Hoyte, Sandy, M.D.- Women's Primary Care

Wow, I think the less-than-positive reviewers are either writing about a different place, or are being unfair! I am also a long-standing patient of Dr. Hoyte's (as are my mother and sister) and have seen her office go through lots of transitions, but the compassion and the overall management of my healthcare has remained consistent. Sure, some of the front desk people that have come and gone were not so great, but I love the girls that are there now! They make me feel welcome when I go in and I'm comfortable asking them questions. I also love knowing that I'll get my usual chunk of time when I go in and not be ushered out or cut-off before all my issues have been discussed. I've lived in a few other states and I haven't found the fees or charges to be any different than I've paid elsewhere, or what my friends say they pay at other doctors. And when I have had problems with something on my statement, guess what?.....it usually turns out to be an issue with my insurance company! I know the front desk can be very busy at times, and I have been left on hold sometimes, but I actually prefer that to having to listen to menu options and make selections that only get me to a recording. There's always a live person on the other of the phone at Dr. Hoyte's office. And that's just the point.......it's the personal touches that really make going there a great experience. It's comfortable and inviting and I love to see the dogs! That's part of the charm. For anyone considering this office for their primary care physician, I recommend it highly! It's a little different than any other doctor's office you've been to, but if you're looking for a place that treats you like a human being, that really listens to you, where they think outside the box, then this is the place for you. I mean, where else have you been where the doctor wears jeans and makes you call her by her first name! It's the greatest doctor's office I know! Pros: Respectful, Thorough, Friendly Cons: Nothing comes to mind! more

Wow, I think the less-than-positive reviewers are either writing about a different place, or are being unfair! I am also a long-standing patient of Dr. Hoyte's (as are my mother and sister) and have seen her office go through lots of transitions, but the compassion and the overall management of my healthcare has remained consistent. Sure, some of the front desk people that have come and gone were not so great, but I love the girls that are there now! They make me feel welcome when I go in and I'm comfortable asking them questions. I also love knowing that I'll get my usual chunk of time when I go in and not be ushered out or cut-off before all my issues have been discussed. I've lived in a few other states and I haven't found the fees or charges to be any different than I've paid elsewhere, or what my friends say they pay at other doctors. And when I have had problems with something on my statement, guess what?.....it usually turns out to be an issue with my insurance company! I know the front desk can be very busy at times, and I have been left on hold sometimes, but I actually prefer that to having to listen to menu options and make selections that only get me to a recording. There's always a live person on the other of the phone at Dr. Hoyte's office. And that's just the point.......it's the personal touches that really make going there a great experience. It's comfortable and inviting and I love to see the dogs! That's part of the charm. For anyone considering this office for their primary care physician, I recommend it highly! It's a little different than any other doctor's office you've been to, but if you're looking for a place that treats you like a human being, that really listens to you, where they think outside the box, then this is the place for you. I mean, where else have you been where the doctor wears jeans and makes you call her by her first name! It's the greatest doctor's office I know! Pros: Respectful, Thorough, Friendly Cons: Nothing comes to mind! more

I did not go to WPC for long, but felt very comfortable and not rushed. It was homey. Something soon happened within office and employees were leaving. I was now being rushed. My physical lasted about 10 minutes and I was ushered out the door. A significant health issue was overlooked. I cannot recommend someone else going through what I did. Pros: All woman practice Cons: everything else more

I did not go to WPC for long, but felt very comfortable and not rushed. It was homey. Something soon happened within office and employees were leaving. I was now being rushed. My physical lasted about 10 minutes and I was ushered out the door. A significant health issue was overlooked. I cannot recommend someone else going through what I did. Pros: All woman practice Cons: everything else more

