Dr. Castaneda, MD - Valparaiso, Florida

shanysa H.

Please schedule less appointments.
I started coming here last summer and didn't have problems, but the last two appointments (Aug 2024 and today, Jan 28 2025) have been over an hour late. I couldn't even get seen today (had to leave as husband was on lunch time from work to bring me) and reschedule as people who had appointments after mine started getting called back.
He's a great doctor, but the fact that my own two appointments which were months apart were over an hour late makes me wonder if this is a daily thing.

Sandel' C.

Declining Quality of Care and Lack of Concern

Dr. Castaneda initially provided great care, and we appreciated his attentiveness and concern for his patients. However, my family member’s recent visits have been very disappointing.
• Lack of Basic Assessments: Despite past appointments focusing on blood pressure issues and medication adjustments, neither the doctor nor the nurses check BP, pulse, or any vitals—only weight is recorded. (They did bring in their own BP monitor for the historical data but nothing was taken in-office.)
• Minimal Physical Interaction: When my family member recently fell and had a visibly bruised arm, Dr. Castaneda stood across the room and simply mentioned ordering an X-ray instead of physically assessing the injury.
• Lack of Attention to Patient History: When discussing another health concern, he stated my family member had “been through enough radiation,” despite them never having received radiation treatments—only other cancer-related care.
• Dismissive Attitude Toward Safety Concerns: I expressed concerns about my family member falling and being alone, only to be met with, “I don’t deal with the social aspect…” A doctor should care about their patient’s overall well-being, not just write prescriptions and bill insurance for sitting across the room.
• Confusion Over Hospital Preferences: We repeatedly requested the X-ray be done in Fort Walton Beach instead of Niceville, yet his staff seemed unfamiliar with the difference, saying, “I’m still learning.”

It’s concerning to see this decline in care, especially when my family member is “one of the few remaining Medicare patients” in his practice. A doctor should be thorough, engaged, and aware of a patient’s medical history—unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case here and I’m not sure if being “one of the few..” is the reasoning but it’s frustrating to my family and the patient.

Ben H.

Been going to Dr Castaneda for almost a year now. This area is very difficult to be seen for mental health conditions, they either don’t take your insurance or if they do they’re not taking on new pts. Or like some places just suddenly stop taking my insurance but also won’t allow out of pocket payment. So I was glad when a friend referred me to Dr Castaneda. I get routine bloodwork, Dr Castaneda reviews it with me, he emphasized every appointment on taking care of my physical and mental health through diet and exercise and therapeutic therapies. I have never felt rushed at an appointment and the staff have always been friendly and professional.

beth B.

Absolutely, hands down, the most amazing PCP i've ever had. He listens and cares about finding and doing what works best for you. He is also affordable for those of us who do not have health insurance. His staff is always friendly as well!!

blayne T.

Missed one appointment, had to reschedule. They turned my card off and left me holding the bag at the dispensary. The week before that they cancelled an appointment on me because the doctor didn’t make his flight back from vacation. Went days without my sleeping medication. No complaint. I placed a complaint today about what happened to me at the dispensary and their first response was to drop me as a patient. Not even in a professional way either, he had his wife berate me over the phone, belligerent to the point of personal insult. No worries though, found a great local practice. For those FWB people, there’s a great practice on Miracle Strip. Walk-ins are welcome. They do both primary and medical marijuana Plus the staff was way more pleasant. They didn’t seem to hate their jobs like the staff at Thaddeus’ practice.

Jennifer H.

Dr. Castaneda has been my family's primary care doctor for 13 years now. He is a wonderful doctor, very professional, knows what he is doing, funny, honest and has become like a part of our family. He is very personable and you can trust him with the health of your children which is the most important for me. Dr. Castaneda has helped my family in so many different and important ways. His staff and wife are awesome!! There is no perfect doctor or person out there so don't be mislead by negative reviews. Dr. Castaneda and staff will be our family's doctor of choice until they close the doors. If you need something from him or have a question just ask, he is not a mind reader, but he has always been very attentive to my family's needs and that goes for all of his staff.

Amber C.

My 1st impression of Dr. Castaneda was nothing short of Wonderful! Myself & My son went for our New Patient Appointments today and he was so good with my son. He is very thorough, listens to you, and spends the time to hear your concerns. I am so glad we was referred to him, because he was just what I was told he is. Office staff is very helpful and polite.

Nicky P.

I saw Dr Castenada as a new patient due to my Dr moving. I went for my first visit and he took me off a diabetes med I was on and added a different one. I had also started a new med for my thyroid a month prior w my old Dr because my levels were off in which she wanted me to have bloodwork in a month which was conveyed to Dr Castenada.
I had the second appt scheduled a month later and when I called about getting the orders for bloodwork so I could get it done before the appt I was told he wanted to discuss the bloodwork orders first and then give them to me so I could then come back in a couple more weeks to discuss results. I said I would rather get the bloodwork done before the appt or we would literally have nothing to go over for the appt. I need A1C and sugar levels checked as well as my T3 thyroid levels checked. I have NEVER had a Dr flat out refuse necessary requested bloodwork orders. I would think he would want my levels checked because both medications are new and could be dangerous if levels aren’t checked.
When I asked why I couldn’t get the order I was told I would get a call back in which they sent a letter dropping me as a patient 2 days before my appt and no refills on my diabetes medicine.
IT’S DISTURBING TO ME AND COULDN’T BE MORE OBVIOUS THAT THIS ABOUT MONEY. HE WANTS 2 BACK TO BACK APPTS SO HE CAN CHARGE MY INSURANCE COMPANY TWICE!!!!
REASONS LIKE THIS ARE WHY RATES ARE SO HIGH.
BEWARE OF THIS MONEY HUNGRY DR!