Dr. Julio Cesar Romero, MD

Dr. Romero and his practice at Scripps Coastal Medical Center in Solana Beach committed fraud following my preventive wellness visit. I visited Dr. Romero for an annual physical in August 2023. Dr. Romero performed a routine examination and health assessment and proceeded to ask about my general health. Unbeknownst to me, the ordinary discussion that ensued triggered an opportunity for Dr. Romero to bill for services outside of an ordinary wellness visit. Dr. Romero did not notify me, as his patient, that our ordinary discussion would constitute an "office visit" as opposed to a wellness visit. Dr. Romero proceeded to code the appointment as an "office visit" and as a result, my medical insurance did not cover the costs associated with the "office visit." Dr. Romero provided no treatment or examination beyond a standard annual physical during my visit. Dr. Romero did not disclose the potential that our ordinary course discussions would result in costs that may not be covered by… insurance. I sought out resolution of this matter for over two months with Scripps and Dr. Romero's office. The office staff was largely unresponsive and unhelpful, and no resolution could be provided. Dr. Romero continued to maintain his position that the "office visit" billing code was warranted, despite his failure to disclose the potential financial obligations of the patient as a result of the discussions. On this basis, I caution patients to visit Dr. Romero and his primary care practice. I regard Dr. Romero's practice to be unethical, unprofessional and fraudulent. Trust with one's medical providers is paramount and Dr. Romero is not a physician that I or my family would trust. Patients beware.

Dr. Romero, I been a patient at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Solana Beach for many years, my primary Dr. Took a well deserved vacation and Dr. Romero was left in his behalf to make decisions, decisions by him ending on refusing medication refills as simple as that, medication I been taking for years. And it will impact my current health, if we are left with Doctors like Julio,That they don't understand consistency of treatment should not be practicing. Who knows where he got his degree, I will suffer the consequences of him not caring to follow up and see my history. He quoted: I dont feel comfortable folling up with her medication and left me with no options in absence of my primary Dr.