I am afraid I have had experiences similar to those described by others. It appears that the practice manager is taking note, and I hope things are changing. I have been to Dr. Hoyte in the early days and subsequently to several wonderful PAs. In the last few years, however, the billing office has on several occasions tried to make me pay money over and above my copay even though Blue Cross has informed me I am only responsible for the copay; they have made me pay a separate lab fee when sending bloodwork (regular lipid panels and such, nothing particularly fancy) off site (whereas my GYN includes the cost of labs in the full office visit cost so that the copay covers everything); I called one time for a phone consult (granted it was 2 years ago) when I was so desperately ill I could barely get to the phone to ask for a medication to help me through until I could leave the house again and get to their office and didn't get a call back until the next day, fortunately I recovered and ended up OK without the medication, but I was worried that I might have to go to ER; they have told me that they didn't have any record of documents I have supplied from my gyn when I have mailed them or hand delivered them, making me wonder where they are filed; they have refused to call in a month's worth of a prescription until I could get back in to the office; and when I questioned some of these practices I received a letter from the practice manager justifying their rules. Even if we are medical clients, we are still customers, and I have done some serious research into other practices. Some of my friends (some of whom I referred to this practice) have done the same. The PAs have told me I could have my gyn checkups there, but I have purposely kept a separate gyn whose office is a model of efficiency and whose bedside manner is impeccable because of the troubles with this office. I hope it improves in this bad economy. Pros: Convenient location, compassionate PAs Cons: Increasingly overpriced, admin staff not always as efficient as the medical staff more

I am afraid I have had experiences similar to those described by others. It appears that the practice manager is taking note, and I hope things are changing. I have been to Dr. Hoyte in the early days and subsequently to several wonderful PAs. In the last few years, however, the billing office has on several occasions tried to make me pay money over and above my copay even though Blue Cross has informed me I am only responsible for the copay; they have made me pay a separate lab fee when sending bloodwork (regular lipid panels and such, nothing particularly fancy) off site (whereas my GYN includes the cost of labs in the full office visit cost so that the copay covers everything); I called one time for a phone consult (granted it was 2 years ago) when I was so desperately ill I could barely get to the phone to ask for a medication to help me through until I could leave the house again and get to their office and didn't get a call back until the next day, fortunately I recovered and ended up OK without the medication, but I was worried that I might have to go to ER; they have told me that they didn't have any record of documents I have supplied from my gyn when I have mailed them or hand delivered them, making me wonder where they are filed; they have refused to call in a month's worth of a prescription until I could get back in to the office; and when I questioned some of these practices I received a letter from the practice manager justifying their rules. Even if we are medical clients, we are still customers, and I have done some serious research into other practices. Some of my friends (some of whom I referred to this practice) have done the same. The PAs have told me I could have my gyn checkups there, but I have purposely kept a separate gyn whose office is a model of efficiency and whose bedside manner is impeccable because of the troubles with this office. I hope it improves in this bad economy. Pros: Convenient location, compassionate PAs Cons: Increasingly overpriced, admin staff not always as efficient as the medical staff more

I would like the opportunity to respond to the comment regarding staff turn-over. I do realize that there was a period of time when it seemed as if our NPs/PAs were constantly changing, and it was a situation that concerned us, as well. For the patients that were affected by this, I want you to know that while we did lose a few wonderful NPs due to personal life changes, we also made staffing changes when we felt that the overall well-being of our patients was not in good hands. (For example, a former WPC provider has since had her license revoked.) I would also like to address the issue of call-backs from Dr. Hoyte. For those that have had a visit with her, you know that her concern for her patients is thorough and genuine. Dr. Hoyte sees patients back-to-back in any given work day. Each work day, we receive hundreds of inquiries/requests/test results/Rx refill requests via fax, e-mail, US mail, and by phone. Dr. Hoyte and the NPs attempt to handle the more urgent inquiries during their lunch hour, but it is usually after 5:00 p.m. before they have a chance to even review the day's inquiries. If the response to an inquiry can be relayed back to the patient through our office staff, that is the most efficient way to handle the communication. This is usually done the following morning, as the office staff has left shortly after 5:00 p.m. In some cases, when the inquiry is too complex for message relay, Dr. Hoyte may decide it is much more effective for the patient to come in and discuss it face-to-face. Honestly, it is not due to lack of concern that Dr. Hoyte doesn't personally return phone calls! For abnormal test results, it is standard practice at WPC for the patient to receive a phone call from their provider, not the office staff. Unfortunately, I cannot explain why "weryer" did not receive this level of service, and I do regret that that was her experience. Linda Then Practice Manager WPC more

