Dr. Lisa Kuniko Higa, MD

I have a long history of gastro issues including Crohn’s disease. After the sudden death of my long time Gastroentrinologist, I was given the recommendation of Dr. Higa by my primary physician. I found Dr. Higa to be a great listener, and a very knowledgeable physician. She spent a great deal of time with me, both at my initial visit and my post colonoscopy and endoscopy appointment. The procedures themselves were very well explained. I would also give the surgical team and the surgical center 5 stars. I feel I am far more knowledgeable about my condition than ever before. I am very pleased with my new Gastroentrinologist! I know there were a few comments about staff. I was in the Walnut Creek office and found the staff both friendly and helpful.

I first went to Dr Higa many years ago when working for an Internist in Berkeley, Ca. I was extremely impressed with her ability to explain details of proceedures, diagnosis and prognosis. Now I live in the Sierra Foothills and still travel the 3 hours to see her. She also ahs an excellent on call group should they ever be needed. 5 stars!

I give up! I am on my fifth phone call to try to make an appointment. I have been told twice I would be called back, and twice that the scheduler was out of the office. I am not a new patient, but I will be going elsewhere.

I loved Dr Higa. She spent time with me- I didn't feel rushed at all. Her staff was polite and courteous. She was friendly and funny. Couldn't say anything nicer!

it was a colonoscopy mill. Patient after patient in and out (they should have served burgers. The nurses were great Dr.'s bedside manner impersonal.

Dr Higa is probably just fine, but her office staff is the most unprofessional, mean spirited group I have ever come across. The billing person was nasty and her boss, Natalie was even worse. This is a perfect example of how a hard working professional like Dr. Higa can have her reputation sullied and her expertise undermined by unprofessional office staff. There is no reason for anyone to have to put up with that "service".

Dr. Higa was courteous and ask me many questions. I needed to have a colonoscopy and a endoscopy. However, her nurse told me that my insurance would cover my procedures at their facilities. I waited 6 weeks for this appointment and two days before the nurse called me and said my insurance would only pay in network at another hospital. She would set it up for the same day at this other hospital. This was fine but I had no idea that I would have this procedure in the regular surgery department. This may cost me way more than going to a gastrology out patient facility. Additionally, I have not gotten any information of my test results and have not heard anything from doctor Higa's office. This office has caused me so much unnessary anxiety.

Sadly, I cannot recommend this doctor because of the lousy office staff. You can't get through to make an appointment -- leave you on hold for 20-30 minutes, then transfer you to another extension that doesn't answer or return the call for a couple of days. You CANNOT get a quick appointment if you are having symptoms. I actually put off calling the doc when I was having some pretty troublesome symptoms because I HATE dealing with her office staff. Then, I was told she couldn't see me until 3 weeks later, despite the fact that I was sick at the time. Office staff uncaring, brusque, not helpful. Told me, "well, guess you will have to go to the hospital or find another doctor." Sad, so sad because I really like Dr. Higa.

I would not recommend Dr. Higa to anyone with a serious liver problem. She was sent lab and ultrasound results for me but could not find them to review them. I waited for over an hour, made 3 calls to the primary doctor to get the labs(even though her office they she had the results the previous day). Her physicians assistant said I could be seen after her other patients. I sat there for 2 hours with a broken arm, swelling and in pain to review and monitor my liver after a serious accident. I couldn't wait any longer and 6 months later I have cirrhosis from stage 2 liver disease thanks to her uncaring.