Dr. John Nowell

Reviews 6

MA

Mary Ruffin

I have been a patient at Dr. Nowell’s office for several years. I visited his office in Oct of 2016 for a yearly exam and again 10 days later for further testing due to possible glaucoma. They already knew my potential glaucoma history when I went in Oct…not sure why they just didn’t do the more thorough testing then. While sitting down to do the “more complete tests,” I told the technician that these tests on equipment had already been done less than 2 weeks ago. She replied they needed to be done again because of my glaucoma risk. I asked if I would be charged another copay (I had paid $90 already) and she said that they would just bill my insurance. The tech had multiple problems with equipment that day and tried to perform one of the tests 5 times, getting error messages each time and becoming frustrated. Rather than requesting help, she finally gave up without completing. Then while doing the visual field test, the machine kept moving (trying to center itself on the retina, I’m assuming), and my chin was not touching the chinrest for most of the test. I told the tech that I was missing a lot of the peripheral marks because the machine kept moving. She did not repeat the test on that eye, even though it was almost certain to have incorrect findings. When Dr. Nowell came in, he informed me there was a problem with the results of the left eye. I explained what happened during the test, and he said it would need to be done again. Since I had already been there for 1 ½ hours, I explained that I would reschedule. Upon checking out, I was told I owed a $45 copay! I repeated what the tech said about only billing insurance and the clerk responded that they were now billing my medical policy (they had billed my vision policy in Oct), and that I still had a copay responsibility. I paid the $45 and later set up an appt. over the phone with Alyssa on Jan 24 for a retest of the left eye. I asked Alyssa if there would be a copay and insurance billing because it was just a retest of the left eye, and she assured me there would be no charge. Upon entering the exam room on 1/24, I was immediately told there would be a $90 copay for the retest! I repeated what Alyssa had told me about no charge and she explained that I had to be charged a copay every time I walked in for any service…I asked even if the test was completed incorrectly and there was user error? She replied yes. I walked out without completing, spoke to an office manager in front who agreed that I would owe a copay for a repeat. At that point I informed them that I would be requesting records to be changed to another physician, and she handed me a business card without saying a word! I called the office today to reason with Alyssa and ask why the change in policy. She said Dr. Nowell had seen my appointment on the books that day. He told them, “Every time a test is done, it costs us money,” therefore, I would need to be billed. So now I’m stuck with a possible glaucoma situation, erroneous test results and two insurance policies that have both been billed. This office has incompetent, inexperienced technicians and overbooks patients, in my opinion. If you care about your eye health, avoid this practice at all costs.

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A Private User

I wanted to let you know the  experience I had at your office last Friday. My family and I moved to the Dr. Phillips area about 7 months ago. I have a Silhouette frame that broke. Went to 3 other optical stores. They could not help me. I looked on line and found your office carries Silhouettes. When I called, I was told to come in and they would be glad to try and repair or order another pair if could not be fixed. When I arrived in your office, it was very busy. But as soon as I walked in, I was asked what I needed. The office manger told me it would be a few minutes but would try and repair them. I sat down to wait. Beautiful office, and such a friendly staff. I listened to the girls out front take care of every patient. Even when the office manager was busy and the other lady delivered someones glasses, she made a point to take a second of her time and make sure everything was ok with the glasses and tell them how great they looked. I was able to get my glasses repaired. She did not even charge me. She just
asked when I needed new glasses remember to come back. Believe me my family and  I will be back. Such a professional place.
I just wanted to let you know I had a great experience and will be back and tell others

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Reiyla

Dr. Nowell is one of the most patient and understanding doctors I have ever seen. He really does his best to walk the fine line of having an exam that doesnt take all day and taking his time to get it right. He always double checks and asks if you have questions. I feel secure about the exam even though deciding between lens one or two can sometimes be very difficult for me. He allows his staff to take a major role so he can spend more time with me and examine my needs. You can see the patient nature of Dr nowell and his staff even when its very busy. You can tell that they care about their patients and Im very proud to be a patient myself. The store is beautiful and the optical is huge with designer and off brand frames so everyone can find what they are looking for in the price range they want. Ill be telling everyone to come back.

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Mya Peng

We never going back here again, my family came there for eye examine and was under impression we were cover by our insurance. After half year later send me telling me I owe them money. It seem like they running a funny business just trying to take people in and bull them later. They should be investigated by insurance or other medical regulation departments.The staff I talk to was very unprofessional , I was trying to explain to her on the phone and she was talking to another staff without telling me to hold for a minute.You cant tell people they cover and 6 months later call and collect, not even intention to send a bill out. They are really lack of service and inexperience people working there as well. BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

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Senthil Kumar

This doctor is ridiculous. The office staff had given me false information as they are covered with my insurance network. But when my claim was processed, I was been forced to pay as its not covering in My insurance. Really such a bad experience I never come across any time. Simply they just want to make money. No proper examination, Even during the examination the doctor was not much attentive. He just billed, literally I never got out of the eye problem for which I went for. It happened to one of friend as well. But my bad time I meet him after my examination day. So please be aware.

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Mouguett Lozada

Dr. Nowell is GREAT, but the front office staff needs to have a better understanding of the patients benefits and needs to be more organized. The person that took care of us (forgot her name) was very nice, but was really confused. She is supposed to follow up with me regarding my benefits, but Im still waiting for her phone call. Also, I received around 8 reminders for the appointment(email/text). I reconfirmed the appointment, and I still received reminders.

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