I need to get a refill on contacts and I now drive there because I get nowhere on their phone system

Extremely unhappy ONETIME customer. Having recently moved to the area, I needed a new eye doctor and this practice was recommended to me. I made my initial appointment and when I arrived, I VERY EXPLICITLY explained to the front desk that I don't have vision insurance - but rather, that I have to submit my itemized bill, MYSELF, to my health insurance to receive my reimbursement of $85. They tell me, ok, and that they will bill me as though I do not have insurance. Great - that is very nice of you. BECAUSE AFTER ALL, I DON'T TECHNICALLY HAVE VISION INSURANCE. They still ask for my insurance card for on record. (In retrospect, I NEVER SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THIS TO THEM!) Anyway, so I get my “exam” (Which is itself a complete racket: I was shuffled to 3 different people: only one actually did much of anything, [checked my prescription with the lenses,] one only "talked” to me for a minute, trying to talk me into getting dilation (which I thankfully refused, as you will see later with the pricing this place charges,) and another, "contact lens specialist" who completely disregarded my request to continue using my current brand of contacts and pushed a sample of another brand which I tried to wear for about 3 hours and had to throw out. I needed to then call back to order the correct brand and waited on hold for about 20 minutes until i finally got to her voicemail and proceeded to play phone tag for the next 2 days. Complete waste of my time). After my exam, I checked out and I received an itemized bill with the following line items: * CL Ev/Dr Aphakic - Both Eyes (Contact lens evaluation) - $49 * NP Comprehensive Exam - $280 (Can hardly call it comprehensive when you are charging me for other things now can ya?) * Refraction (Basically finding my prescription) - $75 There were 2 items in the adjustment column: Prompt Pay Discount = $20 Adjustment of $125.61 off of the "Comprehensive Exam" I was told that the $125.61 adjustment was off of the normal price of the exam because I did not have insurance. So I left paying an absolutely absurd amount of money $258.39 for my exam (especially absurd considering I really had no issues, and I brought my current boxes of contacts with the prescription on them so they had a starting point.) I chalked it up as my fault for my lack of proper research beforehand. I left under the impression that I had PAID IN FULL and that I needed to go home to submit my own reimbursement. AGAIN, I was VERY clear and explicit when explaining my situation. I did not expect them to know verbatim all types of insurance coverages, let alone know my personal situation. I came prepared, knew the details of my health insurance plan, and was very clear in what I needed. WELL…THAT WAS NOT THE TRUTH!!!! I recently received an additional bill for $40.61. I called them to try to straighten the situation out. It was explained to me that THEY submitted the insurance claim for me. So, when they received my $85 reimbursement, they subtracted the $85 from the $125.61. Now, remember, I was told that the $125.61 was a discount because I didn’t have insurance. I told them that and was told that they were not supposed to do that - that the $125.61 is an ESTIMATE that their system automatically makes predicting what the insurance will pay for and that it is further adjusted based off of what the insurance actually ends up paying. It is NOT a discount to me because of not having vision insurance. NOT ONLY WAS INITIALLY LIED TO, BUT THEY THEN REFUSED TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE AND ARE MAKING ME PAY THE ADDITIONAL $40.61!!! I left thinking that I had paid $258.39 and that I was going to receive an $85 reimbursement. Now, instead of paying $173.39 (still an absurd amount of $$) I am on the hook for a total of $299!!!! Please note that this did not cover any additional costs for contact lens, or glasses! Please also note that HAD THIS BEEN PROPERLY EXPLAINED TO ME IN THE BEGINNING, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM PAYING FOR THIS! I made the appointment and received the services. And although I think the amount of money they are charging is criminal, I personally realize that I should have done more research. I just would have grimaced, paid it and found another eye doctor. BUT TO BE MISLED, MISINFORMED, AND THEN ON THE HOOK FOR THEIR MISTAKE IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!! (Mistake is putting it nicely - I was LIED to.) I want to inform everyone I can. There is absolutely NO excuse for this misunderstanding on their part. I was VERY CLEAR that they were not to submit ANYthing to ANYone. I would NEVER recommend this practice to ANYone!!!!!!

