Sentara Rheumatology Specialists

Dr. Hassan is the fourth rheumatologist I've seen in as many years - he's the first that made me feel seen and heard.

My wife was seeing Dr. Kowalewski while on my Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance and was able to pay a "specialist" co-pay for the visit without any extra cost. The doctors they have used and are using to replace Dr. K. are classified as out of network (we were not notified) and my cost have now gone up more than they're worth paying. We will be looking for a new practice. Very deceptive practice I'd advise. Bait and Switch.

This practice has the worst staff I have ever had to deal with in a medical office. When I tried to communicate that I was having issues all of a sudden getting my medication, they did nothing to assist. My insurance companies were telling me they sent documents over to sentara rheumatology but the practice was saying they either didn't have anything, or (their favorite answer) "You need to call your pharmacy. We don't order your refills for you, you have to put in a request." Which I was - insurance just wasn't approving it. I found it especially difficult to talk to Sabrina at the front desk for the above reasons. This went on for ~6 months before I decided to find a different practice entirely to get medical care from. Interesting enough, my new rheumatologist in williamsburg had me approved for my medication again after just a couple weeks of back and forth with my insurance. This showed me that I indeed was not crazy for leaving Sentara rheumatology's and that sentara had fallen incredibly short of care for me. I advice anyone reading this to find a different practice in the area for your care.

As another reviewer mentioned, we were ABANDONED. There are approximately four rheumatologists in Norfolk that are part of the Sentara network and why they won't send one over here to occasionally see patients is beyond me. It's cruel, especially when you're dealing with patients who have CHRONIC, complex conditions. I have been struggling with more frequent and intense flare-ups since December 2021. I was patiently waiting for my appointment to see if there would be a med change, and I can't get an appointment because my appointments were cancelled multiple times, then I was put on a wait list. I also need the cortisone injections in my knees and prednisone to manage the current flare-up would be nice. The best I can do is ask my primary care provider to refer me elsewhere and maybe I can get my injections through ortho for the time being. The way patients are being treated is disgusting, like we're garbage that can be tossed away at a moment's notice.

After Dr. K left, this practice went down hill. They haven't done anything for my husband's PSA. He's in severe pain and they have NO DOCTORS here to see him. The medication isn't working and they tell him they'll refer him somewhere else. WE HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING. Do yourself a favor, don't come here. I don't even know why this place is open if they aren't seeing Dr. K's patients. All of us were told that we would be seen by someone replacing him, but instead, all of our appointments have been CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WHAT IS THE POINT?!?!!!! THIS IS PATIENT ABANDONMENT