I do not recommend Dr. Alvarez at ENT institute. I had read good reviews about him so I thought he could help me for my sore throat when swallowing, sore neck to the touch and congestion. He wanted to do the endoscopy even though he said he couldn’t see the part of my throat that was hurting, but I was in pain so I agreed. He said all he saw was drainage and no infection so it was reflux. I said I had reflux before and never had pain in the front of my neck and was worried it could be my thyroid. He said it was reflux and it could cause my congestion too so no other treatment was necessary except reflux medicine. I said i had taken Prevacid before so I would try that again. He said to follow up in six weeks and that was it for my appointment. I had my medicine delivered from cvs due to Covid and when it arrived it was protonix 30 day supply when I wasn’t even supposed to come back for six weeks. I emailed the office saying I needed Prevacid and a 90 day supply like every long term medicine I take daily. I had to pay for the wasted protonix plus the correct reflux medicine on top of almost $80 Co insurance. If that wasn’t frustrating enough even after taking the medicine and eating only soft bland foods since 7/3/2020 I wasn’t getting better. My throat was still so sore to swallow and very sore to the touch that I realized this was not reflux. I called my endocrinologist to see if they could get me in for an ultrasound of my thyroid and it was 15.9 ml so almost double the size it was before and very inflamed. I got a full panel of bloodwork done and have started on antibiotics. I’ve had to be miserable since 7/7/2020 being treated for reflux instead of an inflamed and swollen thyroid. I was also told to get a Covid test since I have been so congested and had a sore throat for almost three weeks now. Very frustrated with the care I’ve received since Dr. French has left this practice. He was a wonderful doctor and always took great care of my husband and myself. This has been a very frustrating, painful and costly experience for me and I hope I can save someone else from going through a similar situation. Trust your instincts and get a second opinion. The endoscopy they use is not a crystal ball obviously and is just a way to add more to the bill in my situation.

Submitted July 15, 2020

I have Meniere’s Disease which has been successfully treated for a decade and a half by one of the leading specialists in the country. He retired and I went to Alvarez whose practice touted him as an expert in Meniere’s. In actual fact, he knows almost nothing about Meniere’s. The ONLY things he did was to badmouth my previous physician, calling him “old school” and recommended that I have injections and/or surgery which will destroy what hearing I left in order to stop the vertigo. He referred to one such apparently “new school” doctor. He was arrogant, condescending, openly ageist and disparaging of one of the leading physicians in the country who actually saved my life. Very unprofessional and one of those doctors who openly resents any patient that is knowledgeable about his or her own body and disease. Unless you want substandard medical, skip this arrogant man.

Submitted July 11, 2019

No no no! A new patient that he spent all of 2 min with. Treated me for fungal inf in 1 ear. Told me there was nothing wrong w/the other ear tho it hurt but wasn’t draining. 2Days later BOTH EARS draining down my neck w/right one so swollen into jaw I couldn’t eat. Saw a REAL ent who diagnosed severe fungal AND bacterial infections in BOTH EARS! Alvarez is a waste of time money and a danger to patients health!! I can’t wait to see his bill considering others’ reviews. What is wrong with these careless doctors ???

Submitted Feb. 9, 2018

Awesome Doctor great nurses and friendly front staff

Submitted Dec. 27, 2014

Spent less than 10 minutes with me. Put scope about 2 inches up my nose and charged me over $500 for it.

Submitted Oct. 22, 2014

Treated for Polyps with a sinoplasty procedure. The crucial problem was a HORRIBLE billing process that was duplicative, filled with remittance address errors, and totally confusing statements. One clerk admitted to same. I will never see him again!

Submitted May 10, 2011

Dr. Alvarez saw my husband several years ago. He had a dry cough that wouldn't go away. Dr. Alvarez saw him and discovered cancer and has treated him since. He also removed my daughters tonsils. We have many doctors due to my husbands illness. I rate him among the most professional and knowledgeable and its really disturbing to read his ratings. My experience with this doctor has been great and I feel like he caught my husbands illness early and saved his life.

Submitted Nov. 18, 2009

I may not pay it - But I was billed $280.00 after the insurance company paid $258.00. For an intial exam!!!! No way should this be legal..It appears ats though Ron pawns off the nose inspection as "SURGERY" so he can bill $538 for an office visit. DOWN RIGHT SCUM-BAGGERY! I have sent a letter to Ron and I have also contacted an attorney. The knowledge level was awarded due to some issues that I can't discuss here (legal reasons), lets just say I was given the wrong meds and have severe & dangerous reactions to them..........As for the threating warning below: My name is ERIC HAMILTON, and the statements above are my opinon based on fact!

Submitted April 27, 2008

I made an appt. specifically to have the thyroglossal duct cyst, that Dr.Alvarez had previously diagnosed and aspirated,aspirated again.When my son got there the office could not find his records and the doctor said he wasnt sure that it was a thyroglossal duct cyst and told him he needed a ct scan and to come back after he had that performed. I had to call the office and fax my papers with the diagnosis and Dr.Alvarez's name on them. Then,per his nurse, he said okay just come back in and he would aspirate the cyst,and she said they did find his records.So he didnt need a ct scan after all. And what really got me was he charged us both visits, even though his office lost the chart and had they had them on the first visit my son wouldnt have had to return for a second visit.So we had to pay for their mistake. I spoke with Dr. Alvarez and explained the situation but he charged us anyway.Not very good customer service!

Submitted Aug. 17, 2007

This doctor did not seem to know what he was doing. He was unable to diagnose a simple condition (that was immediately identified by a 2nd doctor 2 days later). I could tell by the look on his face that he was bewildered + did not know what to do. I was extremely unimpressed by his lack of knowledge in his area of speciality.

Submitted Dec. 23, 2006