Kodak Lens | Dr. Tavel

I arrived about 20 minutes early and the receptionist was right on the ball. I waited only about 15 minutes before the exam started. The doctor did not introduce herself which I thought was weird but she got through the exam quickly and efficiently. She listened to my concerns and answered all my questions competently. The selection was small but broad for frames that my insurance would cover without any money out of pocket. I found a decent pair very quickly.
The optician I think was a trainee because an older lady was right there with her coaching her through the process. All in all I was very pleased because I got exactly what I needed and was out the door in just over one hour. I also had to pay nothing out of pocket. My only gripe was that the building was a little aged and the carpet was stained with water spots from a leaky roof. It looked like it used to be a Chinese food take away place that went under. Do not go to Ossip unless you enjoy snobby people and paying through the nose.

This was one of my worst eye doctor appointments I’ve ever been to. First, when I came in the office, the receptionist laid out 4 papers for me to sign, two of which didn’t have true signature lines or an explanation of what I was signing for. When I asked what they were, the receptionist just said «oh things for insurance.» When I asked what things for insurance, he waved his hand and said «just stuff so we can bill them.» I decided not to push the issue, but I’m still not sure what I signed for, which is very unprofessional.
Next, even though I had told them on the phone that I was coming in for a contact fitting and had filled that out in three different places on the form, a woman took me to do the eye-​puffing thing while I still had my contacts in. At the last second, she realized I was wearing them and made some comment about how it’s a good thing she noticed… I’d preferred her to have noticed it on my sheet.
The doctor himself was decent and friendly, although I had a sense that I was being hurried through the exam. I had to give him my current prescription for him to work from, even though I’ve never needed to do that at any other eye doctor office. Also, the lights went out during the exam, which probably wasn’t their fault, but again, came off as unprofessional.
After my exam, the receptionists pondered over my insurance. None of them seemed to have any idea how to handle it, even though I have a major carrier. They kept pushing that I had to buy two boxes of contacts right there from them or else I’d lose my benefits. Since I’d just gotten a new prescription, I wanted to try it out for a few days first, and buy the contacts later, but they were adamant that there was no possible way to do that, even though that’s exactly what I’ve done at each eye doctor exam I’ve been to in the past two years with the same insurance. What bugged me most is that one of the receptionists became very condescending and raised her voice. When I asked if I could at least have a copy of my prescription, she said they didn’t give those out to patients, but when the doctor came by, I asked him directly, and he seemed to have no problem giving it to me.
Finally, after I decided to buy the contacts, they didn’t tell me they would only hold them for a week. I was out of town the following week, so when I called and asked them to hold them a little longer, they made it sound like this huge inconvenience that I was causing them even though they hadn’t told me about it in the first place. When I went to pick up the contacts, they were again rude and condescending.
Needless to say, I won’t be returning. I take my eye care seriously and would prefer to work with an office that displays professionalism not only in their doctors but also in their staff. I felt the staff here was rude, condescending, and uneducated about insurance plans. I also felt like I simply wasn’t a priority, even for my limited time with the doctor.
I hate to rate doctor’s offices low because I know how busy they are, but this was one of the worst I’ve been to and I really think there’s no excuse for the way I was treated.

The doctor and receptionists at this location are really friendly and helpful. I was able to walk in without an appointment and get an exam and new contacts in less than an hour. Weekdays after 2 the store gets a little more busy, but still you will be greeted quickly and seen shortly. I feel comfortable with the doctor and she listens when I prattle on about my vision; what I can see, what I can’t see, what I want to see, etc. Another bonus they take my insurance!