After completing a survey discovered through a WRAL story on meterologist Mike Maze and his experiences/successes at Family Eyecare Center, I promptly received a call that my score on the survey indicated a need for an appointment with Dr. Handschumacher for possible binocular vision dysfunction. Although there was more than a 2-month wait for an appointment, I proceeded and was impressed on my first visit. My conversations with Janel and one other office staffer were positive by phone and in person prior to and during my first appointment. Even though Dr. Handschumacher's evaluation did not result in a diagnosis for binocular vision dysfunction, he wanted me to try different contact lenses from what I was using. I did and found them ineffective; consequently, I called and spoke to Janel before my 2nd appointment, told her the contacts weren't working for me, and explained that I didn't want to come in for a 2nd appointment if they would be charging my specialist copay--I already had an optometrist near my residence and was a satisfied patient of that practice. Janel assured me that there would be no copay charge for follow-up visits for the contacts (acknowledging that I was not being treated for binocular vision dysfunction). She assured me that I would be permitted to come as many times as necessary to get the contacts right and would not have any additional copay charges. Thus, I went to the 2nd appointment; Dr. Handschumacher reiterated that I was not a binocular vision dysfunction patient. He tested other contacts and, in the end, told me to that my contacts I had been using prior to visiting him were the proper prescription. When I went to the counter, I was told my charge for the day would be $85, my specialist copay! Immediately, I told the staff member that Janel told me before I came for the follow-up contacts appt. that there would be no charge. The woman assisting me had me wait to speak to Janel, who came to the counter and informed me that there would be an $85 copay. I reminded her of our previous phone conversation and told her that I definitely would not have come for a 2nd appt. had I been told there would be a charge. Her previously kind demeanor became quickly defensive. She told me--in obvious frustration--that she would take care of it. To no surprise really, over 3 months later, I received a statement dated November 9, 2018, showing a balance due of $85. For starters, I had paid the required $150 to get on their schedule for the binocular vision dysfunction evaluation. I also provided an $85 specialist copay following the first visit. Thus, the $85 I just now paid for the November statement means I paid $320 out of pocket to be told I'm not a binocular vision dysfunction patient. My insurance also has paid this practice. I'm sure Dr. Handschumacher and staff have coded the two visits in a way to meet insurance regulations. While I clearly made a choice to make the initial appointment after the survey results said I may be a candidate for treatment for binocular vision dysfunction, there is an apparent lack of intergrity when it comes to charges for my follow-up visit. It appears that the Mike Maze story and the online survey are being used to get patients into the office for evaluations and subsequent charges. I did not need a new optometrist but trusted Dr. Handschumacher to assist with my treatment based on his binocular vision dysfunction evaluation. My frustration with paying the additional $85 copay is surpassed by my disappointment in the practice's lack of integrity. Beware! read more