Dr. Sergio Balingit
 

Does anyone have experience with this Pulmonologist? I have been to him once and am not warm and fuzzy. But maybe that's just me. Open to any differing opinions, since it appears that's where my primary wants me to go. Thanks much.

Yes I have. Primary wanted me to have a sleep study. Visited this dr. His staff is less than professional. He immediately wanted a Pulmonary Function test. Now keep in mind I have never smoked and have no breathing issues. I have 36 years in health care as a critical care certified RN. For me I see this as an unneeded test, but I agreed. I believe it's a money making test for him. Costly for Medicare and me. The day of this test I arrive and the person at the desk shrugged her shoulders and said we called you a while ago. Our computers crashed this morning and your test is cancelled. I asked why she did not call earlier considering I live south of 466A and the Dr office is near the hospital. Another shrug of the shoulder with her saying "I called." I cancelled all further appointments.

I've seen him a number of times and he seems to know what he is doing.
Cannot comment on his office staff.

well, I'm trying to ignore the staff. Yes, they are less than professional, but the doctor will be doing my biopsy. A friend's opinion is that specialists are rarely "warm and fuzzy'. As long as he knows what he's doing, I'll be good with that. (as an aside, the girl that entered my info listed "lymphoma" as a prior medical condition, when in fact, I had a lipoma removed. she most likely assumed I didn't know how to spell my condition? that startled me a little when he said I see you've had lymphoma...and I had to make the connection)
Thanks, guys, for responding!

Good luck with your procedure. Hope all goes well.

Thank you so much! Gotta admit I'm a little stressed, but hopefully it's just a bump in the road, nothing serious. Thanks again..

To be fair: received a call from the hospital this morning to review my post prodecure happenings. The nurse I spoke with spoke very highly of Dr. Balingit and said several of the nurses have gone to him. This make me feel better, for sure. I will update after mine, in the event anyone else ever asks about him again.

I was referred to Dr. Balingit by The Villages Healthcare. He did read the data from my cpap and gave me a prescription for new supplies. I had no problems during the visit.

Now dealing with Apria Healthcare on the other hand....

I, too, was referred to Dr. Balingit from The Villages Health. I did my sleep study 3 years ago, and my primary physician always did the prescription for supplies. Villages Health will not do this, so I had an appt. Unfortunately, no one in his office asked me to bring my memory card from my cpap machine, so I am going back again this week with the card. I told him it would have been much easier if the front desk would have told me to bring it with me the first time, rather than having another visit, because I'm sure I told them I was a cpap user when I made the appt.

Unfortunately, the physicians here don't seem to realize their staff can break them. Of course, truthfully, there is probably no shortfall of patients for the drs regardless. I have to stick with this biopsy now, I need to have it, and have since gotten confirmation that he is an excellent specialist. But I refused a different practice the Villages Health had referred me to last year, simply because the office staff made so many errors in my scheduling. I told my referring physician if I were truly a senior in bad health, new to the area, and not more outspoken and questioning, they would have had me very confused, at the wrong office and very frustrated. That procedure was routine and I put it off to deal with a different office. It makes me realize that I must be at the top of my game concerning MY health care and keep questioning that which doesn't seem right.

My husband was his patient for a few years - post lung cancer. EVERY time we went to him, he never seemed to know who we were or why we were there. We would give a synopsis of husband's history, that scans and/or tests had been ordered, and we were there for the results. Only then would he pull up the latest scans or test results and review them while we sat there waiting. Simply based upon our experiences, we felt less and less comfortable with him and eventually went to another pulmonologist.

One acquaintance, a woman, was denied treatment by Dr. B because he did not accept her insurance; another uses him as his doctor. When I've accompanied him, Dr. B. spends half of the appointment time reading the file and figuring out who the patient is. The rest of the time he orders tests and shuffles out the door. I would not use him if I needed those types of services.

I also went to Dr. Balingit and brought my MIL to him as well. He seemed average, but his staff was a BIG F. I called to get test results and had to call three times. When I finally got the nurse and complained that no one had called me back, she had a melt down and was screaming at me.

I changed over to Dr. Albino. Trained in Boston, very smart, great doctor and really great staff.

uh-oh....well, my procedure is in 2 days, so I'm in it for now. we'll see how it goes. Thanks for responding. :(

I think he's just a little shy, but once he gets past the chart review, etc., he is very thorough. He'll show you your X-rays on the computer screen and point out and explain any abnormalities. Don't be worried, Lovey, you're in good hands.