Dr. Roberto Matta Pena, MD

Would not let me expand on entirety of health concerns-not a good trait in a doctor. He only pursued the first health issue I mentioned and told me I had to come for subsequent visits to pursue the rest. My jaw dropped. Another reviewer mentioned this -that he refuses to make more than one referral per visit. Houston, we have a problem.

I have an HMO, so unfortunately, i have to get a referral before seeing a specialist. HMO plans are a hassle, but they’re cheaper- and how hard could getting a referral be? - HARD. I requested a referral to 2 specialists: 1 for hip pain, the other for a dermatologist due to questionable mole on my skin which I suspect may be cancerous due to the time I spent in the sun as a teenager. The hip referral was not a problem, mission accomplished. He was hurriedly wrapping up the phone call when i said: Wait, what about my skin issue? I repeated that I needed a referral. He told me he doesn’t give 2 referrals in 1 visit, confusedly, I asked: Did you just say you don’t give 2 referrals? Why? He proceeded to provide what sounded like the most ridiculous excuse that I couldn’t believe was coming from a DOCTOR. It was along the lines of: Well, when people have two appointments, we find they don’t show up for both, and we have to write the referral again, and that “makes extra work for us.” My… first response was - Well, i don’t know about anybody else, but i DO keep my appointments- I explained that because I’m not working at office, i had nothing BUT time and that keeping appointments isn’t a problem for me ... AND, i have hip pain and a worrisome mole -why on earth would i NOT go? It’s counter productive. After all, I’m the one who called HIM! - It made no sense. After going in circles, and realizing that I wasn’t going to blindly accept his explanation, we finally started to get to the truth of the matter. He said: that’s just not the way we do it here. Again, i said: yes, you keep saying that, but why? He said: that’s just how we do things... Again, i asked why? I already explained that I am not lumped in that group of people who doesn’t show for appointments. I’ve Never missed ANY appointments with him...much less with any referral he supplied me in the past. After establishing that there was no legitimate reason for refusing to write two referrals in the same appointment, he finally admitted, and i quote, “I DON’T WANT TO.” Aaaand, there you have it! I couldn’t believe it. I am at a loss for understanding his refusal. The only excuse i can think of is that he wants your money, but it’s only like $50 .... I’m at a loss. Like i mentioned, I thought it might be because he is somewhat befuddled, but it was clear: from his answer of “I don’t want to,” ineptitude isn’t the culprit... He is what people refer to as “Difficult.” I should have read his reviews, I know. But when I chose him, it was because of convenience. Lesson learned. Note: Every WORD I’ve typed is completely true and completely accurate.

Family doctor for nearly 20 years. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

My wife and I are here in Austin visiting family for Christmas and needed someone to see our daughter for her asthma. We found Dr. Pena after looking in our insurance directory and he agreed to see us after hours even though we arrived at closing time and didn't call ahead for an appointment.After seeing my daughter Dr. Pena adjuster her medications and assured us that he would be available if we had any questions over the Christmas holiday. She is doing so much better now and it saved us a trip to the emergency room. Thank you so much, Dr. Pena.

Had awful experience with him regarding immigration examination.He did a tuberculosis skin test for me which came out positive, chest x-ray was clear. He told me that clear x-ray only shows there is no TB in active stage but there is still a chance of latent TB which might come out later. He insisted that if I want to proceed on my immigration application I have to undergo 9 month treatment by antibiotics with possible liver damage.I was very upset and did not believe what he was saying. He did recommend me to do my own research on the issue, check out Quatiferon blood test and contact county TB clinic. I went to county TB clinic and turned out there is a blood test which can test for latent TB as well. This QuantiFeron blood test directly tests for TB in blood while skin test only checks for immune response (i.e. whether there was a contact with TB in past). Turned out it's a common knowledge that people with BCG immunization often fail skin test, as in my case, and blood test is… recommended.When my negative blood test results where faxed to Pena's office, he refused to attach it to my immigration application, moreover, refused to even mention it. He told me I was to consult with him before doing the blood test and that if I had he would not allow it. What he exactly did, he wrote that my skin TB test was positive, x-ray is clear and that I refused treatment. He showed me some Q&A page from immigration services website which said that only one TB test should be performed for that immigration exam. But later I found on USCIS website instructions clearly saying that all the available results of performed tests must be attached.I consulted with USCIS on that matter and they advised me to attach test results by myself. And in county TB clinic they told me that all the immigration cares about is clear x-ray. On my last visit Pena also told me that only clear x-ray is required and I should not be mad at him for not attaching blood test results. But this is just awful - just 2 weeks before he was pushing me hard for 9 month treatment saying I'll most probably not get my green card if I don't do it.I'll be filing a complaint with the medical board on that "doctor".

Had awful experience with him regarding immigration examination. He did a tuberculosis skin test for me which came out positive, chest x-ray was clear ...

Great personality and excellent bedside manner. Staff is very friendly and very professional in appearance.

Great doctor! I recommend him to all my friends and they love him too!

This guy is only interested in money. Save yourself some trouble and go to someone else.