Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians in West Springfield

Dr. Calabrese was so caring and the receptionist, Jennifer, had such a great sense of urgency and worked hard to schedule scans that day!!

I gotta say.. a while lot of crabbing and complaining from people because of the call wait times (and i know it too) gotta say that alot of people are talking about their health insurance and not getting the papaerwork, they are getting the paperwork they just take a long time to approve. Ive been going here for 8 years or so. My back is completely messed up. I had dr chan and now dr woods. Whoever said that no other provider will touch after pssp injections are wrong its 99% your insurance company. They will not tell you if you do call them ive done been through that. I now have different insurance and injections scheduled the day im there. Its your insurance NOT PSSP that makes all the delays! Yes they book way out because of limited staff for spine specialists in anywhere near here in MA.. Dome people want a surgeon and have surgery on spine but im not one of them. My dr is great. If i need something he will call or make things right right away. Never had a script issue cuz i call 4 days ahead of when i need them. Dr is attentive and caring. Understand their job as youd want people to understand yours. They are medical providers in special areas and many people have issues. You are not the only person they care for. And i respect if my dr needs a little bit extra time because his patients need that extra time and youd want them to do the same for you instead of running out the door because hes got to go to next appointment. So im hearing people nothing but complaining because a dr is attentive and takes that extra time if you need it . But if a dr isnt attentive youd complain about that. They have a huge caseload and i am one thats frustrated about the phone and nobody picking up but i direct it toward the people that need to hear it . Not giving them a bad review or comments. 8 or 9 years now ive been going to them. Used to have to wait almost 7 months for an injection and it wasnt because of the dr it was the insurance company that didnt want to approve it . New insurance company and now its boom like next day i can get an injection if needed. If i need anything my dr is there as long as he gets the message. I might get frustrated with the phone call thing but patient and dr care ratio i gotta say is one of the best and its very difficult to find a good knowledgeable caring dr i am thankful. I have seeked a second opinion and you will find drs wanna do surgery almost all of them. I dont want surgery on my spinal area. So i am thankful even more that there are different options to alleviate pain or keep it under control. You will not find better drs in this area of expertise for non evasive relief. Get the portal. U can talk to your dr through that. These drs do care but many need care so be patient. Its equal care and attentive for everyone even if u happen to need a few mins over your appointment time. They do care but i can only speak about dr woods but in office i always hear patients happy with thier drs in east longmeadow. So great job to the drs reception needs work that's all.

I have been going to this location for 10+ years. Most of those years have been spent with the same Dr who I have a lot of respect for. I have seen this business go from one who cares about the patient to one who cares more for greed, and how many patients they can fit Into an hour. My doctor used to be exceptional with meeting all my needs in a timely fashion, this is no longer the case. Now being an established patient with severe back issues/chronic pain, spinal cord, impingement, 13" metal rod etc. I have to wait four months for an appointment, and this is after appointments were mistakenly or mysteriously canceled on me that I've showed up for. No preferential treatment. I would not recommend this facility as I believe they've already taken on more than they can handle. How can that possibly be induce to providing excellent healthcare?

They scheduled me months out from when I was referred to them, then cancelled my appointment 10 minutes before and tried to reschedule me for 6+ weeks out. Do not waste your time and find another location if you need timely treatment.

Administrative issues as others have mentioned. I was provided a referral by my PCP because this practice took my insurance. I was told the next day that they were not accepting it because it was not sent by my PCP(?). Contacted my PCP, who sent another referral, and was told it was all set and made an appointment for two weeks out. I am now being told that the referral was never received and my appointment was being cancelled. This incompetence, which spanned over two weeks, just delayed my receiving treatment while my symptoms are worsening. I am having my PCP seek another specialist for treatment. I wound recommend seeking treatment elsewhere if you want to be seen in a timely manner!

I've been a patient for about 6 years and I have had an amazing experience. I loved both my providers and I'm always in an out ( I only book the 7am appointment due to work starting at 8am) and the PT guys are miracle workers. I follow all of their stretches recommended and have been pain free for the most part. Sometimes I need a tweaking so I will come in but overall, all of the staff are nice. Again, I'm one of the first patient's in the morning so that may be why I never have to deal with rude staff or long wait times. I have referred my family to them as well.

Please do not visit this practice. I cannot stress this enough. I rarely if ever leave reviews, but I have never in my life experienced such repeated negligence and poor customer service. If this will deter at least one person from going, it will be worth it. I apologize for my rageful rant, but here goes. I have been going to PSSP for a couple of months for herniated discs with nerve compression that left me unable to walk. Thankfully, I am mobile now, but will still need surgery even though I'm in my 30s. When you're expressing debilitating pain like that and willing to chop off your own hand just to get it to stop, you desperately want a provider who will listen and help. Without that, you're left feeling utterly helpless and that's exactly what I experienced. To their credit, the providers have always been very kind during appointments. However, nothing is done as soon as you leave and little to no help is provided. 1) When I've reached out via phone or the portal about worsening pain, concerning symptoms, missing information, etc. I don't receive a reply or I receive a reply that has nothing to do with my question. 2) I personally provided a Certificate of Health Care Provider form (required for FMLA) to be filled out 6.5 weeks ago. I followed up in person 3 weeks later and was told the doctor wasn't in to complete that. I later called to check status and was told there was no record of it. Thankfully, I have an incredible employer and can work from home so I just gave up. 3) After waiting for 5.5 weeks for my handicap placard, I was told it was sent, but never received it. 4) Authorizations for my prescriptions have never been sent to my insurance company so I've been having to pay out of pocket. 5) I called for a prescription refill on a Thursday so I could get it before Friday and no one followed up with me. I followed up the next day, but was told they don't do refills on Fridays. 6) During this refill call, I was also accused of misusing my prescription and refused a refill because they failed to read that the original script was filled for 30 pills and not 60. I had to make (and pay for) an additional, completely unnecessary appointment to get it straightened out. Accusing someone of misusing drugs during the opioid epidemic due to THEIR failure to read was insane to me. 7) My preauthorization for my epidural injection was not expedited as I had requested so I had to wait 2 additional weeks to schedule it vs 3 days. 8) I tried switching to a different provider, but no one would touch me because once you get one injection, the second has to be done by the same physician. 9) My injections are now done and I literally just need them to send over my surgery referral so I can get away from them, but the hospital still has no receipt of it. This all may make me sound like a raving lunatic and I very well may be! I sure feel that way after having dealt with their unprofessionalism for so long. If you still decide to give them try, I hope for your sake that you have a better experience.

The staff is welcoming especially Sean who always greets you with a smile and positive attitude! Every Doctor we have seen has been extremely knowledgeable, patient and had a beyond exceptional bedside manner! It is worth the hour drive to know you will be seen on time by doctors who care about your health and treat your issues.