Dr. Farnaz Gaminchi, MD

WARNING – BILLING CONCERNS I have been a patient of West Hills Dermatology Group since 2000. Over the past several years, I have become increasingly concerned about their billing practices. Recently, I encountered a billing issue involving my adult child's visit. The office charged an additional $75 copay for a routine suture removal appointment, even though the original procedure was still within the applicable global period and, based on my understanding, the follow-up care should have been included in the original procedure fee. When I contacted the billing department, I was told that whenever a patient comes into the office, a copay is collected if the patient's insurance plan requires one. When I questioned whether that policy applied to a routine postoperative follow-up within the global period, I did not receive a clear explanation. I was later told the copay could be refunded, but that the visit would instead be billed directly to me using CPT code 99213. Based on the… circumstances of the visit, a routine suture removal with no complications or significant medical decision-making, I questioned whether CPT 99213 was appropriate. I did not receive a satisfactory explanation, and the conversation ended without resolving my concerns. I ultimately had to formally dispute the charge, cite CPT and Medicare global period guidance, and send certified correspondence before the matter was addressed. I am sharing this experience so that other patients carefully review their bills and ask questions when charges do not seem consistent with the services provided. Routine postoperative care may be included in the original procedure and not separately billable. Review your explanation of benefits, verify billing codes, and contact your insurance company if you have concerns. It is disappointing to write this review because I have referred friends and family to this practice over the years. However, based on my experience, I believe patients should pay close attention to billing and seek clarification when charges do not appear justified.

Multiple issues with this office however I’ll just stick to this last one last week when I was turned away when I had a shaved biopsy result of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma to be exact. I was initially called with results to come in for a wide excision. However when I arrived a few days later for my appointment the covering dr told me it was optional and there was no need for surgery. I was then called by Dr Gaminchi a few days later and was told her physician was wrong and I needed the surgery. I came in days later and had the surgery done by Dr. Gaminchi herself. She was lovely and did a great job, however to have a dr on staff who could not interrupt a pathology report is unacceptable and dangerous. Especially with a patient with severe sun damage and a family history of Melanoma. I sadly am taking my health and safety elsewhere. I hope this office can use my experience as a learning experience to do better. These are peoples lives they are dealing with. Lastly, when I… addressed my frustration with office staff I was interrupted and spoken down to and cut off.

RUN FAST and read my review! My mother referred me to this Dermatologist. I rarely if ever write a review. The lack of knowledge, behavioral attitudes from the PAs with lack of experience and service is despicable!! There are two PAs that you are referred to for most procedures by the Doctor for normal services. The unprofessionalism and lack of accountability is ASTONISHING. Dermatology is a luxury and high demand profession with 100/s of them in LA. GO Elsewhere. I have seen many doctors and I have NEVER ever been treated the way I was treated by this practice. The 2 physician assistants should be fired. BOTH are incredibly unprofessional, kurt, lack empathy, EQ and social skills. This is medicine, GET OUT of a profession dealing with people! I am an educated professional and happen to have a CA esthetician license. I am Caucasian and considered young not elderly. Apparently talking down to patients is common practice. Top it all off with eye rolling by Sara Weiskirch who… is 1 of 2 -PAs who didn't like that I requested numbing (which is best practice for my procedure) Gaminchi doesn't care if she loses referrals because she does not do anything about her complaints from patients. I first went to Kerry Schlosser who was equally as Kurt and arrogant for injections to down right rude. Little did I anticipate that the alternative person to do my injections, Sara Weiskirch, would be equally deplorable. 2 PAs with zero bed side manner, unprofessional and who talk down to patients is the common thread. DO NOT BOTHER. Sara Weiskirch told me to go to my previous doctor I had before (who retired) when I explained to her how my previous procedure was accomplished. WHO DOES THAT!!!!! RUN FAST!

Very unprofessional office. Staff does not return phone calls for which they make no apologies. Very aggressive treatment and billing practices...there is no policy in place to inform patients about the cost of treatment before it is performed and after speaking with Lexi, she made it very clear that they feel no obligation to do so. I had a 30 minute appointment that I later found out would cost me over $1400.

Everyone at the West Hills Dermatology group is very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. They do not rush you and always make time to answer any questions or concerns. Everyone at the West Hills Dermatology group is very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Dr Gaminchi does not rush you and always makes time to answer any questions or concerns. have been coming here for years and would happily recommend them to anyone for medical or cosmetic concerns.

Stay Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rude doctor - horrible bed manners - the worst doctor ever - I came to their office to remove a fatty tumor that i had on my back in the end of the procedure I wasn't given antibiotic-ques nor did they bather to schedule a follow up - the little tumor that I had and that I had a procedure on got huge and is infected - I had an appointment today with Dr. Gaminchi and as a result of my being upset and rude she refused treatment - please do your self a big favor and stay away from this office.

Actually, it's been a couple years but I just got a self-promoting advertisement from her in the mail. After her PA put a crater in my daughter's back - a permanent and a very "there" mark - to remove something that was nothing (didn't do the scrape to see if it was anything before scarring my daughter) - and then after the PA and the office told my daughter falsely that she would need more of the same, claiming that they could only remove one "thing" at a time per the insurance (a lie) and would need her back in 2 weeks to see about another mole - I encourage you to look elsewhere. I and my daughter contacted the office and doctor repeatedly - never heard from the doctor. The office manager at that time also lied about the insurance to us. We did report them to the insurance company (my husband is in insurance). All this office wants is money - the care for health and well-being of the patient is hardly the goal. Please look elsewhere. I know multiple patients who have left her.

Dr. Gaminchi was highly recommended to me by a co-worker. I was there for a full body skin exam and had 3 moles removed-I asked to get the results right away and with out any hesitation Dr. Gaminchi made sure her staff sent the moles off to the lab for STAT results and I was called with excellent news that they were all just pre-cancer and had been complete removed. Thank you Dr. Gaminchi!

She is a fairly good doctor, but missed a major skin cancer with me. Waits are very long in the office. They figure out ways to charge you for anything and everything. Never fail to push cosmetology procedures you don't need in order to make money. Charges for missed appointments.

Wonderful great looking Dermatologist! I highly trust her opinion on my cosmetic needs!