So Many Optometrists But They Can’t See What’s Happening
Bad Behavior, Maine, Medical Office, Reception, USA | Healthy | February 17, 2019
(My family and I have been going to the same optometrist, a family friend who grew up with my father, for as long as I can remember. He finally retires after around 50 years and sells his business to a local chain optometry company. I get one final exam in with my regular optometrist, about five months before he retires, and I run out of contact lenses around two months after he retires. I call up his old office, now owned and operated by the chain and of whom I am now a patient, to order more.)
Me: “Hi. This is [My Name]; I was a patient of [Optometrist]. I’d like to order more contacts.”
Receptionist: “Of course. But before we can order more contacts for you, we’ll need you to come in for an exam.”
Me: “Uh… I’m sorry, why?”
Receptionist: “Your prescription is out of date.”
Me: “I just had my last exam seven or eight months ago. Why do I need another one?”
Receptionist: “Because you are a new patient; the optometrist has to see you before he can order your contacts.”
Me: “Okay… How much is an exam?”
Receptionist: “It will be [amount].”
(My old optometrist charged a little more than half the price that was quoted to me. My vision insurance only covers one exam every twelve months, regardless of who gives the exam, and at the price they quoted me I cannot afford a second exam in less than a year. I explain as much to the receptionist.)
Me: “There’s really no way for the optometrist to order me enough contacts to get me through the last four months before my insurance covers another exam?”
Receptionist: “Let me speak with the optometrist; we might be able to work something out. I’ll have to put you on hold.”
Me: “That’s fine.”
(I am on hold for about 20 minutes, and finally, the line cuts to ringing. A completely different person answers.)
Receptionist
#2 : “Thank you for calling [Chain Optometrist].”
Me: “Oh… I was on hold, waiting for a different receptionist to ask the optometrist a question.”
Receptionist
#2 : “Oh! What was the question, do you know? I might be able to answer it.”
Me: “Whether the optometrist could order me more contacts before I have another exam. I just had one about eight months ago.”
Receptionist
#2 : “That shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t know why the other receptionist needed to ask the optometrist that. May I have your name, please?”
Me: “Sure, I’m [My Name].”