Dr. Hsien Wen Hsu, MD

I was having panic attacks because I was just diagnosed with possible COPD and was suddenly having a terrible time breathing. My primary care doctor gave me a different pulmonary doctor to see, but an appointment with her was 3 months down the road. So, I searched for a pulmonary doctor who I could quickly see in order to answer just some basic questions about my condition, one being if it was safe to have to wait for "3 months" to be seen and given medication for it. The paperwork I was sent by Dr. Hsu's office clearly stated that they accepted credit cards. I own my home free and clear, own three cars and have a mid 800's credit rating. I seldom bring checks with me unless necessary, so when I read the paperwork again just before leaving the house and saw they accepted cards, I left my checks at home. After 40 minutes of waiting, I was told I would need to PAY FIRST for the first visit of $200. I handed her my credit card and she said they would not accept it at this location. I… showed her where the preliminary paperwork they sent, said they did, but that if required, I would run down to the local bank and within 10 minutes, come back with the cash. The girl said she'd ask the doctor. When she came back she said he said "No!" I would not be able to be seen! I was devastated. I'd waited three weeks for this visit as it was! I pleaded with her to please ask again and that I just needed to ask some questions and told her they could hold my cards or wallet and I would be right back with the cash. Again, not only did he say "No!", but that "Next time, come with a doctors request!". I almost fell down, because in my condition, the stress caused me to almost faint. I have NEVER fainted in my LIFE! So, I walked downstairs, leaned against my BMW... and began to cry. I'd never been treated so cruelly by a doctor! I'm a grown man of 58 years old and have never cried like that over a situation like that before. I had no one to turn to, as all the other pulmonary doctors were booked up for months. I contacted the local board and they said I had a legitimate complaint. But, I am not the kind to sue or give people bad raps by nature so I held back. But, I regret not doing that, because maybe in some cases such as this, it is time to speak out so that someone else will not get the same horrific treatment that I did. Later, when I did finally see a pulmonary doctor that was actually *recommended* by my primary care doctor, she had me see a pulmonary therapist who actually spent a whole hour with me for FREE in the same John Muir building Dr. Hsu was in and when I told her this story, she let me know that that is not the first time for Dr. Hsu and actually stated that I should consider myself LUCKY he didn't see me! I will not say who she was, but I came This >< close to filing a FULL report on him and if you're reading this Dr. Hsu and I ever encounter your name in a conversation of this type again relating to your cruel treatment of people, I will MOST CERTAINLY file that report I should have two years ago... don't you ever think I won't!!!