I did not plan on making trouble for Owl Creek Vision Care in Lander, Wyoming. But the receptionist blasted me with information about my health insurance and the deductible before I had a chance to get used to my surroundings. I called my health insurance before my appointment to find out how much money I would have to pay for an eye exam and they never said anything about a deductible. The receptionist began cram the information down my throat even after I asked her to slow down. I am in my 70's and am somewhat hard of hearing and I walk with a cane. I came well dressed and wearing lipstick to be presentable as I am used to defining it. Ultimately the receptionist walked over to Dr. Roger's wife, the manager, and apparently complained about my loud verbal responses and objection to being charged not only the deductible, but also charging me $5 more for my co-pay than I understood I would have to pay. The manager headed over in my direction and proceeded to tell me about their policies of how people should act in their domain. The customer is always right was not even a possibility. I apologized for the disturbance when she was close to refusing to let me continue on to see the doctor. Because I was seeing double lately I really need to have an eye exam and was willing to go ahead and pay the $117.00 total I would owe them in order to get the exam. I had to listen to five more minutes of principles and admonitions and then told I could see the doctor if I behaved myself, which was inferred and not spoken.
Dr. Rogers was nice enough, determined to uphold the defensive attitude now put in place by his wife. I was polite as well. When the exam was completed, I asked Dr. Rogers if he would be willing to listen to my side of the story about what happened when I came in the door to their business because I felt bad about creating a bad atmosphere. He said flatly "no". I offered my hand for a handshake as a peace offering in spite of his unwillingness to let me explain why I had created a disturbance in their outer office. He reluctantly shook my hand and told me I was a "strange person."
I went to sit at the table where I might purchase some new glasses, but when I recognized that the person who was helping me was already jaded by witnessing the earlier dispute at the reception desk, and that I would not be able to get past her dislike for me, I told her I decided that I would have to go elsewhere to get the glasses. She looked at me with polished disgust as part of the Owl Vision Team who would stick together on whatever judgement the manager silently pronounced to everyone on the team.
So, when a friend picked me up after the appointment, I spent about 10 minutes weeping uncontrollably in the car unable to explain what happened. I felt I had been attacked by all the people I encountered at Owl Vision. read more