I would like the opportunity to respond to the comment regarding staff turn-over. I do realize that there was a period of time when it seemed as if our NPs/PAs were constantly changing, and it was a situation that concerned us, as well. For the patients that were affected by this, I want you to know that while we did lose a few wonderful NPs due to personal life changes, we also made staffing changes when we felt that the overall well-being of our patients was not in good hands. (For example, a former WPC provider has since had her license revoked.) \r I would also like to address the issue of call-backs from Dr. Hoyte. For those that have had a visit with her, you know that her concern for her patients is thorough and genuine. Dr. Hoyte sees patients back-to-back in any given work day. Each work day, we receive hundreds of inquiries/requests/test results/Rx refill requests via fax, e-mail, US mail, and by phone. Dr. Hoyte and the NPs attempt to handle the more urgent inquiries during their lunch hour, but it is usually after 5:00 p.m. before they have a chance to even review the day's inquiries. If the response to an inquiry can be relayed back to the patient through our office staff, that is the most efficient way to handle the communication. This is usually done the following morning, as the office staff has left shortly after 5:00 p.m. In some cases, when the inquiry is too complex for message relay, Dr. Hoyte may decide it is much more effective for the patient to come in and discuss it face-to-face. Honestly, it is not due to lack of concern that Dr. Hoyte doesn't personally return phone calls!\r For abnormal test results, it is standard practice at WPC for the patient to receive a phone call from their provider, not the office staff. Unfortunately, I cannot explain why ""weryer"" did not receive this level of service, and I do regret that that was her experience.\r \r Linda Then\r Practice Manager\r WPC more

I have been going to this practice when it started over 10 years ago. I have had NP's that I have established great relationships with over the years and was always very happy with the practice and often referred people there. Unfortunately this practice has declined dramatically! The last time I had an annual exam I had to cut the appointment short because of all the commotion in the hall...for whatever reason Dr. Hoyte and her employees bring their pets to work. Try having an exam with 4 dogs having a fit right outside the exam room door because they are about to go outside! I think not. As the other reviewers mentioned it has become a revolving door for employees and the ones that they have now are awful! I have had the same problem with the receptionist calling me with test results without any medical knowledge. I had been over charged for something and got nowhere with the office manager in trying to resolve it. It is sad that it used to be a great practice yet now I STAY AWAY from there. Pros: all female practice? Cons: animals in a medical office says enough! more

I have been going to this practice when it started over 10 years ago. I have had NP's that I have established great relationships with over the years and was always very happy with the practice and often referred people there. \r \r Unfortunately this practice has declined dramatically! The last time I had an annual exam I had to cut the appointment short because of all the commotion in the hall...for whatever reason Dr. Hoyte and her employees bring their pets to work. Try having an exam with 4 dogs having a fit right outside the exam room door because they are about to go outside! I think not. \r \r As the other reviewers mentioned it has become a revolving door for employees and the ones that they have now are awful! I have had the same problem with the receptionist calling me with test results without any medical knowledge. I had been over charged for something and got nowhere with the office manager in trying to resolve it. It is sad that it used to be a great practice yet now I STAY AWAY from there.\r Pros: all female practice? Cons: animals in a medical office says enough! more

I have been going to WPC f or several years now and am becoming more disappointed in the service. Everytime I find someone in the practice I really like, they are no longer there the next time. This leads to inconsistant service and concern on why physicians/PAs are not staying with the practice.\r \r Also, I recently had a procedure were there were abnormal results. Instead of a medically trained person calling me back, someone from the front desk did. She could not answer any of my questions, or for that fact, even pronounce the procedure I had. She did call back with responses from Dr. Hoyte. However, when I had further followup questionas, I had to wait again for a callback after front desk asked Dr.Hoyte for answers to my quesitons. When I asked if Dr.Hoyte could please give me a call back to discuss results, I was told that she did not do this. I think this is a ridiculous way to run things. Whene you go for a procedure that is timely and very costly, and get abnormal results, it should be the doctor calling back to answer any of your questions or concerns. This is extremely important in health care. I urge Dr. Hoyte to change this practice. Pros: easy access Cons: inconsistant service more

