Greenlake Primary Care

07/21/2008 Posted by melissajonas

Leslie Vietmeier is a fantastic primary care provider. She is professional and extremely experienced, but also works hard to ensure that each interaction is tailored to the patient. As a former healthcare professional, it's important to me that my knowledge and experience are respected--but also that my provider is willing to "step up" and be the professional.

Pros: Great quality care

Cons: You have to take full financial responsibilty up front

10/18/2007 Posted by melanyrae62

I have been seeing Dr. Starkebaum for a couple years now. She is absolutely wonderful. Not only an excellent doctor in technical terms, but her blend of professionalism and personal compassion goes way beyond my expectations. I always come away from my appointments feeling great, optimistic, invigorated. She gives me the information I need to make my own informed decisions. She works WITH me, not ON me. I just love her for that. I have not had any negative experience waiting to be seen or long periods in the waiting room. If I had though, I would view that as a very small price to pay for the best care I've received yet. We take my stepson, who is autistic, ADHD and immune-deficient, to Dr. Graunke who also has a wonderful doctor-patient rapport. It has been especially important to us to have a doctor who is good with special-needs children, and who will listen to and consider some of the idiosyncratic nuances of my stepsons health issues. Like Dr. Starkebaum, Dr. Graunke takes extra time to listen, TRULY listen, to our concerns. Finally, their entire staff takes a warm and compassionate approach with clientele. They are most professional and go above and beyond to be helpful, particularly in coordinating with medical care teams outside their office. I honestly can't say enough good about this group of care practitioners.

08/14/2007 Posted by peter_sawicki

I've been seeing Dr. Starkebaum as my primary care physician for four years. Prior to that I had spent about ten years looking for a good physician, one who cared about her/his patients, was truly knowledgeable, and one who was on my kind of intellectual 'wave-length.' Mary Starkebaum is one of those rare doctors who really care about and like being involved in medicine. Her knowledge about current trends, dangers and promising developments in the field is very refreshing, but she is also aware of many areas outside of the field of medicine and really reaches her patients in conversation during the lengthy periods of time she spends with them. Her long past experience in the area of gay & lesbian health issues is also a valuable asset. As a personal foot-note: any time I have been wrongheaded or in denial about an healthcare option, Dr, Starkebaum's no-bullshit approach quickly brought the important aspects of the subject to the fore. You will have to look a long way in Seattle to find a more well-rounded, dedicated, and effective primary physician than this. About her staff: This is a great support-staff. One gets the sense they are inspired and dedicated, and they do a very effective job. Their easy-going team-work and frank interaction with the doctor give the patient the sense that these are people who know what they're doing and enjoy doing it.

Pros: Great doctor and staff, ample parking, easy access

Cons: uninspired magazines in the waiting room... lol

04/03/2007 Posted by seaweed167

the best doc i have been to wish i could afford her though my state run insurance wasnt fast enough for the payments and i was sent into collection right away i think she just needs a good person that knows the ins and outs of the messy insurance industry

01/29/2007 Posted by seatowngirl

It was my first time going to Mary as I needed a family physican in the area. The office is very easy to find and accessible. However, the doctor arrived about 30 minutes late. I noticed great reviews for her online, so I didn't really mind the wait. Dr. Starkebaum is definately a woman who is passionate about medecine and truly cares. She takes her time, she spent about 1.5 hours talking to me while also doing my annual. However, she is also one who has very strong viewpoints and it's hard for her to understand where you are coming from at times. I've been to doctors who are very open and understanding to what you are concerned about, whether or not they may agree. I don't really see that with Dr. Starkebaum, she has strong opinions about various things and wasn't very open to what I thought. I do believe she is extremely intelligent and truly caring. She is vary charming and charismatic. However, I felt as though she didn't really understand what I was concerned about primarily and I felt like I was being talked to by my mother in a way. I also had to wait about a month before I got my appointment. Hope this review helps.

Pros: very caring, takes her time, intelligent, familiar with the medical community

Cons: long wait, not very open to patient's concerns if they conflict with her own

01/23/2007 Posted by gec17

I completely understand why people were upset about the financial policy. Dr. Starkebaum became the the sole owner of this practice as of July 1st and the policy of paying up front (except your copay) is no longer in effect. I absolutely love Dr. Starkebaum.

Pros: Dr. Starkebaum takes extra time at each appointment with you

Cons: Because of the extra care, you may have to wait a little bit for your appt

07/06/2006 Posted by montex

As a man living with HIV, I was skeptical at first towards Dr. Starkebaum. I had many pre-conceived notions about female doctors and a practice geared towards women. But, happily, none of my fears were realized. Mary is the best doctor I've ever had and I recommend her to all of my friends who need a compassionate and informed general practicioner. As long as I live in Seattle, I will be one of Mary's patients. Greenlake Primary Care has always accepted what ever insurance I've had and never had a problem with the charges. I'm frankly surprised at the criticisms of their financial policies as I can't see how any other office is any different. Health insurance is a fact of like and if you don't buy it your health costs will be high where ever you go.

Pros: Makes you feel special in her care. Always friendly and pleasent to be with.

Cons: Not on a tight appointment schedule. Allow extra time for office visits.

07/05/2006 Posted by irishswordsman

She LISTENS!! She's compassionate....and VERY intelligent. Drop whomever you're seeing and go talk with her. :)

Pros: Very flexible scheduling

Cons: It's Greenlake so sometimes parking can be a bummer.

06/16/2006 Posted by ruggerducky

Yes, I understand Freya's point about paying up front. If you have good insurance though, this is absolutely the best place in town to get care for you and your kids. I can't say enough great things about the office, especially Leslie Vietmeier, a nurse practitioner that works from this clinic.

03/07/2006 Posted by freya23

Do not even think about going to this establishment unless you have lots of money. Their financial policy is such that they expect you to pay for all services up front. They require down payments on any procedures and are completely unwilling to work with patients who might not be financially stable and need to work out a payment plan. Their answer to a payment plan is to use a credit card. I have never heard of such practice--outside of dental work. I was not warned that this would be the case. I waited a month for an appointment and it wasn't until the paperwork arrived in the mail yesterday that I was informed of this practice. Greenlake Place treats their patients like they are criminals who can't be trusted to pay their bills.