Stokes Regional Eye Center

For a place that is supposed to provide «care» to people, this practice is a total fail. I contacted this office after a recommendation from the doctor who performed my yearly eye exam. After a somewhat lengthy process, which included providing them with every detail of my medical and insurance information, I was finally allowed to make an appointment.
From the moment I walked into the office, the experience was chaotic and unpleasant. The people at the front desk were either rude, poorly trained or indifferent. These are not qualities you want to find in people who are going to have access to your medical care. From the minute I checked in, they actually tried to sell me additional services. This is before I was anywhere near seeing a doctor.
I had explained my insurance (which is excellent) to them when I made the appointment. Upon arrival, it seemed as if these conversations had never taken place. All they seemed to be able to do is quote how they «do things here.» It was completely frustrating.
I used my phone to dial up United Healthcare (my provider) to resolve the matter and the office staff here actually refused to speak to them saying «we do not have time to talk to insurance companies.» This was in direct opposition to what my insurance company asked them to do.
I realize that in this location, we are not dealing with the quality of provider services that you find at Duke or Kaiser or even Carolinas Medical Center. However, I think is is reasonable to expect for the first point-​of contact in a medical office to be competent and courteous. I found neither here.
The end result at this practice was that I did not see a doctor. The difficulty of the front office staff made it impossible. I will add that I was able to walk across the street to McLeod Medical and get a same-​day appointment there with no issues whatsoever. That is what I would recommend to anyone as an option to dealing with this nightmare of a front-​office staff.