Dr. Jose Antonio Torre Matibag, MD

Had a follow up to my cataract surgery because a small piece was left in the eye and had to be removed. His services were not required because no anesthesia was required. Despite the fact that he did not attend and no anesthesia was required or given, he billed the anesthesia consultants for a service he did not delivery. Never met the guy (because he did not deliver any service) and as a result insurance was billed $2100 for a service not delivered and fraudulently claimed. I have refused to pay the co-pay on this. It astonishes me the moral and ethical bankruptcy of people in his position.

Great Guy, straight to the point... just how I like it!!!

Very helpful, respectful, and has a good sense of humor... Also he has great calves!

I have to echo what another patient posted about this anesthesiologist. For future procedures (if I need them), I will specifically state that I will not have him as the anesthesiologist. I went in for cataract surgery, two times. The first anesthesiologist was great. He checked me to make sure whether I was under enough and the surgery went very smoothly and was over before I knew what was going on. With Matibag, however, he started by discounting a condition I have, saying that if it hasn't been diagnosed by a doctor, I don't have it. Really? Because MDs are never poor diagnosticians, right, and because as we all know, good healthcare in the US is sooooo easy to access. (PS I have a Ph.D. in a field of human biology.) He then proceeded to administer drugs, and NEVER followed up on me before I went into surgery. During the second surgery I was awake, to the point I could have moved. I felt quite clearly the cutting and tugging and shoving as the old lens was removed and the new one… put in. I absolutely do not recommend this anesthesiologist.

Dangerously unwilling to process what the patient communicates, even from someone he is knows is highly educated and has recently undergone the same procedure in the same facility! He would not listen to legitimate concerns, knew what would work and had to be done despite being repeatedly told they were unsuccessful before, could not work, would be very traumatic and dangerous, and what his predecessor for the previous same procedure had done instead – which was all that was being requested. He denied that any of this was even possible, that it had to be his way, always the same way, and my memory was obviously at fault. Only on the fourth conversation with Dr. Matibag, now in the procedure suite, when I advised the surgical staff that for safety I had no other choice but to abort the procedures did Dr. Matibag belatedly do what the previous anesthesiologist had safely done before. His personable predecessor had listened, comprehended, explained the medical downside of my request,… balanced the risks, and did what was obviously necessary. Dr. Matibag’s bedside manner was mechanical, unfriendly, and minimal from the get-go, and although he belatedly did as requested and kept me alive and out of pain, I am confident that he remains unwavering in his stubborn, his way is the only way position. I will never put my life in his hands again.

This doc overcharges then appeals when insurance declines him. Insurance sides with him, and your copay magically doubles.

Does not speak directly to women patients. In pain after surgery.