Robert M. Simon, MD

In response to prior review: Dear “Latinimpulse M.”: Thank you for your review. I’m sorry that you had a bad experience with me at Montefiore Spine Center, and I understand your frustration, but I do feel that I must respond. I have the following comments: 1. I am not a Spinal Surgeon as you mistakenly posted on the Yelp website. However, I am triple Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Pain Medicine. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the top Spine Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, and Interventional Pain physicians in the country. 2. I have been practicing Medicine since 1985, and I love my career and care deeply about my patients. 3. I do completely understand your frustration about the “3 visits.” However, your insurance company first requires new spinal x-rays in addition to 6-8 weeks of skilled physical therapy prior to me being able to obtain an authorization from your insurance carrier for an… updated spinal MRI. I too am frustrated with insurance companies and wish that I had been able to order new spinal MRI imaging on your first visit, but my hands are tied by the insurance company regulations. Obtaining updated spinal imaging is critical for your medical care. 4. I do not “lie,” nor do I falsely bill insurance companies. One of the advantages of having 40 years of experience is having the ability to make medical decisions and diagnostic impressions rather quickly. I am reminded of my first hospital rotation many years ago at Metropolitan Hospital in NYC. In the early morning hour as the sun was rising over the East River, as a group of new medical students having just exited the elevator, the attending physician came over to us and pointed to a patient down the hall and asked us the diagnosis. We looked at each other confusedly! I wondered how he can expect us to make a diagnosis without even speaking to nor examining the patient. He told us “Pancreatitis!” Simply by looking at the patient standing down the hall, he was able to make the diagnosis in 1 second. I was amazed! 5. The “time” with a patient is based not only on the actual face to face minutes spent with the patient, but also includes the level of complexity of the medical condition and relevant decision making, in addition to the time spent reviewing the medical chart, which includes referrals, medical reports, consultation reports, imaging reports, laboratory data, etc. I can spend 5 minutes with a patient, or I can spend 1 hour with a patient. It all depends upon the patient’s medical needs and complexity of the case. 6. I do not base my medical decisions upon the results of physical therapy reports. They are a great help to the patient and therapist, who can follow progress in treatment. However, even if a patient presents me with an excellent PT report, I may still have concerns about their medical condition. 7. Since I did not provide you with a new physical therapy referral, I must have had some concerns about your medical condition. As you said in your review, I instead referred you for a spinal MRI, which as I noted above is critical in obtaining important information about your medical status as it relates to the spine. It is not “negligence” that I refused to give you a new PT referral, but rather quality medical care. 8. I have never before used “ChatGPT,” except for this one time. Out of curiosity I searched “triple boarded certified physicians in the United States,” which according to ChatGPT is “well under 1%.” I was not at all aware of that fact! Robert M. Simon, M.D.

Patient be aware! I was not impressed with Dr. Simon, unethical and patient relationship. I saw him 3 times, May 6, 2025, June 6, 2025, Telephone call and August 5, 2025. In all 3 appointments, Dr. Simon spent less than 3 mins with me, standing up. Though his reports said, he spent more time with me, this is false and a lie. The first visited was less than 5 mins spent did normal routine. I tried to show him prior MRI reports and other documents for treatment, by a pain specialist doctor I went too, reference to the same issues, he refused to discuss and just glanced over like it did not matter or even sit down to discussed with me. Dr. Simon, demeanor was very unprofessional as a doctor of so many years of experience. Dr. Simon said will wait for x-rays. Left very disappointed. Mind you, with many friends as doctors and professors teaching at the hospital and family members as doctors too, I discussed with them, and all agree to write a review and file a complaint because this is not… how a patient should be treated. All were very surprised how I was treated, given that I am a senior citizen too. The second visit June 2, 2025, I was on the phone less than 5 min discussed issues, and x-rays and said will see me in about 6-8 weeks. On August 5, 2025, I saw him for less than 2 min in total, came to office asked how I was doing, I said have improved with therapy. step out of office came back said to come back in a few weeks and schedule for x-rays. Mind you never sat down to explained anything as far as my therapy reports submitted, and when asked if he read them, he said did not see. I explained the progress reports were sent prior and was acknowledged were received. When I told him as a doctor he should have read them, he did not even care what I was saying, he said he did not recommend, I just looked at him and documents showed he recommended therapy too, I said everything was there in Mychart , so I showed him reports I had he glanced and gave back, and I told him as I was leaving his action as a doctor is not professional and as a doctor needs to see reports and explained. I even asked for a letter to continue my therapy, and he refused given the fact that it was helping me. This type of behavior in refusing to give me a letter to continue my therapy is a form of negligence. Dr. Simon, recommended for MRI and come back in a few weeks. I left there very disappointed and in disbelief, how a doctor with so many years of experience be negligence and unethical toward its patients. If I can give a zero I would, I normally, don't like to give negative ratings on doctors but I had too to let others know. Also, some of his reports appear to use by ChatGPT

Great visit. Very helpful.

Hi TF: We're very sorry you had a bad experience at the Montefiore Spine Center. However, according to the medical records you sought out Dr. Simon as a Muscle Specialist and requested a letter of exemption for Covid-19 vaccine, which is outside our sphere of expertise here at the Spine Center at Montefiore where our focus is strictly spine-related disease. We certainly understand your frustration and anger, but we stand by Dr. Simon as he felt providing you with this letter was unethical and beyond the scope of our practice. We understand that he suggested you seek information with regards to the risks and benefits of Covid vaccination with your primary care physician. We wish you the best. Montefiore Spine Center

If I could provide a zero rating I would. I have a history of muscle loss/ paralysis and an extensive history related to my spine due to scoliosis. I have been to multiple physicians since I was 12 and loss functioning at least 3 times in my arms and legs in my life time. This doctor worked with a colleague that cleared me for open back surgery but clearly this doctor is compromise by the system and told me he's not a muscle specialist which is not only a lie but just at this point disgraceful. Side effects from the vaccine include muscle loss truly unprofessional as a provider and in the best interest in his own pockets and grants then actually protecting his patients and violating a patients rights by doing harm knowing that I suffer from a condition that can be worsened from the vaccine. the oath doctors pledge when they become providers is to DO NO HARM!!! there is a judgement day and a time u will have to answer to god!

Very Helpful. He gave clear and direct next steps. Very worthwhile appointment.

Dr. Simon was very nice, and very helpful. He explained everything in great detail. The office staff was friendly.

It was a very thorough examination and he found problems no other doctors could find. He made an appropriate treatment plan and I now feel that I'm on the road to recovery.

Great doctor.

Great doctor.