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fine

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I took my kids for an eye exam at the Thomas Eye Group when they were babies several years ago and had a great experience. It didn't even occur to me that they did adult care as well at the time. I went to a different eye clinic in Marietta for several years. Although I was happy with my doctor at that clinic, it was without a doubt one of the poorest run practices of any medical specialty I had ever been to. The wait times were absolutely insane. Never less than a half hour at best and 3 - yes 3 hours at worst. I typically waited an hour and a half to be seen, only to sit in the room for another 20-30 minutes before I was actually seen. With work, I just couldn't afford the time anymore or take up so much of a day off to go there. They also had their spectrometer machine for mapping the cornea right out in the patient waiting area - HIPAA Laws anyone? I asked a friend where his family went and he said his whole family goes to Thomas Eye Group. I remembered our experience with our kids and made an appointment. I will not look back. This place is clean, well run, professional and they don't pile appointments on top of each other. I have had 3 appointments and not waited longer than 15 minutes. Once called back, they don't just leave you in a room for another half hour either. Someone comes in within a few minutes and the appointment begins. I have a degenerative eye condition that makes it very difficult to fit me for contacts. I am still working with Dr. Singh to find the right contact that gives the best balance between comfort and vision acuity. He has been great and is extremely thorough, listens to all of my concerns and never makes me feel like there is a rush to move me along. We have also brought our kids back to see Dr. Berland who is terrific as well. It is so difficult to find a place that still believes in customer service - this place is a gem.

It's good service with quick appointments.

After relocating from NC to GA we were in need of a new eye doctor and Thomas Eye Group seemed promising.  In late summer 2014, I made an appointment for October 2014 for my son (who has worn glasses since he was 14 months old) and for a routine check up for my daughter.  These appointments were made over a month prior to the visit as that was as soon as they could get us scheduled because we were new patients.  I filled out all necessary paperwork on line in advance and arrived 10 minutes early for the appointment.  Upon arrival (my self and my 4 children ages 6 and under) waited in the lobby for about 5 minutes before we were acknowledged and then we were rather abrasively told to use the kiosks to check in (forgive me for not intuitively knowing that).  After completing the check in process we waited in the waiting room for almost an hour (I was informed by others in the waiting room that this type of wait was customary). After we were called back, all personnel were friendly and accommodating and both children were seen simultaneously for all parts of the exam, however, there were more extended wait times in various rooms and waiting areas.  During my son's portion of the exam Dr. Jerry Berland said that he wanted my son to return in 6 months for a follow up.  I questioned that recommendation as our previous doctor saw our son yearly and there had been very little change in his vision since he was originally diagnosed but Dr. Berland assured me that it was routine and he just wanted to establish a "base line" for his vision changes since he was a new patient (or something like that).  I told him that since he was the doctor I would trust his judgement and we proceeded to check out where I paid 2, $10 co pays as stated by our  VSP insurance records and as I was accustomed to  paying at all other vision appointments.  This completed an almost 3 hour trip to the eye doctor.  On March 30, 2015 we returned to Thomas Eye Group for the follow up appointment for my son and for a routine check up for myself.  As a new patient I filled out all necessary paperwork on line in advance and we arrived about 9am approximately 15 minutes early for our appointment.  I proceeded directly to the kiosk where I began check in.  When prompted to scan my insurance card, I inquired with the lady behind the desk as to how to proceed since VSP does not issue physical cards and she advised that I select the "I do not have my card" option which I did. We proceeded to the waiting room where we were called back almost immediately. All personnel were again friendly and accommodating. Over the course of the next 2+ hours we bounced around between various rooms and waiting areas until finally both my son's exam and mine were complete.  When we arrived at check out I was asked if I knew what my co pay was "since there was no card scanned on file" and I stated that VSP does not issue us a card but I had printed up the electronic card which I proceeded to hand to her. She then asked for my medical insurance card which I presented.  I was then informed that my co pay would be $10 and my son's would be $45.  I immediately questioned that as I have never paid a $45 co pay at the eye doctor before and was informed that this was considered a "medical visit" for my son.  That seemed odd to me as the exam was essentially the same as the last "vision" exam but less extensive (the doctor was in the room for all of about 3 minutes) and she told my that VSP would only pay for one "vision" visit per 12 months so this had to be considered "medical" for it to be covered.  When I asked why I was not advised in advance as to the difference in "visit type" the lady simply asserted that it was my responsibility to educate myself about medical billing/insurance coverage issues (not a direct quote). When formulating your own opinion please go to their website and review the Thomas Eye groups "mission statement"  so  you can determine for yourself if our experience is indicative of their declared beliefs put to practice.

