Dr. Timothy M. Spiegel, MD | Santa Barbara, CA | Rheumatology

.about .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr. Timothy Spiegel is a rheumatologist and internal medicine physician who earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He completed his residency at UCLA Medical Center and brings over five decades of clinical experience to his practice. Dr. Spiegel is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Dr. Spiegel practices at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. He specializes in treating conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and various forms of arthritis. His clinical expertise includes performing comprehensive metabolic panels, calcium blood tests, and general blood work to help diagnose and monitor patients' health. Patients rate Dr. Spiegel 3.4 out of 5 stars on average.

AI-generated from data on this provider profile.

3.4

43 Ratings
53 years of experience
speaks Spanish, English
Ucla Medical Center
24 written reviews
2 specialties
22 areas of expertise
2 board certifications
2 hospital affiliations
1 office location
Male

Gave an accurate diagnosis
Had a good bedside manner
Spent time with me

Based on patient feedback. Read the reviews

Dr. Spiegel's Ratings and Reviews

3.4

43 Ratings with 24 written Reviews

Average Wait Time 12 Minutes

How was your appointment with
Dr. Spiegel?

Patients’ Perspective

Gave an accurate diagnosis: (21) Did WellNeeds Improvement (9)
Had a good bedside manner: (19) Did WellNeeds Improvement (11)
Spent time with me: (21) Did WellNeeds Improvement (9)
Provided follow-up after the visit: (17) Did WellNeeds Improvement (11)
Flexible scheduling: (26) Did WellNeeds Improvement (4)
Saw me in a timely manner: No Ratings
Staff was courteous: No Ratings

43 ratings & reviews

Sort:

Showing 1 to 10 of 24 reviews

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Worst personality. Very creepy. Way to much touching. He seemed to say things to get a reaction. If you didn't react he got louder and weirder. Very bad experience. It is really hard to believe this guy is a doctor.

May 1st, 2021

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Very rude, callous and mean man!! Don't waste your time or money seeing him!!!

September 20th, 2019

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

This doctor is a “smartass”. I have been to him over a 3 year period and it just gets worse. On my last visit just this week, he asked my political affiliation and I told him it is “none of his business”. He also told me that I was only allowed to ask 5 questions. Maybe meant to be funny, but not funny to me. I am not going back to him ever.

February 21st, 2019

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Always able to squeeze me in if I need a cortisone shot for my knee. Very cheerful and informative and the shots he gives work! Staff is great too.

May 18th, 2017

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Like several other people's comments I have a very rare and life-threating disease. I have been in and out of the hospital and sent to both UCLA and Cedars-Sinai by Dr. Spiegel when the treatment was not available at Cottage. He has been available by phone; he is knowledgeable about the latest treatments for my illness and most especially - he has truly cared about me and gone the extra mile. I couldn't ask for more - and I hope he doesn't retire any time soon!

February 3rd, 2017

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

He is by far the worst rhuematologist I have ever seen

February 12th, 2016

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

I am seriously baffled as to how this doctor has kept his license, let alone how he manages to have a private practice. I cannot fathom why anyone would see him. He had awful bedside manner, was pompous, arrogant, and a complete waste of time.

January 11th, 2016

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

I am baffled as to how he is practicing medicine. He gives outdated information, and is very pompous and arrogant when speaking about medical conditions that he is grossly uneducated about. He made inappropriate remarks during the visit and was condescending when asking about symptoms. I have never encountered a worse doctor in my life. Everyone I've spoken to agrees, and I really feel like these good reviews must be bogus! Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT see him.

October 30th, 2015

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Most caring and helpful, diagnosed accurately what other clinicians had missed.

September 1st, 2015

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

This physician was very insensitive and didn't listen to me when I spoke to him about my symptoms and condition. I will never go back to him again!!!

