I don’t like feeling like I’m at a place that’s trying to make me pay for things I don’t need. They also need to update their scheduling process and patient intake to not waste peoples time. First I booked my appointment through their online portal, two days before my appointment they called and said there was a bug with the booking system and that slot is actually not available. I needed an appointment 3 weeks later at a time slot that barely works. I get there and it’s a surprise I need contact lens fitting. Might be worth asking on patient intake, or maybe read the notes I put on the appointment I requested where I said I was looking at contacts or maybe my patient history? This has happened each time I booked an appointment with them. Their google hours also said they close at 1, which was when my appointment was. Might want to update those.
They’ll also require you to spend money for retinal imaging you may or may not need, but you don’t have an option to opt out. I’ve had the imaging for 15+ years and I have no precursors and my results are always absolutely clear. They require this imaging done every other year. I coughed up the money 13 months ago at my last appointment and again had nothing remarkable in my results. Now that I booked my appointment months after the imaging instead of 12 months, I need the test again and pay the nearly $50. 12 months, no test. But somehow if it’s an extra 30 days I must all of a sudden have some diabetic retinopathy risks and need to spend the extra money. The doctor didn’t even see me, so at that point it’s not about me, my health, or the risks, it’s about the money.
My 2 cents, for what they’re worth, if the online scheduling doesn’t work: make the page say “this is currently unavailable, please call our office.” It would save a world of headache and maybe I’d have gotten my appointment in time to not need the additional imaging. And while I’m no doctor, if the doctor says I need X-rays of my arm, but I didn’t come in with any issues about my arm and any preventative measure the X-ray might reveal doesn’t justify the cost, then don’t require it or at least be able to waive it. Again, they need some updating on their systems and policy, otherwise they’re not there for your health, they just want your money with whatever means is convenient for them and not you.
Additionally, after further research, it appears this practice is in violation of Washington's 'Consumer Access to Vision Care Act" 18.195.010 (1) (b) which states "No provider shall... Condition the availability of an eye examination or prescription, or both, to a patient on a requirement that the patient agree to purchase ophthalmic goods from the prescriber or a dispenser approved by the prescriber." As such, I will take this practice up with the Washington State Department of Health and Board of Optometry for limiting patient access to vision care. The retinal camera is not a requirement for contact lens or glasses fitting and requiring payment for it is a limiting factor to access to vision care.
None of this is to say no one should get this preventative option for ocular health, but a patient has the right to decide to some degree.
