Center for Women's Health Care

About Center for Women's Health Care

What is Center for Women's Health Care?

Center for Women's Health Care is a gynecology practice at 5333 Hollister Avenue, Suite 175, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. It runs as a membership practice, and two physicians prescribe there: Dr. Margaret Echt, M.D. and Dr. Sharon Goldberg, M.D. Dr. Goldberg is board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Echt has practiced in Santa Barbara since 2000, Dr. Goldberg since 2010, and the two joined at this address on October 1, 2022. Dr. Goldberg's line is 805.452.0703 and Dr. Echt's is 805.682.8166.

It offers gynecology, contraception, menopause care (including bio-identical hormone replacement therapy), adolescent and teenage care, colposcopy and incontinence evaluation. Its consultations include postmenopausal hormone therapy. Members have extended appointment times, expedited visits for urgent issues, a private email portal, phone access to staff and an after-hours answering service. It does not publish office hours or say whether it offers telehealth. It has a Google rating of 2 from 4 reviews.

What does it cost?

It does not publish prices, a consultation fee or the amount of its annual membership fee. Medicare and private insurance do not cover that membership fee. Most HSAs can be used to pay it, though the practice advises checking with your carrier. It accepts most major medical PPO plans and Affordable Care Act plans, but it is not in network for HMO plans. Listed carriers include Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, United HealthCare and PHCS/Multiplan.

It does not say whether hormone therapy is covered by the membership or billed separately, or whether insurance covers hormone visits specifically. It also does not say whether medication is included. In its own words, about its membership services: "These services may not be reimbursable by Medicare or private insurance."

What should you ask before you book?

Ask what the annual membership fee is and whether it covers office visits, lab work and prescriptions, or whether those are billed on top. Ask whether the bio-identical hormone therapy is a brand-name product or a compounded preparation, and which pharmacy fills it. Ask which doctor would sign your prescription and whether you would see that same doctor for follow-up.

Ask what follow-up visits and lab work cost, whether telehealth visits are offered and what the office hours are. Ask how the membership is canceled and whether unused months are refunded. Before you pay anything, ask your insurer to confirm that both doctors are in network, since the practice notes that it can't always tell from an insurance card.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want a gynecologist for ongoing women's care, including menopause and hormone questions, and you are comfortable paying an annual membership on top of insurance. It is worth calling first if you need firm answers on prices, hours or telehealth, since none of those are published.

Sources: centerforwomenshealthcare.com, centerforwomenshealthcare.com/about-us, centerforwomenshealthcare.com/about-echt, centerforwomenshealthcare.com/contact

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