Dr. Arlene M Martinez, MD

I went to SunCoast Psychiatry and had a terrible experience with the office management. While waiting I met Dr. Arlene, whom I believed I was scheduled with. She informed me that I was actually scheduled with another doctor at the practice, despite no notification of this. Her demeanor was off putting and she offered no opportunities to resolve the issue and make an appointment with her instead. The other doctor ended up being great, but didn’t have the same specialization that Dr. Arlene had, which is what brought me to the practice in the first place. When I returned for a second appointment I walked in and was met by a completely different doctor. I once again was given no notice of this change prior to the appointment. When I asked what happened to my doctor from last time they said she doesn’t work there anymore and they don’t know. I refused to see the new doctor and requested a refund on the spot. After some back and forth it was eventually given and I left without scheduling… further treatment. It is extremely dangerous and unprofessional to do that to a psychiatric patient. They don’t seem to understand how difficult it is to be vulnerable with a stranger and how important continuous monitoring is. The whole office staff lacked the empathy and approach needed to deal with this type of client. Luckily I was able to advocate for myself, but their style of communication could have serious implications for future patients seeking treatment.

Dr. Arlene is only interested in how much she can charge her patients I have been seen by my past psychiatrist office - Suncoast health by a nurse practitioner for over a year when my medication just stopped working and the depression, anxiety and side affects made it extremely difficult to work. This feeling of anxiety, depression and being unable to work due to it is nothing new. I have had these problems with almost all my jobs. However, this is the first job where I was actually advised to use FMLA - Something I was and still am not very familiar with. This is also the first time I have these benefits to be able to save my job because I love my job and this is my livelihood. I cannot lose my job due to my mental illness. So in short all the medication switches caused me to miss alot of work and so my HR Dept/Supervisor advised me to apply for FMLA. When I went to my Psychiatrist ofc they advise me that because my provider is a nurse practitioner she will not be able to fill out… the form it has to be the MD. I was also told that because I have not seen this MD before I would be considered a new pt even though I am not a new patient to the practice and she does not fill out FMLA paperwork for new patients. Mind you, I have been going there for over a year. I was told this after waiting 3 weeks and told the day after the deadline to submit the paperwork. Because of this I had to establish care with a new provider to provide continuity of treatment because the previous psychiatry office and Dr. Arlene failed to do their job. They did not even have all of my diagnosis listed in my chart. All of these things should have been noted in my chart. Now I am being told this may have been why the doctor refused to sign my FMLA paperwork. I don't think this is the case as I was told something different but their lack of thoroughness in my chart and the doctors refusal to sign my FMLA paperwork for an invalid reason caused a delay in FMLA paperwork, a delay in treatment due to the stress i have endured with the whole process and gut wrenching fear that I could lose my job. I was advised by the new psychiatrist office to try to speak with my PCP and they said what the doctor is doing is negligent and is completely not true. A nurse practioner can fill out the form in collab with the MD that their office does it all the time. I now am waiting to see if the PCP can fill out the form if not I will have to wait 6-8 weeks to become established with the new psychiatrist before they can sign off on this paperwork. So, for 2 months I have to be working in fear of losing my job. Not to mention their are deadlines for these things. Please whatever you do - do not go to this practice. They want to charge for FMLA paperwork that other offices do for free. They do not take care of their patients. The doctors are always behind and the office staff in completely rude, insensitive and treat you like your a crazy person. We are real people who happen to have a mental health disorder not a piece of gum on the floor to step on and abuse. I never felt any sort of compassion or help from this office. Please do not go here. Thank you

The office staff is horrible. I’ve gone here for about 2 years and they’ve been terrible. They were never great but over the past few months it’s like they completely gave up trying. They picked up the phone, asked for my information, and then just laid the phone down without telling me. I could understand if they said something but they just laid it down and walked away without saying anything. Then somebody else picked up the phone and I had to give her all my information again. I called the day before my appointment to reschedule and they put me on hold while I was talking, in the middle of a sentence. It’s ridiculous. Completely unprofessional. Then when you’re actually in the office you might be just standing there waiting to check in while they stand there and chat. I’ve put up with it until now but I just can’t believe the lack of professionalism.

First time going into this office. The staff is EXTREMELY impatient and rude. I was trying to explain something about my insurance and was told to deal with it and bye. Won't even let you ask the questions without attitude, then wants me to pay almost $200 for a visit with a NURSE PRACTITIONER, not even the doctor. It looks awful when a patient goes to an almost emergency appointment. Even though this is a mental health office, they don't care about the patient. BTW, I just confirmed with my insurance that I was right, and you guys were wrong. My deductible is only for medical procedures, not appointments, but if you guys had let me explain or taken the time to HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY, this wouldn't have happened. Hopped nothing happens while I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack and having to deal with people that won't even LISTEN to you... BTW Someone tells the front desk person to STOP highlighting and pointing to the OUT OF NETWORK session of my policy when EVERYTHING IN THIS… OFFICE WAS IN NETWORK!

Like previous comments, they charge you the full amount, never run your insurance and then you have to try to get the money from them. They prescribed a medication that was not the standard dose, pharmacy and insurance refused to pay for it. I called them, never got a call back. There is no therapy, it is a pill mill. They ask what you think your problem is and they write for medications, in and out in 5 minutes. There is no seeing a MD.

This place is horrible. They don’t verify your benefits until you get there and then have you complete paperwork at your appointment time NOT 30 minutes before like everywhere else. I waited an hour to complete paperwork and verify my benefits. Then told I owe $200!! Why weren’t my benefits verified that morning?!?! Why is paperwork not online or emailed??? It’s 2020!! The front desk is ran by children and the main girl is RUDE. They don’t even send prescriptions electronically in 2020!! So many issues that other offices handle well. I won’t be back. Save your time and money and find a better place with a better process.

I called around for days . I finally thought I found an office that I would have no problem with . I was wrong . I was told what the price would be .I assumed I would see Dr Arlene. I get there I see a different Dr not Arlene . I should have just walked out then but I did not . . I get a bill charging me what I thought would be preventing< That is why I called around for days and asking offices . I asked Dr Arliar office before I went in. I wasted days of my time calling around to see who would be able to take me so.... I would not have to go at it with insurance company . Sneaky Thieves I got what I was trying to prevent n the first place . I have a witness.Now I get a bill for triple . Sneaky thieves. Over billing and you do not even see who you pay for . I wonder how many other people they are trying to steal from. Abuse of power come in all shapes and sizes . I wasted my time and Money. Judgement day will come . The selfish will suffer the selfless will be saved .

I've been seeing Dr Martinez for a few years. After reading the other reviews I had to chime in. Yes she is busy but her time is worth it. She will not prescribe without assessing and was understanding and offered samples and coupons to assist. I drove from Apollo Beach to almost land of lakes to continue using her office. Dr Martinez has always taken the time to not rush the appointment once it started and if a really great person. As a business owner myself, I understand there's always a bad apple when it comes to reviews, especially in her field. This Dr will do her job and is an overall great person.

I have never been treated so poorly but a doctor's office in my life. Their staff is unbelievably rude and patronizing.

Takes time to answer my questions