Philadelphia Eye Associates

Hippocratic Oath does NOT exist here! Had an apt. today (7÷16÷14) which I wrote in my notes, my manual calendar & my electronic calendar. Called a 2^nd time after making the appointment to reaffirm my appointment & inquire on the cost (my insurance only allows me so much for contacts annually). I was told $ 75.00. Arrived & was told my appoint was for 9÷16÷14. I explained «I would have never have made it, if it was that far in advanced. I confirmed it twice — I’m very detailed, I don’t make mistakes. It must have been you» I asked if they could get me in at their Wills Eye location & yes, i was told «We’re NOT at Wills Eye». I walked out. I went immediately back in & re-​iterated & EMPHASIZED that I believe it was their mistake & I confirmed the appointment twice. I was taken aside & ‘SQUEEZED IN” on 7÷31÷14. I asked the price & was told a much higher price then what was originally confirmed, a new patient price. I’m NOT a new patient and have all the paperwork to prove it. I ripped up the appointment card & told them that even thou I have insurance — this is the exact reason for high medical/​insurance costs. I will NOT allow anyone to overcharge or over bill insurance. I ripped up the appointment slip. When I did that, the woman at the desk (Ms. Morrison) kept saying «Don’t come back here. Don’t ever come in this office again»!!! I answered «I won’t and I’ll make sure not anyone else does either». I am NOT stupid, in a nut shell, they bumped me because I go to Wills Eye for my Primary Eye Care (of which they are aware) and see Phila Eye Associates for contact lenses fittings, ONLY. They are NOT earning big bucks on me and most of their work that they push is in plastic surgery (Facial Botox, check fillers, etc.). Now who in their right mind wants or would be wiling to risk their eye care to Eye Doctor’s that are the biggest pushers of beauty products? Unless your spending big bucks here on plastic surgery, botox — expect to treated with zero respect, and don’t expect any ethics from them either. Yes, I am inquiring with the Attorney General’s Office on the insurance fraud aspects of it all.

The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the office is well-​kept. After following Dr. Gardner’s advice my problem cleared up immediately. I will continue to go to him & recommend him to everyone.

I had a great experience here. I have never met a doctor so thorough as Dr. Gardner. (Allegheny Ave. location) The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the office is well-​kept. After following Dr. Gardner’s advice my problem cleared up immediately. I will continue to go to him & recommend him to everyone.

They are more interested in churning out exams than customer service. The staff is cold and the technician extremely rude. I would never use them again.

EDITED: Looking for a LASIK operation, I contacted Philadelphia Eye Assoc. I originally had a tough time getting through on the phone, but the surgeon himself emailed me his cell phone number and we got everything straightened out. He spent a good half hour on the phone with me apologizing for the communication problem and discussing what I needed. I even got an appointment for the very next day.
The facility has very modern equipment and Dr Blecher is affable and attentive and I’m very confident he’ll perform a flawless procedure.
Further updates post-​op! (If I can afford it, because it’s a LOT)

I have not even gone to this office but had a bad experience on the phone so I wouldn’t consider them. They were close by and seemed like a good option. However, when I called the receptionist asked me if I wanted contacts? Yes, I replied. She said it would be $ 75-​$ 125 out of pocket expense for the contact exam and that I could ONLY make appointments for that on Monday afternoons and the soonest appointment they could give me for that was more than 3 weeks away.
The receptionist was pleasant enough at first, but I was confused about the insurance not covering the contact exam and ended up calling back with questions. It appears this is more a choice by their office than not. (They want the cash instead of the reimbursement?) At this point she got a bit short with me and seemed impatient. Bad experience.
I ended up going to New World Vision (see that review) where the receptionist asked me to come in and in person helped me figure out how I could use my insurance to cover everything the best. They MINIMIZED my out of pocket expense. The doctor was also fantastic. If you live in the area and need contacts, I’d recommend them over Philly Eye Associates.