First Care Medical Group

Dr. Lipsitch is a fantastic doctor, takes time to talk to you and looks into every aspect of your health to resolve any problems you may have. Would recommend her highly.
If you can see past the front desk staff who are rather unpleasant especially the young girl who doesn't even acknowledge you are standing at her desk, never smiles and so offhand, she needs an attitude adjustment !! So much so my husband refused to see the doctor and went elsewhere. You will be pleased with the medical care you will receive. when you do get to the examination room.
You can make an appointment but still may have to wait. However the rest of the staff are friendly and helpful and I would recommend you try First Care.

I called First Medical because my three year old had become very very ill and I was beside myself. First, I was told to call her pediatrician and hung up on. Out of desperation, I called again and a second person told to come in because they provided emergency care. Even though I carried an obviously ill child in, no questions were asked about her symptoms, condition etc. After I was informed they didn't accept my insurance, I replied that I could by cash or a credit card. While waiting with my semi-conscious child in the waiting room for over 40 minutes, I took a picture of the waiting room and my sick child. The first rude receptionist went ballistic and accused me of taking a picture of her and called her Nurse Ratched compatriot. I explained our earlier exchange and I was then treated like a criminal and threatened with the police and arrest. I was told they didn't accept Medicaid, asked if I came from Newark, shouted at and threatened with the police action while trying to explain the problem from my perspective. Then I was made to sign a paper regarding Medicaid, even though I already said I had other means of payment. All while my child semi-conscious in my arms with temperature of over 100, struggling to breath. At no point did anyone ask about the well being of my child.

Finally in the exam room filled with worry about my child, Nurse Ratched barged in and again harassed me about pictures with my child writing in agony. Three times I was threatened with the police over pictures that were already deleted. As a professional writer I can quite eloquently articulate my experience without the support of the pictures. Although I hadn't threatened anyone, had not displayed any violent behavior, cursed, displayed a weapon (except my skin color) was not gesticulating wildly. Armed with my dark skin and sick child, I became less human, a template of a criminal was fitted and around around my neck. I wondered if the police came, in the ensuing moments what would become of my suffering child? I am quite aware that I was stigmatized because I carried a State insurance card and given that a preponderance of blacks live in Newark, surely I must have crawled from an inner city ghetto with the tendencies and sensibilities associated with "these types of people." Zero compassion, concern and consideration was shown. I'm sure if a dog was dying on the street, it would have received more compassion. But blacks are animals and criminals with non of the humanistic attributes that a "normal" person would feel in this circumstance. so why should we expect to be treated like humans?

I no longer have to imagine what life in the 1950s was like for blacks in the Deep South because I experienced it first hand at First Medical in Verona.

I received a misdiagnosis from this office which resulted in unnecessary bills. The misdiagnosis could have been easily corrected, but they refused to reverse their error even after admitting fault in writing. You'd be doing yourself a favor to stay very far away from this place.

It's very unfortunate, but I hope this helps someone.

I'm actually no longer going there after recently having the rudest encounter with their receptionist, Naomi. I am working towards a career in law enforcement and there are certain forms that my physician must sign for me to partake in physical evaluations. I called ahead and advised I was coming in for this and could only provide the paperwork to my physician. They said that was fine.

When I arrived there, Naomi, the receptionist wouldn't allow it. Said I would have to show it to her, she would have to read it and then provide it to my physician. When I argued and asked for my physician to come speak with me she reluctantly called her to the front. My physician gladly signed the paperwork as this was not our first encounter with me coming in for such a purpose.

Naomi then waits till my doctor leaves and says I must be charged a 'Form Fee' equivalent to my copay mind you.

I'm sorry but I'm a grown man, a professional in the workforce. If you wish to act like a childish, disrespectful, individual and act like you have some authority over me, believe me there are tons of physicians out there that I can go to.

In the long run.....save your time and patience, find physicians that can afford to hire reliable and professional staff.

Although First Care Medical Group is an urgent care facility, I found them on the Aetna Web Site, and I was very pleasantly surprised that they accept most major insurance carriers. When was the last time you had a doctor you could see on weekends? I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the office and the professionalism of everyone from the receptionist, to the nurses, as well as the the doctors. They even sent my prescription electronically to my pharmacy. Most doctors just scribble out a paper prescription.

I recommend First Care Medical Group to anyone for an urgent medical situation, or for primary care.