Dr. Stanley Howard Stein, MD

My experience with Dr Stein’s front office staff over the past six months has forced me to find another doctor. A couple of years ago a spot was found on my liver. I was supposed to get a follow up MRI but have been dealing with my husband’s cancer treatment, so it was delayed. I was told I needed to come back in to see Dr. Stein before he would order an MRI, so I saw him in January 2026. One of his front office people, Laurie, said that I would need a prior authorization. After going back and forth for several weeks, Laurie says she is struggling to get a prior authorization because no one will answer the phone when she calls my insurance. I found this comment a little strange as my husband’s clinical trial cancer treatment at MD Anderson required constant prior authorizations, and we never had any issues. I called my insurance and so did my husband. And never had any issues getting someone to answer. When this continued to drag on with Laurie saying she couldn’t get the prior… authorization, I asked if I could please have the orders and then maybe the MRI place could get the prior authorization. I was informed that is not the way Dr. Stein likes to do things. Finally Laurie gets the prior authorization only to find out that Methodist is going to charge me $2327 for an MRI. I can go to a stand alone facility and pay $350. So I call back and I’m told Laurie isn’t there. She is out on medical leave. Over the next several months, Laurie will be out on medical leave and it is difficult to move forward. I’m told his front office staff is overwhelmed because Laurie keeps being our for weeks at a time. No problem. I know things happen and I will be patient. I find another MRI facility and once again Dr. Stein’s office can’t get a prior authorizations. We get an insurance advocate to work with Dr. Stein’s office to get the prior authorization only to discover that this MRI place does not offer the type of MRI Dr. Stein wants. Keep in mind I have no idea what is needed because I dont have the orders. So I call back again and Laurie starts giving me numbers an codes and tells me it will represent what type of MRI I need. I’m pretty confused at this point and call again to be told once again Laurie isn’t there. I speak to another lady that tells me Dr. Stein likes to use Houston Medical Imaging. And I said wow I would have loved that information months ago. After speaking to my insurance (who actually gives me useful information from the orders they received) and Houston Medical Imaging using a bunch of numbers and codes that I don’t understand, I finally discover this is the place where I can get my MRI. Houston Medical Imaging tells me to have the doctor’s office send the orders and they will get prior authorization, but I told them the doctor wouldn’t do that. So I call back and Laurie isn’t there again. Wait 9 days call back again to be told I now need to come in for an appointment because it had been over 6 months! Of course I’m mad at this point and said I will need to go to a different doctor because this has been a nightmare. But I would like to speak to Dr. Stein to let him know why I am leaving. Never heard from him. Bottom line… his front office staff is currently a mess and instead of taking accountability they are blaming patients. If you need help in a timely manner, go elsewhere.

If you are looking for a doctor who believes you have zero right to (1) see another gastro doc, (2) get a second opinion or (3) look at the internet it read about what is ailing you…this is your guy. I was fired by him for following a recommendation to see another gastro doc just once - with zero intentions of returning, and after over 20 years of being his patient, I was informed he would no longer accept me as a patient. Cold, arrogant, heartless

Dr Stein and his team did a great job on my Colonoscopy. I was so hesitant to do this test and I am no longer afraid. Dr Stein explained everything very well and the staff in the surgery center was amazing. I highly recommend this very experienced Doctor and his team. I

Dr. Stein’s thoroughness, his listening and being concerned for my health has probably saved my life. Went to him for chronic symptoms from food poisoning. He is a good listener and diagnostician. After all his tests and scan, he treated my problem. He referred me to a specialist in another field for some potential problems he noticed from the scan. I was very pleased with the doctors he recommended, love them all. And I have been seen by 4 doctors for some of the questionable test results. Final diagnosis was lung cancer Stage 1. I will be having surgery this week to remove the tumor and I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet. Tumor is small and I may not need post-surgery care (chemo, radiation). Thank God. Thank you Dr. Stein.

Dr Stein did my colonoscopy and he explained very clearly to my son what he has done. Couple of days after he call and explain to me about the results and he himself made a appointment for me with the surgeon. Thought that was very thoughtful of him and he is a very kind and caring doctor that I can highly recommend to anyone. Gamini Abeya

Was recommended to him after my other gastro retired last year. My other got me through and was great. This doctor badmouthed my precious one, wanted to run many tests , and from an insurance and payment perspective his office had no clue. At one point I received a handwritten check as partial reimbursement after their errors in billing. I would recommend staying away from this doctor.

Rude!

The staff in the front office have to get it together. No one wants to hear bickering while visiting the doctor. It's not the first time that I go and I hear them arguing or being rude to one another. It makes it awkward for everyone around. 3 stars because of the office in whole.

I have been a patient of Dr. Stein's for close to 30 years. He helped me through IBS, GERD, Gall Bladder Disease, and testing for possible Ulcerative Colitis. He has also treated my ex-husband and children (all adults now). When presented with symptoms, he has always listened and taken them seriously. Any questions I've ever had were answered promptly. He has been there for us, and I would highly recommend him for his expertise.

Simply put, the most unprofessional and disrespectful physician I have ever encountered. I wouldn’t refer my worst enemy to this “doctor” let alone family members or friends.