drs. Park, Cannella and Sathaye, in terms of those who are in-​network for United Healthcare. After 24 years with Aetna, I was involuntarily shifted to UHC, along with all other retirees (like myself) and employees. Not a good way to begin shopping. But, as with employment, when you don’t get an offer from people who obviously aren’t a good fit… it’s for the best. This is one of those. Still, WTF.