I have been going to WPC f or several years now and am becoming more disappointed in the service. Everytime I find someone in the practice I really like, they are no longer there the next time. This leads to inconsistant service and concern on why physicians/PAs are not staying with the practice. Also, I recently had a procedure were there were abnormal results. Instead of a medically trained person calling me back, someone from the front desk did. She could not answer any of my questions, or for that fact, even pronounce the procedure I had. She did call back with responses from Dr. Hoyte. However, when I had further followup questionas, I had to wait again for a callback after front desk asked Dr.Hoyte for answers to my quesitons. When I asked if Dr.Hoyte could please give me a call back to discuss results, I was told that she did not do this. I think this is a ridiculous way to run things. Whene you go for a procedure that is timely and very costly, and get abnormal results, it should be the doctor calling back to answer any of your questions or concerns. This is extremely important in health care. I urge Dr. Hoyte to change this practice. Pros: easy access Cons: inconsistant service more

I've been going to Dr. Hoyte for a number of years. She is a great doctor. But in the last 2-3 years this practice has really changed. It's all about money, decor, social statements, you name it, except for the caring, patient focus Dr. Hoyte had when she started this practice. This is a sad review to write. But I'm looking for new dr. Pros: Really good physician Cons: The tail's wagging the dog. more

I've been going to Dr. Hoyte for a number of years. She is a great doctor. But in the last 2-3 years this practice has really changed. It's all about money, decor, social statements, you name it, except for the caring, patient focus Dr. Hoyte had when she started this practice. This is a sad review to write. But I'm looking for new dr.\r Pros: Really good physician Cons: The tail's wagging the dog. more

For my last two physicals and for a couple of sick visits I have been going to Women's Primary Care and I can't recommend them highly enough. Wait times have either been reasonable or there has been no waiting time at all. Medical costs are medical costs wherever you go, but at least here I feel like a name and not a number. This is no conveyer belt medical office. The staff is very friendly, and has a wholistic approach that encompasses all areas of my life not just my vitals. Having a lab onsite is so convenient. I have also taken advantage of the fact that they have a massage therapist in the office. Consultations have been thorough and personal and very helpful. My only regret is that I can't recommend it to my male family and friends! But really I actually like that it is dedicated to women's health. Pros: Thorough Consultations, Wellness/Wholistic Oriented, Onsite Lab more

For my last two physicals and for a couple of sick visits I have been going to Women's Primary Care and I can't recommend them highly enough. Wait times have either been reasonable or there has been no waiting time at all. Medical costs are medical costs wherever you go, but at least here I feel like a name and not a number. This is no conveyer belt medical office. The staff is very friendly, and has a wholistic approach that encompasses all areas of my life not just my vitals. Having a lab onsite is so convenient. I have also taken advantage of the fact that they have a massage therapist in the office. Consultations have been thorough and personal and very helpful. My only regret is that I can't recommend it to my male family and friends! But really I actually like that it is dedicated to women's health. Pros: Thorough Consultations, Wellness/Wholistic Oriented, Onsite Lab more

Not happy with last visit....over 700.00 for 'wellness' check up. Charged $250.00 for bone density test....then additional charge of $135.00 to receive results. Not made aware of the additional cost. Wouldn't you think 250.00 would include a 15 minute chat about results and a major push into selling me on treatments???? Feeling ripped off. Another example of our wonderful health care system. Phone calls not returned either. Probably going elsewhere for next visit. Pros: efficient Cons: costly more

Not happy with last visit....over 700.00 for 'wellness' check up. Charged $250.00 for bone density test....then additional charge of $135.00 to receive results. Not made aware of the additional cost. Wouldn't you think 250.00 would include a 15 minute chat about results and a major push into selling me on treatments????\r Feeling ripped off. Another example of our wonderful health care system.\r Phone calls not returned either. Probably going elsewhere for next visit. Pros: efficient Cons: costly more