Watauga Medical Center - Boone, North Carolina

Elizabeth F. (.

We have had varied experiences at Watauga but our most recent was wonderful. Dr Willis, Josh, another nurse, reception, radiology, everyone was wonderful and cared for my son warmly while explaining every piece of the process. At one point going back to a room someone told us not to use a certain room because it was for a cancer patient and my son said that was ‘more important’. The nurse who brought us back said ‘no, that’s important, and so are you.’

That attitude epitomized this visit. Dr Willis’ gentle bedside manner, Josh’s patient kindness explaining the material he was wrapping his arm with and how to care for it, radiology joking with him and wishing him well. Every single person there prioritized my son having a positive, gentle, experience and I am so grateful. We need more medical experiences like this.

Jonathan P.

My experience with the ER and hospital staff is overwhelmingly positive. I was very lucky the ER was basically empty because I know sometimes the wait can be hours.

My primary physical for this visit was unable to treat me the same day I was checked into the hospital. He came up for a short 10 minute conversation after his last surgery where we briefly discussed treatment. I received treatment first thing the next morning and never saw him again. A few hours later they were ready to discharge me but we're delayed by 3+ hours because he provided no discharge instructions and the nurse was unable to reach him. He finally called, and we had a 5 minute discussion of the procedure and next steps. I was discharged after that but still with no real aftercare instructions. I also found in my notes later a supposed in depth discussion about treatment options that never happened. I was quite lucid during our conversation. Additional note of high concern for me was a mention of my refusal for treatment. I think it was a copy/paste or it was actually for a different patient because I never refused anything. The cause of my concern is if insurance saw I supposedly refused treatment that could create a lack of coverage condition.

Anyway it all worked out other than those communication problems.

My main problem with this facility is they are out of network for Tricare. That feels like a slight against veterans to me, and also results in me owing over $1k instead of just a few hundred dollars. I never knew an Emergency Room anywhere would be out of my network. I am shocked at this.

Because of that, I now have to drive over an hour to an in-network facility for follow on treatment.

Bottom line, great overall experience but very disappointed that they aren't willing to be in-network for veterans.

Edit in response: I don't want you to be sorry, I want you to tell UNC to stop being jerks and fix this problem.

Marta T.

The staff is amazing and everything is really clean and modern. Appointments work very efficiently, specially mammograms (you’re in and out in less than 10 minutes) and bloodwork (open every day, only takes a few minutes, results back really fast). Sure, you might be at the ER for a few hours waiting for the different tests, etc, but that happens in every hospital and at least this one is really clean and not packed like all others. The attention feels much more personal.

Anthony H.

This is simply from the fact that Watauga Medical Center is using Watauga Radiological Services as a third party consultant to get their paperwork processing done. Watauga Radiological Services is beyond a scam of a company, literally sending bills to collections without attempting to contact the person more than one single time. Anyone who associates or does business with Watauga Radiological Services is no business I want to use.

First, when you call Watauga Radiological Services after getting their bill, it's not even a local office - it's a call center -1st red flag. Come to find out Watauga Radiological Services local office isn't even open anymore according to Google! HOW CONVENIENT! - 2nd red flag. The only way to contact them or even pay is over the phone. A company in 2025 with no other means to communicate than by phone? -3rd red flag. Then the bill itself - there's no due date listed, the services rendered is bare and not clear in the slightest, and they send 1 bill, via paper, and never attempt any other way. No phone calls, no text messages, no emails, nothing. - 4th red flag. Hopefully your paper mail never, ever fails, otherwise you're screwed if you miss a bill from them.
The amount of time spent trying to figure out if this bill was even legitimate took more time than necessary. Adding some additional information as to what the services done at Watauga Medical Center would be helpful, but there's nothing listed.

Then to top it all off, when you go online Watauga Radiological Services has horrible reviews detailing everything I am currently explaining with the exact same experience. So apparently I'm not alone in this frustration. It seems like a fraction of your customers are experiencing the headache that is Watauga Radiological Services. However, Watauga Medical Center, stop using Watauga Radiological Services if it's at all in your budget or you have to work force to replace them. Even a warm body is better than that company. In my eyes they've killed your reputation and I thoroughly don't look forward for my inevitable trip to your hospital in the future, for whatever ails me. Just from the fact that you may send some of my billing to Watauga Radiological Services. They're grossly mistreating patients and don't even have the proper infrastructure to process billing properly. They're a joke of a company, quite frankly.

Laura T.

I have literally spent 1 hour on hold and still remaining on the line. All I asked is if I could get a doctor’s note for work just that a family member was seen/admitted there yesterday. This could cost me my job. But it’s not about me. My husband has many health issues that require immediate attention, which is not what this “hospital” can provide. I thought since UNC took over that finally they would get some decent staff. But, unfortunately, that has not been the case. If they didn’t have to care about a patient you would certainly believe that they DO NOT. To get my husband care or even find out any updates whatsoever I have had to constantly go the nurses station where they all seem to be gathered just doing nothing and acting like you are a burden when you show up to ask any question. The doctor’s are no better than the nurses. If you want someone to care for your loved one/s, please travel elsewhere if you can. The care my husband and many others have received lately have been unprecedented and heartbreaking. Oh, I just waited over an hour to speak with someone in the ER, a live person just finally answered, then disconnected my call before I could even speak. My advice? Go anywhere else.

G T.

I had written a review a few weeks ago about being disappointed in not getting the service we needed as far as transport back to Charlotte for a hematoma my husband developed after his neck surgery there. I want to retract that statement after getting a letter explaining the situation that had happened. Since then my husband had to be admitted to Watauga Hospital for 4 days for an infection and we honestly can't say enough good things about how he was treated. The ER doctor, Hospitalist (especially Dr. De Leon), nurses on 3rd floor, wound care specialist and the surgeon (Dr. Lionel), including his PA's where all phenomenal.
The nurse we had several days on 3rd floor, Abby was such a pleasure and wanted her to know how much she was appreciated. She was beyond kind and listened to every concern we had. The only thing I can say was lacking was housekeeping.
Thanks to everyone who had a hand in taking care of my husband. He has had one problem after another since his neck surgery in Charlotte and we appreciate everything that was done for him to get better.

Davis M.

yall im sitting in here actively and been waiting on like 5 simple stitches for hours, everybody’s nice i guess but also the gave me the wrong shot for tetanus which is just grossly incompetent and scary also i’ll say it how sterile are those gloves if you’re on your phone to do all the paperwork

Rachel B.

do not come to this hospital the staff is a joke. my boyfriend has gone three times in the past year and they don’t do anything for him. the doctor didn’t touch him once and it felt like he was making fun of him for why he decided to go in (he went in for his liver) I am not in the medical field but i’m pretty sure i could do a better job.