Bruce M. Bulkin, DPM - Burlingame, California

Espy X

Dr. Bulkin decided to not go through with my treatment plan after I had made a complaint about discrimination I experienced from one of his staff members on a prior visit. I was asked about my legal status. I felt offended that someone would make assumptions of me based soley on my appearance, obviously. Mind you, this occured after I provided the receptionist with my insurance card from the Health Plan of San Mateo and my valid CA license.

Kristina K

DO NOT BUY THE ORTHOTICS until you get a pre-authorization from your insurance and DO NOT SIGN THE ORTHOTIC CONSENT FORM. The doctor (Dr. Bruce Bulkin) and his staff present the orthotics treatment plan as if most insurances do not pay for them. As an honest healthcare professional myself, I trusted their opinion on this bc they reported that they will bill my insurance and I can be reimbursed. I chose to start the process bc I was in pain and I had time off from work for the current appointment. The first visit I paid $300 (UCR-the no insurance fee per foot orthotic) to get the orthotics process started. Then a few weeks later I picked up the orthotics and paid the remainder $300 for a total of $600.
Now I have my explanation of benefits (EOB) from my insurance stating the contracted rate for my orthotics. The contracted rate is a dollar amount that the doctors agree to be paid from the insurance companies when they sign up to be Preferred Providers. My EOB says that my contracted rate is $142 for each orthotic for a total of $284. That's a $316 difference. Therefore I should get a refund of $316.
I have contacted San Mateo Podiatry Group and they have told me that they will not refund my money.
This is a breach in the insurance contract and a scam to patients. I don't treat my patients this way, nor do I expect to be treated this way. It's each doctor's choice to sign up as Preferred Providers with the insurance companies. If the doctor makes that choice then he/she should abide by the contract agreement. I have contacted my insurance company and they are investigating the claim.

As for my feet, they still hurt. When I went in after 6 weeks of trying to wear the orthotics, Dr. Bulkin looked at my feet only (not the orthotics along with my feet) and said the orthotics fit fine. The whole purpose of the follow-up apt was to evaluate the orthotic fit. You wouldn't walk into the dentist and say your retainer is causing a sore in your mouth and have the doctor solely look at your mouth and not examine the retainer inside your mouth.

I hope this review helps others out there who are confused about their insurance benefits and the process. We as doctors try to do our best to help patients with the financial burden of healthcare expenses. Situations like this one with San Mateo Podiatry Group are why there are a lot of disgruntle unhappy patients. A lot more honesty and ethics could help our healthcare system to better serve the people of our country.

Kathleen Sochan

Dr Bulkin is fabulous, professional and so knowledgeable. His staff is friendly and helpful. He’s taken care of all of my feet issues for almost 20 years - bad arches, plantar fasciitis, degenerating Achilles’ tendon, ingrown toenails and broken foot bones. He’s gentle, caring and realistic about recovery. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Lyn Reed

He took amazing care of my mother for the last three years of her life. He makes house calls on his lunch hour for shut ins. My mother was not fun or easy to deal with during these last few years. He went to the house, to the hospital and then to the nursing home.

Angie