Don't use Washington Pediatrics -Dr. Lang & Dr. Sage

[Anonymous]

Let me start by saying that I think that all the folks that work at Washington Pediatrics (http://www.washingtonpediatric.com/) have been friendly, BUT I have had a bad experience and I thought I'd share for anybody who is searching for a pediatrician. I do not recommend Washington Pediatrics Associates located at 1145 19th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036 for the following reasons:
1. For the last 3 appointments I had (that'd be 3 out of 4), I waited 1 hour and 45 minutes past the appointment time before we were seen by a nurse practioner or doctor. That includes appointments that I scheduled for the same day because the baby was sick, and appointments that I scheduled months in advance for a regular check up. My little one was climbing the walls and in tears before they even saw us. I hate it when doctors over book this severly. You hustle to get there on time, just to wait almost 2 hours. Yuck.
2. If you have an urgent concern and want to leave a message with the answering service, so that a nurse will call you back...they charge you $25.
3. They don't explain much or take any time with you during your wellness check up appointments, they try to rush you out and tell you to read the information they have on their web page.
4. They keep your credit card information on file, so they can charge you for anything the insurance does not pick up (instead of billing you). I don't like having my insurance info, social security number, photocopy of ID, AND now my credit card info with a doctor's office. It feels like an invasion of privacy, and I don't trust it. But if you don't do it, they won't see you.

[Anonymous]

That is definitely not professional behavior, will not be going there!

[Anonymous]

Repeated appalling business practices. Thanks for the heads-up, and I hope you find a new doc soon!

[Anonymous]

I have been about 15 times in the past couple years, and that sounds nothing like the experience I have had. I will continue going there until I decide to go to the suburbs. If and when I move out of the city, I will go to a suburban pediatrician, as I think things are less hectic. But, until then, they are definitely the best that I have seen near the downtown area.

[Anonymous]

Chevy Chase Pediatrics are the BEST! Try them!!

[Anonymous]

If you really want people to see this, I suggest moving it to the GP page. Lots of posts about pediatricians are there.

[Anonymous]

We have been there for almost two years with our DD and only once did I wait more than 30 minutes total to be seen (waiting room, exam room combined). I was there Friday: called at 8:15, got a sick appt at 9:10 am, was seen by 9:30, home at 10:45 after stopping for a coffee. We see Dr. Sage and no, she doesn't spend hours with us, but she always answers my questions and is great with my child. We are fortunate to have a healthy child so I haven't had many sick calls/visits but we had a scare when DD was ten weeks that involved the ER and the staff was great.

Just wanted offer another perspective.

[Anonymous]

I, too, have had a good experience overall with Dr. Sage and Dr. Lang. I'd say twice in 20 visits we've had to spend an hour in the waiting room, but the norm is maybe 20 minutes. I've never been charged to leave a message (though it has been a while since I've done so) and I've never felt rushed during an exam.