James Marco Steele, MD, — Santa Rosa

I've had Dr Steele for quite a few years...not easy to reach him now at all. He was fine for awhile and now, since I cannot reach him, no appointments, no calls back, I am looking for a new sleep doc.

Absolutely the worst experience with a doctor I've ever had. Dr Steele railroaded me into a CPAP machine from the moment I went in, overloaded me with information, and didn't slow down when I asked him to. The staff was then unreachable - I could only leave a voicemail and sometimes they didn't return the calls and sometimes the machine was broken - and didn't call me for 6 weeks before setting the sleep study appointment, then another 6 weeks for the report and CPAP machine, and they didn't set expectations for that timeline. Dr Steele ordered me a CPAP machine without asking me whether I wanted one and didn't give me any information about my options for one. When I told Dr Steele I was upset about the process, he raised his voice and told me I was wrong.

When Dr. Steele was in Lakeport, I was happy with the appointments and sleep study I did. The staff was nice and helpful as well. But, now, for an insurance yearly follow up because his office is in Santa Rosa only, I had to start over as a new patient and be charged accordingly regardless of the fact that I have been a patient of his for 9+ years. They also did not have my records of my visit the previous 3 years, so argued with me that I hadn't been seen in 3 years when my insurance won't renew my supplies every year without seeing him for the prescriptions. Ugh! It was so frustrating!!! Changing doctors... it was not a pleasant visit for sure!

Talks so fast I had to ask multiple times for him to clarify what he just said. I felt like I was getting a canned speech rather than a personal consultation. It seemed like he had already decided on the outcome even before the sleep study. I did not trust that I really needed a CPAP and cancelled my appointment to go back.

Saw Dr. for sleep apnea. He had me evaluated by looking down my throat saying I am crowded, and do have apnea. Took the 1st home test. Machine failed. Took it again for the second time. Said no apnea.Scheduled me for a sleep lab. Called me 10 minutes before I left to take the test. Then canceled due to machine failure. You would think he would call to reschedule. No call at all. I called 2 weeks later, no apologies for not calling me back, just excuses. Looking for a different dr.