Margaret Behrens-Family Practice in Scottsdale, AZ

Pros

• The staff are described as pleasant, attentive, and giving patients undivided attention.
• Dr Al-Badri and her team are compassionate, authentically caring, and skilled.
• Mayo Clinic provides top-notch care from the best of the best in the medical field.
• Kimberly Rodgers is an attentive provider who takes time to review medical history, ensures labs are completed, and has excellent bedside manner.
• Lucas Gruwell NP is exceptionally attentive, digging into complex medical history and coordinating specialist referrals.
• The staff, including doctors, nurses, schedulers, and receptionists, are kind, helpful, and consistently communicate to help patients get well.

Cons

• One reviewer states that Mayo Clinic is a disgrace with zero care for patients and that only money matters.
• A patient says they were purged as a patient and refused care when sick after years of loyalty.
• A reviewer describes the main phone receptionist as rude and the referral system as uncoordinated, noting that new patients aren't being accepted.
• A reviewer characterizes the nurse practitioner as having the personality of Nurse Ratched - a cold, unfriendly demeanor.
• A reviewer points out exorbitant costs, citing over $600 for a nurse to take vitals and about $1,200 for labs.
• A reviewer says billing is a nightmare with miscommunications that led to unnecessary charges and a revoked prescription.
• A reviewer claims Mayo's communication channels are among the worst, with long holds and no one answering, advising to stay away.
• A reviewer notes the clinic isn't accepting new patients, causing delays in care.

Review

This Mayo-affiliated primary care option in Scottsdale is best suited for seniors and families who prioritize access to highly credentialed clinicians, thorough medical history reviews, and coordinated care across Mayo locations, even if it means navigating occasional administrative friction. It's ideal for patients who value time with physicians and NPs who listen, ask probing questions, and map out comprehensive next steps. When a family wants a trusted, well-connected team that can mobilize specialists and lab work quickly, this practice often delivers that level of expertise and continuity.

Those considering alternatives should weigh options that prioritize smoother intake, clearer cost transparency, and simpler billing cycles. If a family needs guaranteed new-patient access without delays, or if a straightforward pricing structure and easier telephone communication are nonnegotiable, a non?Mayo primary care practice or a local clinic with a more predictable front-desk experience may be a wiser fit. Community clinics or smaller practices that emphasize affordable, transparent care can be preferable for households sensitive to out-of-pocket costs or who dislike navigating complex referral networks.

The strongest positives here are the clinicians' attentiveness and genuine care. Reviews repeatedly highlight physicians and NPs who take time to explore medical histories, coordinate with colleagues, and present thoughtful follow-up plans. Scheduling staff and lab operations are praised for efficiency in many visits, with same-day or rapid testing noted in several cases. When a patient has a clear medical issue and appreciates a physician who will dig into details, the care team's expertise and patient focus can translate into real value, especially for chronic management or multi-visit treatment plans.

Yet the main drawbacks are nontrivial and can tip the balance for many families. A recurring concern is cost and billing complexity: several accounts cite substantial out-of-pocket charges, unclear test authorizations, and bills that arrive long after visits, sometimes with surprise line items. Access issues also appear, including periods when new patients are not being accepted and mixed experiences with phone responsiveness and coordination between departments. When care episodes require quick referrals or timely prescription management, delays and miscommunications can erode the overall experience.

These pros and cons do not cancel each other out; they justify a pragmatic, decision-focused approach. For families who can budget for higher out-of-pocket costs and who value a seamless link to Mayo specialists, the upside - expert, attentive care and robust medical coordination - can outweigh the friction. For others, the risk of billing confusion, inconsistent access, or delays in referrals suggests exploring providers known for more transparent pricing, simpler scheduling, and steadier patient navigation. The key is to align expectations with personal priorities: is the priority top-tier clinical minds and coordinated care, or is it predictable access, clear costs, and minimal administrative hassle?

In practical terms, before choosing, families should verify current new-patient status and pick a primary clinician with a track record for bedside manner and clear follow-up plans. Ask for a printed, itemized list of tests and associated costs before any work is ordered, and confirm how prescriptions will be routed to the preferred pharmacy. Discuss anticipated wait times for specialist referrals and whether a patient liaison can streamline communication across Mayo locations. If these checks reveal manageable costs and dependable access, the practice offers compelling value for those who want depth, continuity, and a high-caliber medical network. If not, pursue alternatives that emphasize simplicity, transparency, and everyday reliability in primary care.

Physicians

• Mayo Clinic (0 miles)
• Scottsdale Endocrinology (0.6 miles)
• Arizona Asthma & Allergy Institute (0.9 miles)
• Associated Retina Consultants (1.1 miles)
• Arizona Allergy Associates (1.7 miles)
• Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers (1.8 miles)
• Toca (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Jack In The Box (0.8 miles)
• Pei Wei Asian Diner (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• Loco Patron (1.2 miles)
• Wendy's (1.2 miles)
• The Union Jack British Pub (1.3 miles)
• O.H.S.O. Eatery + Distillery (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.8 miles)
• Butters Pancakes & Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church (1.9 miles)
• Impact Church (2.6 miles)
• St Bernadette Catholic Church (4.3 miles)
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Piper Surgery Center (2 miles)
• Mayo Clinic Hematology/Oncology (5.3 miles)
• Mayo Clinic (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SDL) (2.1 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Kierland Park (3.3 miles)
• Thompson Peak Park (4.2 miles)
• Desert Horizon Park (4.9 miles)
• Sonoran Hills Park (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Harkins Theatres Scottsdale (4.4 miles)