Mandel Vision

Review: I received lasik eye correction surgery from Dr. M[redacted] this past February 2015. Prior to even agreeing and paying the $6k amount to do the surgery, I was told that post-surgery I would receive one year of free follow up appointments. I gave the secretary my insurance information and went through with the vision correction. The surgery went great, except for the brief period of time that I got [redacted] as a result. I began my follow up appointments shortly after the surgery. After one of the many follow up visits, I received a large bill of $300+ from Dr. M[redacted] office. I was thoroughly confused, because I was expecting these "follow ups" to be free. To my surprise, I was billed due to Dr. [redacted] prescribing me antibiotics for the [redacted] that he caused me. I went back and forth between my insurance and his secretary, and it seems as if my insurance did not cover vision within my plan. One would have thought that Dr. [redacted] was professional enough to train his staff to check their patients insurance coverage. I was not aware of this situation with my insurance, but it is bad business mangement for them to not check. If I was aware, I would have not gone for my "FREE" follow ups. I am a student and spending over $6k for the surgery was not an easy task, it was purely out of my savings, and spending more for lucris things such as this is beyond my budget.

I told their secretary that I should not be responsible for such charges due to the [redacted] being a complication from the surgery (it was bad). She went on saying that everyone has it, and it so happens that mine came out more around that time. She claimed it was not caused by the surgery, but it totally was.

They have been harassing me with calls saying that I need to go back for my follow up appointments, but I am in fear that if I was to do so, they would just continue to charge me, even after they said it's "free" follow ups.Desired Settlement: I believe they run their business poorly and I would appreciate it if you brought this matter to their attention. I would also be happy if they stopped calling me and dropped the charges.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Mandel Vision regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: I went to [redacted]’s office for a FREE eye examination for Lasik. During my visit, the Dr. informed me that my eyes were dry and that I needed to have something installed into my tear ducts to improve moisture in my eyes. No one in the office explained to me that there was going to be ANY charge of any sort at any time. Had I been informed, I would have promptly refused, as they were not needed in the words of the doctor and were optional. After all it was a free eye exam, and as there was no mention of any cost, I did not expect to be charged for something that was optional or not truly required. I am presently disputing a bill that was submitted by [redacted]’s office for over $600 dollars and for $1,800 to my insurance carrier. They submitted an electronic claim to my carrier at the time, and they deposited funds into my account which I have returned to United Healthcare. They are now threatening to sue me for the funds and have placed me on collections and have damaged my credit report.Desired Settlement: I wish to have them cancel the charge and revoke the claim that they have made with credit agencies. The charge was not authorized, as they did not inform me that there would be any fees for the visit or any procedures. I believe they are driving a deceptive practice and are charging consumers many thousands of dollars and insurance companies defrauding people. Thank you.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Re : [redacted]

Enclosed are precise copies of correspondance from Oxford Health Plans, Patients documented signatures on files of patient responsibility.

It is clearly stated by his insurance, what his personal is, as well as what the insurance paid him, which belongs to [redacted]. The explanation of benefits clearly directs us to bill that amount to the patient to repay us for our services.

In summary, this patient has received services for which he has not paid and in addition received monies from Oxford which is not his to keep + should have been sent to the doctor.

Thank you,