Dr. Ellen Michaelson, MD

Been stuck with her for two years. Rude, narrow minded, viciously argumentative and increasingly confused. She’s cost me so much more than money and time. I can’t trust her decisions anymore and I will not continue to jeopardize my life and health due to her refusal to consider anything outside her narrow mind. She will refuse to refill medications for months at a time if it means she has to resubmit to a different pharmacy. It’s ridiculous and also — why am I paying to be abused and have my health neglected because she always knows literally EVERYTHING? Just ask her!! I’m done.

Contentious, rude, disrespectful and did not listen at all. This doctor did not address any of my medical concerns. “There is nothing I can do about that” was her mantra.

She is really careful, listening to my complaints and taking them seriously. She also carefully considers options (which she shares) before ordering procedures. She ALWAYS reviews my chart and previously discussed issues and continues on from there. After my adult children heard from me about my multiple experiences with her, they all strongly advised I drive the extra distance from my home for her care - even though some of them will have to drive me occasionally.

The few time I met with Dr Michaelson, she was reviewing my medical history with me and walked out of the room when I told her about my history with sexual assault. One year later her staff reached out (I am assuming by accident) to schedule my annual check-up. I went ahead and booked with her. This appointment, she openly admitted that she was shocked I came back to her. I told her I was too. I went to her a couple more times, where she consistently fat shamed me. I am a solid 20 pounds over weight. No one deserves to be fat shamed, ever. My finally straw was when she ended up having to open her own practice, I am assuming because the previous family practices could not tolerate her. No one clearly liked her in the office. When I showed up to my appointment, she had double booked me. Informed me she had realized she couldn't take my insurance, and should have informed me before I came to the appointment. She canceled on site. Then charged me for the appointment.

This provider was very rude, judgmental, and did not listen... she asked me the same question a few times and seemed surprised that the answer didn't line up with her expectation. She indicated that my previously having received a prn prescription medication to deal with situational anxiety related to life changes could have been dealt with through exercise, though she never asked me what my current exercise habits were. She obliquely indicated I was trying to scam drugs, then later backtracked when she noticed how low my dosage was, though I had already told her that. She also seemed surprised to learn my prescription had lasted a year, though I had also already told her that as well. Like I said, she does not listen. Who knows what insane things this woman has put in my permanent medical record.

My visit with Dr. Michaelson was disappointing to say the least. As a new patient, she spent more than half of the visit asking about my family health history (and then quickly confusing who was still alive or dead). She did not take much interest in why I was there or any concerns and seemed more interested in talking about herself and her hobbies. My physical exam lasted about 1 minute. Overall, I couldn't wait to get out of there.

It would be hard to describe how unpleasant my appointment was. No wonder she has moved around so much. On top of everything I waited for 90 minutes in her office when there wasn’t a single other patient there.8

Not a great experience but the billing office is a nightmare. Still getting bills after the office agreed twice that the billing was a mistake to begin with. Avoid the hassle!

Completely unprofessional, rude and unkind in front of my eight-year-old daughter! Do not go to this provider!

I went to see Dr. Michealson based on what her website says her practice is about: "HealthMax is a primary care practice committed to care that allows each person to speak. Our commitment is to integrative healthcare through a relationship-centered approach. The patient’s story, medical evidence and patients who understand their health are the core of our practice." Unfortunately I found my first experience to be the complete opposite and was sorely disappointed and felt mis-led. I'm an active f

Dr. Michaelson was my primary care doctor and repeatedly told me that my main problem was that I needed to lose weight. I di need to lose weight, but I had a barely functioning gall bladder. This caused me years of pain and lost work hours. The final straw was when I was having terrible eye pain and redness. She dismissed it as a migraine and I eventually found out that I was having an attack of Uveitis and my right eye had developed an adhesion that led to cataracts and lens replacement at 43.

Booked an appointment and followed up with a simple insurance question to receive an abrupt snarky reply in a very condescending tone. The next day, cancelled my appointment due to intense anxiety from the negative energy I received from Dr. Michaelson and was left a very rude voicemail. Am glad to not be seeing her in the office because I knew it would have been even more horrible with no regards to my actual health. Definitely would not recommend to other POC with preexisting doctor anxieties!

ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE OF A DOCTOR AND PERSON

To some Dr. Michaelson may seem rude, but to others she is simply outspoken and truthful. She is a doctor that expects participation in a patient's health care FROM the patient. The patient is part of the equation. If you are person not invested in your own care and unwilling to change your harmful diet, get some exercise and good mental activities along with a prescription she is not a match for you. I quite like her though! I would still be her patient if my healthcare hadn't gone to Kaiser.

Never she is a bad, rude grumpy, and a bad Doctor