Choate Eye Associates

Reviews 4

KR

Kristi Holancin

If you have something weird going on with your eyes, then it might be a good choice for eye doctor because they are very thorough. If you just go to the eye doctor because you are out of contacts, this is NOT the place to go! The appointments are RIDICULOUSLY long, you are shuffled around from room to room doing all these tests (which arent covered by insurance, but you are not informed this or given the option to refuse...and forced to pay for them at the end of your session). If the doctor makes ANY changes to your contacts, you are charged a $180 "contact fitting fee" which will "cover any return appointments you may need regarding your contacts" and you have to come back every 2 weeks (for more long appointments). This fee is outrageous, and all the other private eye doctors in the area offer the same thing for $60. They also "force" you to order contacts from them, because they bill your insurance for the contacts on your first visit. So by the time you are at your 2nd or 3rd appointment for the fitting, and decide on which contacts are the right ones, its too late. You cant use 1800 contacts/walmart/sams because your insurance has already been processed. They will say the prices are "comparable" but they were almost double the price of the ones I ordered. Dr. Choates "bedside" manor is also a bit harsh (although I had a good experience with Dr. Goldsmith). When I brought up my concerns with the billing and how my insurance EOB didnt match what I was being charged, Dr. Choate refused to discuss the "business" side of matters. His office manger refused to discuss any procedures Dr. Choate billed, so complaining gets you nowhere. For a routine annual exam, and contacts (4 boxes) I was charged $350 AFTER BCBS INSURANCE!!!!! Oh and dont call with concerns between your 2 week follow up appointments because I was just told to put the uncomfortable contact back in my eye for the rest of the time to see if I could "get used to it". I have worn contacts for over 20 years. I think I know when one isnt a good fit!!! When we finally got proper fitting contacts in my eyes (which surprise surprise were the same contacts I was wearing prior to wasting the $180 on the contact fitting) I called to tell them they were good and I just wanted to order them and move on with my life - they REFUSED to order them until I returned to the office. So they held my contacts ransom and forced another visit. Overall it was an expensive, time consuming, aggravating, annoying experience and I will not be returning to this facility.

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L

L Knox

Liked the doctors. I saw Dr. Choate and the new doctor from PA. Office staff was very friendly and helpful. Very thorough. Just a very nice office and staff overall. However, my insurance doesnt cover contacts, which I was ready to pay for because I desperately need/want them, but there were tests associated with the testing required for contacts wearers and follow-up visit fees that I was not prepared to pay. I assumed that the whole appointment would be filed under insurance (with maybe a little overage for me to pay) and I would buy whatever glasses/contacts I need out of pocket. I did sign the "disclaimer for contact lense wearers" saying that there was more intensive testing involved, but assumed that would, again, be filed under my insurance. I was shocked at the $585 bill at the end. I didnt pay much more than that to have my last child at Vanderbilt. Is anyone else out there prepared to pay this kind of money at the eye doctor? Im so confused. Does every contact wearer in this practice have to take out a loan to get contacts? I am not sure why I need to drag 2 children back for a follow up visit and pay $168 for it in advance. If the contacts arent working for me, maybe, but if everything is peachy then why do I need to come back and pay for it beforehand? I left without buying contacts or glasses, am out the $280 that I had to pay that day and have to return in two weeks to see how "everything is going" and beg for my prescription so I can buy contacts online where they are less than $70 a box! I have had a few sleepless nights over this and know I should have asked for an itemized bill beforehand, but holy smokes, I was railroaded with the expenses and am not sure how the practice has any contact lense patients left. Do other insurance companies cover these quirky contact lense expenses? I hate, hate to sound negative and never write bad reviews, but I am still flabbergasted a week later. I will not return because I dont want to pay this out of pocket every year. I have polled everyone I know that wears contacts and none of them have ever heard of paying for any of this at their eye doctor. Chalk it up to not doing my homework, but this will never happen again!!

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KI

Kitty White

This was my third visit to this particular practice and probably my last unless they hire another doctor. My first two visits were with Dr. Choates partner and I loved her. I made a recent appointment and was disappointed to find out shed left (wonder why?). So, I ended up seeing Dr. Choate. He was rude, curt, above reproach, and made me feel like I was an annoyance in his schedule. He appeared rude with the staff, barking out orders, which may have explained why everyone seemed reserved. I do like the staff and have had wonderful experiences with all Ive had dealings with. Him, not so much. Because I felt like I was bothering him, questions I would have like to have asked regarding my condition went unasked. I dont doubt he is good in his field, but Id like a medical opinion please and then the freedom to CHOOSE what I want to do. I dont like being bullied into $900 glasses. I admit, visits to that office are lengthy and very thorough. Ive always had the freedom to ask questions of the staff and they seemed pleased to answer them. Selecting eyeglasses were not much of a problem. I told the optician "cheap" and she complied and NEVER judged. Thank you. I get that some of us have eye conditions that "cheap" cant support any more, but for heavens sake, give me my options and let me choose. Shame on Dr. Choate. I still have to go pick up my glasses; that Im looking forward to. When it comes time for my next annual exam, if they havent hired a replacement for the doctor that left, Im looking (pun intended) elsewhere. Really? Dont be rude to me. Treat me with respect and dont forget...I am the patient and I am choosing your services. Dont piss me off.

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BR

Brittany Ingram

Amazing office!! From the very start a wonderful experience. When I called to make my appointment, the front desk associate, forgive me I cannot remember her name, was very cheerful and helpful in offering a few different time slots for my schedule. I was able to download paperwork from the website and do it at home, before my appointment also. First impression of the office walking in...WOW. It is beautiful and very clean. The ladies up front were very sweet and friendly. All of the ladies there are wonderful and can I say friendly again because they were. Everyone has a wonderful personality and made me feel so welcome! They are quite a bit of equipment, however, the young lady starting my exam explained everything to me make me feel very comfortable. Oh and major plus...they do NOT puff air in the eyes, gosh I hate that test. I saw both Drs. actually, Dr. Van Dell began my full exam and she was lovely. I have never had a more in-depth exam, they truly care about the health of your eyes and educating. So kind and answered all my questions without making me feel like a bother. Dr. Choate took the time to come in and introduce himself and wanted to make sure I was being taken care of ( in a joking manner) He was very nice and I thought it showed his love of people and his profession to do that. Now for the glasses, holy cow, they have an amazing selection. So many frames, but the ladies that work in that section made it so easy. They were so honest letting me know which frame size looks the best and they didnt pressure me at all. Over all I loved it here and will definitely be back!!! If you want the best experience come here, from beginning to end simply amazing.

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