Dr. Julio Ugarte, MD

I feel that Dr Ugarte is a very qualified doctor. He values test results and data and won't hesitate to refer to specialists when required. His performance is more than satisfactory. Negative reviews about office staff or office processes should be entered for Rivers Family Medicine, not Dr Ugarte.

I love dr. Ugarte. I have been with him since we moved to Florida in 2000. For as long as I live, he will always be my no. 1 doctor.

Fantastic doctor, and who I have followed and maintained as my doctor for over 18 year. Dr. J. Ugarte is the most complete caring, excellent, doctor anyone could possibly want. I know there were some bumps in the road/appointments/billing/care when he first moved to Rivers Family Medicine however over the year everything is back to normal, which means perfect. What people don't understand these days are doctors are dictated by Insurance Companies. I was self insured until recently. To maintain Dr. Ugarte as my primary doctor Blue Cross/Blue Shield charged me a much higher monthly premium. This is because when doctors are GOOD, they do more tests and are more complete in giving care. Insurance companies do not like this so they put these doctors into a higher cost category. People need to know and understand this. I paid more for my insurance premium so I could maintain Dr. Ugarte and my doctor. I never wish to change doctors.

I never dreamed I would have to write this since last Nov. I gave him the highest marks possible on this site. However, it is with great sorrow that since he joined Rivers Family Medicine, he can no longer be my Doctor. He has lost the loyalty that I thought he felt for his patients and whether that is due to his lack of caring or his lack of ability to make decisions, it is now an issue with which I have to deal. Goodbye Dr. Ugarte, you will be missed.

Dr. Ugarte has recently joined Rivers Family Medicine and has changed for the worse. He seems to have no regard for long time patients. They advertise open houses for new patients and about 6 people attend whereas other physicians draw a crowd. His reputation and that of the office staff must be getting around as they rude and make many mistakes with medical records and calling in Rx's. That is a dangerous thing since calling in the wrong medicine or forgetting to call it in could kill someone!

Since he joined Rivers Family medicine I can no longer recommend him. He can make no decisions since he doesn't own the practice & has no control over the staff or what patients he treats or keeps. After 40 years of being our Dr. as well as to many of our associates, we all have had to search for another Dr. w/ decision making powers & hospital privileges. His response to our concerns is "I can't do anything about it I only work here" Rude, incompetent staff should be terminated immediately. SAD

You can't speak directly to a nurse or office person. It is only "leave a message" on the phone service...even the urgent after care number....you have to leave a message and get called back (usually late afternoon or the next day). Urgent appointments are non-existent , and it's always a day or two, and wait 45 mins in office for our 89 year old mother who's kept this doctor against our wishes (7 children).

Not Trustworthy!!! Bills for anything that medicare will allow whether the service was rendered or not. i e - Annual Depression Screening 15 min $27.00 Never Mentioned or Preformed i e - Annual Alcohol Misuse Screening 15 min $27.00 Never Mentioned or Preformed ( I have documentation in hand) The entire visit was 14 min. Please reconcile your bills, don't let this dishonest practice occur. Even though this is covered by medicare, please do not ignore this!!!

Not punctual, doesn't care, over books! My Way or the Highway! Doesn't like to be questioned about his diagnosis and treatment plan! Prone to over order testing with out explanation and your approval! Does not give suggestions and recommendations, just takes it upon himself, without your knowledge or approval, to set up Referrals, which generates a phone call from the referred Doctor or facility to schedule an appointment. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!! Walks out on you and tells you elsewhere !

We will never recommend this Dr. to anyone. Very bad experience.

I have been a patient of Dr. Ugarte for 4 years and am highly satisfied. He takes the time to listen and truly cares. When I first went to him I was always suffering with stomach pain and problems with IBS .Dr. Ugarte ran some tests and found out I was allergic to gluten!! Symptoms stopped and I am a happy camper. He will not stop until he finds a solution for your ailment, usually in one visit. I was new to the area when I found him and I cannot sing his praises loud enough!

The new location at River's medical was the worst experience I've ever had with an office manager and Doctor.