Great facility. We would highly recommend this eye group.

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Great office.  Pleasant to visit there, professional staff.

Have been a patient of Dr. Berman's of the Thomas Eye Group for over 10 years. Always a  very positive experience!

I got Thomas Eye Group off of Angie's List. I called and made an appointment for him and they booked the appointment like two weeks out, which I can understand that being a new patient, so two weeks isn't outrageous for a new patient appointment. When he was on the phone with them, the day we made the appointment, they got his name, phone number, address, insurance, group number and member number, and all the details. When he gets there for his appointment that day they had no record of him. They had a David down at 9:30, the time of his appointment, but the last name was so butchered and so far off from our last name that they wasn't going to accept that it was his appointment. Finally he said, "There's not another David showing up. I'm the 9:30 David," and it turned out that all of the information that he gave they don't even accept our insurance. They had no record of any of the information that he gave them. They didn't verify and they didn't call us back and say your insurance isn't accepted. It was just like he was put in the system and then blown off totally. He didn't get past the receptionist. He said the receptionist in the office was very rude and very abrupt and not helpful at all.

It went very well.

The examination was thorough. I have good health insurance and expected that my visit would be covered. When I was sent to the "Eyeglass and contact" person, I was charged for a contact fitting. I have been elsewhere and was not charged for this but I just went along with it. 
The contacts I received in the mail were incorrect so I had to return them and get new ones.  The wait time for the examination was very long. My family member goes to this practice and the wait time is always terrible! It seems that this office overbooks and does not have any regard for their patient's time. It is consistently this way, every time!
I think the doctor's know their stuff but the above mentioned issues exist. I would cautiously recommend this practice. I would warn prospective patients to expect these horrible waits.I would also tell people that this office charges for things that other offices do not , like "contact lens fittings".

Overall our experience with them has been great.
1. Office is very clean2. There is a kids tv room in the waiting area, which my son loves.3. Nurses are very friendly and great with young children4. The Dr is professional and knowledgeable and explains everything.

Overall, I would rate him very highly.  I liked him very much

As a result of my move to Towne Lake, I found Dr. Berman and his staff. My eye exam, including glaucoma testing, was thorough. I can see much better with the lenses he prescribed. Dr. Berman took sufficient time to answer my questions and address my concerns. My husband was pleased with his experience with Dr. Berman as well. All of the staff we encountered were knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and helpful. The office looks new and the equipment looks good. I would recommend Dr. Berman to anyone seeking an ophthalmologist.

Okay at best. The doctor was very late and he put both my wife and me in the same examining room - 2 for the price of 1 (for him)! Also my wife has an eye problem and the advise and care from the doctor was "you're not by yourself" meaning just live with it.

My interaction with him was excellent. He works out of the Sandy Springs office. It is really nice and is up on the 4th floor. His staff is very personable. I would tell others that he is an expert in retina issues and that he is very personable. He will take the time to understand what is going on. He is very good at what he does and I would highly recommend him to anyone that had any kind of problem with their retina. I continue using him, not only because of his bedside manner, but also because of the stories that some of his other patients has said on the website. They have been cute and also a lady sent in a little video about how wonderful he is. I haven’t had a problem with the billing and administration. There are 20 doctors in his practice.

I used Thomas Eye Group for several years. They were located near my office and the only reason I don't continue to see them is because I no longer work near them. The only negative I would note is that they never recommended I try newer versions of my contact lenses. The older version worked fine, but the newer lenses I use now are more comfortable.