October 11th, 2014

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

351 S Patterson AveSanta Barbara, CA 93111

Tel: (805) 967-3411


Dr. Timothy Merle Spiegel, MD	Dr. Christopher Michael Clave, MD	Dr. Christopher Allan Miller, MD	Dr. Sean Henry Novak, MD
Rheumatology	Anesthesiology	Anesthesiology	Diagnostic Radiology
	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients
3.4 (43 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)	5 (1 Rating)	0 (0 Ratings)
53 Years of Experience	14 Years of Experience	16 Years of Experience	15 Years of Experience
No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option
Speaks Spanish, English
Santa Barbara , CA	Santa Barbara , CA	Santa Barbara , CA	Santa Barbara , CA
Med School: University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill School Of Medicine	Med School: University Of Hawaii At Manoa	Med School: Harvard Medical School	Med School: David Geffen School Of Medicine At Ucla
Current Profile	View Profile	View Profile	View Profile

Search for your insurance and plan

Be sure to verify insurance information directly with your doctor's office, as it may undergo frequent changes.

Ankylosing Spondylitis
CREST Syndrome (Calcinosis, Raynaud Phenomenon, Esophageal Dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, and Telagiectasia)
Dermatomyositis
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Gout
Gouty Arthritis
Hip Osteoarthritis
Internal Medicine
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (Hand and Wrist)
Osteoporosis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyositis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Raynaud Disease
Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tendinitis
Tenosynovitis
Wegener Granulomatosis

MEDICAL LICENSE

Medical Doctor, California, 2026, Expired

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Residency

Ucla Medical Center

Medical School

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill School Of MedicineGraduated in 1973

Dr. Laura Elizabeth Traube, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
17 Years Exp | Ventura, CA
(1)
Dr. Lynn Meri Fitzgibbons, MD
Infectious Disease
21 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(8)
Dr. Stephen Wayne Hosea, MD
Infectious Disease
53 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(5)
Dr. Lisa Marie Singh, MD
Emergency Medicine
19 Years Exp | Ventura, CA
(0)
Dr. Deleys Mayer Brandman
Preventative Medicine
51 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(0)
Dr. Stephen Aaron Daniels
Emergency Medicine
50 Years Exp | Goleta, CA
(0)
Dr. Spencer Eugene Price, MD
Diagnostic Radiology
10 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(0)
Dr. Reuben Abraham Weininger, MD
Psychiatry
42 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(15)
Dr. William Albert Deruso, MD
Neuroradiology
20 Years Exp | SANTA BARBARA, CA
(0)
Dr. Carolyn Ann Schifftner, MD
Anesthesiology
19 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(0)

What languages does Dr. Timothy Spiegel speak?: Dr. Timothy Spiegel speaks Spanish and English.
Does Dr. Timothy Spiegel accept my insurance?: You can see the insurance plans that Dr. Timothy Spiegel accepts on their Vitals profile.
Is Dr. Timothy Spiegel accepting new patients?: Dr. Timothy Spiegel has not indicated that they accept new patients. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.
Which hospitals is Dr. Timothy Spiegel affiliated with?: Dr. Timothy Spiegel is affiliated with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.
Does Dr. Timothy Spiegel accept virtual/telehealth appointments?: Dr. Timothy Spiegel has not indicated that they accept virtual/teleheatlh appointments. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.

Our provider data is gathered directly from physicians and publicly available databases. Providers who verify their profiles gain the ability to update information, offering additional details about their specialties,education, treated conditions, performed procedures, and accepted insurances.

Reviews on Vitals are submitted by users only. Recognizing the valuable insights these reviews offer into a doctor's reputation, we maintain internal policies and protocols to ensure the quality and accuracy of all reviews. Importantly, providers cannot delete or alter reviews independently. Reviews can only be deleted or changed following an internal assessment by our customer service team.

Your feedback is highly valued and we encourage you to contact our support team should you encounter any issues.

Copyright © 2026 Vitals Consumer Services, LLC. US Patent No. 8, 694, 441. All Rights Reserved.
As more fully set forth in this website's terms of use . (1) nothing contained on or offered by or through this website should be construed as medical advice and should not be relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. Vitals Consumer Services, LLC ("Vitals"). the provider of this website, does not recommend or endorse any particular healthcare provider whose information or ratings appear on this website; and (2) Vitals has granted you a limited license to access and use this website for your own noncommercial use. You are not permitted to copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, mirror, frame, scrape, extract, wrap, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble any part or aspect of this website.