Karen E. Rhee, MD

Needlessly hostile (to the point of being self-destructive) and does tend to view herself as being above her patients. I took the negative reviews with a grain of salt until I experienced her random hostility for myself. Doctors do it to themselves with negative patient reviews due to poor decision making on their part (they are not forced to be hostile and prejudiced towards patients and they are not forced to deprive patients of care—these are choices that they voluntarily make regarding the type of care the patient receives).

I had the most miserable experience with Dr. Rhee today that left me frustrated in tears at the office. I actually couldn't stop crying for about an hour after either. I scheduled a visit with her as my PCP so that I would be able to use my insurance as wisely as possible to keep myself mentally and physically healthy...because I spend $900 a month for a premium plan...and I should do that. Obviously. First thing that happened: I asked her for routine bloodwork because I had a procedure a year ago and wanted to just check and make sure I'm all good. She told me no. She told me to go to my other specialist doctor that's out of my network for this. To be told this when I need bloodwork drawn anyway for my yearly physical to make sure that everything is in order is absolutely absurd. Second thing: I asked her upon the advice of my psychologist, my brother (who is also a psychologist), a psychiatrist, and friends if it was possible to get my psychiatric medications that I've… been on regularly for almost 3 YEARS (NEITHER of which are controlled substances, I should mention) prescribed through her rather than effectively waste $300 on a 10-minute FaceTime call every 3 months with a psychiatrist. Dr. Rhee was aware that I am an artist/creative, am in weekly therapy, and I mentioned how much all of this costs (roughly 2K a month) and that it was very difficult for me. Honestly, all I'm trying to do is take care of myself and I was asking my doctor to help me do that. It is not illegal, and it is no sweat off her back. She refused to help me, and I asked her in the room if she knew a doctor who could. She immediately launched into a monologue about how "some doctors give it away like candy" and basically just told me "too bad" and ended the visit quite abruptly. I am someone who if I really need to make it happen, I very fortunately can. I mean I have been. What happens to someone who explains this and really can't make it happen? How in good conscience could a doctor hear this and think it's okay to categorically deny care? Dr. Rhee is very rigid and did not listen to my needs, which were not out of the ordinary. In fact, she made me feel like I was doing something completely wrong/illegal and embarrassed me. I honestly kind of think this woman is a monster. I will say however, that the administrative ladies in the 69th street location are absolutely wonderful and totally understood (it honestly seemed like this had maybe happened before) and pointed me in the right direction so 5 stars for them.

No wonder it is so easy to get on this doctor's schedule. The key issues are: (1) her horrible bedside manners (I was treated like a criminal), (2) primary focus on paperwork (as opposed to my health), and (3) slow execution (it would have been nice if she was at least expeditious in the administrative processes that she focused so much on). I am certainly not seeing her again.

It wasn't my intention to see Dr. Rhee for my physical, but somehow it worked out that way and now I'm really glad that it did. The doctor barely kept me waiting, she was pleasant and extremely knowledgable. I did't feel like I was rushed and for once I actually enjoyed seeing a doctor. After my blood tests results came back the doctor called and went over them with me in detail. I felt her care was extremely thorough and very professional. I will see her again.