Dr. George Aristotle Markakis, MD

Disappointed with his demeanor, was condescending and made some comments about his position in society being greater than mine. I went to have my eyes looked at, not contemplated for my worth...

Excellent and professional.

He is a fabulous doctor. However, the support staff at the South Euclid location lacked sympathy, understanding, and professionalism. I was told upon my sixth visit that the doctor would not see me because I had an outstanding bill. When they told me the amount I explained that I could not pay that amount at that time. They then asked for half. I again explained I didn't have the money at that time. They then said I could see the doctor if I paid a quarter of the amount. I tried to pay a quarter of it but did not have sufficient funds in my bank account. I was able to pay twenty percent of the amount. They announced to the entire waiting room that my debit card only accepted a portion of my outstanding bill (because that was all that was left in the account). They then asked for a check which I explained wouldn't help because the money was from the same account. Since I've had the same insurance for more than a decade and never had to pay so much as a co-payment (with the exception of… emergency room visits) I questioned what the charge was for. I was then explicitly told that insurance doesn't cover the services rendered. I tried to explain that they always have been in the past. Although I paid literally every cent I had left in my account I was denied service and told I must reschedule and pay at least half upon my return. I stated I would make a payment that week as soon as I got paid. I was away from the office all of ten minutes when I received a call from the office stating that the office manager "decided" I would need to pay in full before the doctor saw me. So, it went from I needed to pay a quarter of the amount to be seen to I needed to pay the entire amount in a matter of 15 minutes. When I received my mail that very day there was a "past due" letter...although I had never been informed of the amount in the first place. The form letter stated that they "understood" that payment is full is not always possible and to please call within two weeks to make payment arrangements to avoid collections. I called the office immediately to ask why I had to pay in full when the form letter stated I could arrange payments. I was told they sent me the letter because my telephone number had been disconnected (which in reality had simply been changed due to a change in provider which I told them about upon my subsequent visit). The office manager then got on the phone and stated that the employee was wrong in stating the things she said and that she apologized for the confusion. We came to the understanding that I would pay the remaining amount over the next two paychecks with the expressed knowledge that I would not receive my optical prescription until it was paid in full...for which I completely understand. At my last appointment I stated that I was ready to order contact lenses. I stated that my insurance covered $75 towards lenses each year (as they had been for numerous years). I was told that most insurance companies don't cover contact lenses...and that my particular insurance did not. I again stated that I knew mine did and the bill should be submitted. I was told that I should double check with the insurance company as they didn't pay for my two visits. I was told that since I couldn't afford the appointments then the contacts would not be ordered until they were paid for in full (although I was able to order contacts without payment two months prior...I merely paid when I picked them up). As the other two support staff snickered in the background at my denial of service I stated I would just take it up with the insurance company. I contacted my insurance company that then assured me that I was correct in knowing the amount covered towards exams and lenses. I asked why my claim was denied (because I assumed it was) when I was told that there was absolutely no claim submitted for the services I was being charged for. As per our payment agreement I went to the office to pay my final payment and pick up my prescription since they refused to order lenses for me. Due to my current financial situation I did pay three dollars of the amount in quarters...but, I still paid. The receptionist that took the amount then looked at me and rolled her eyes upon viewing my 12 quarters. I had one cent coming to me. I told her that it was okay, I didn't need it. I then asked for detailed billing for my account so I could take it up with my insurance company...simply submit bills and be reimbursed for the amount the policy did indeed cover. I was given the run around about receiving it. The ladies "taking care" of me made it obvious that they were uninterested in fulfilling any of my requests from ordered lenses to receiving detailed billing. It wasn't like I was demanding anything...I understand that insurance companies can be a pain in the rear which is why I knew I would just take the payment situation up with them. The receptionists, including the office manager, clearly took my questioning and requests as somehow me stating that they were somehow incompetent in their dealings with insurance companies. When, in reality, I simply wanted an explanation of charges...which I never adequately received. I left the office with my prescription and statement that I had paid...however, it did not provide medical billing codes that I could in turn provide my insurance company. One day after my final payment, I received a letter from the office in the mail with one penny taped to a piece of legal paper stating "Change from contacts". If this weren't some sort of immature "retaliation" for paying three dollars in change then I don't know what is. I have "overpaid" utilities and a variety of other bills in which I rounded up the amount, for whatever reason, and ended up with a small amount credited to my account. Yet, the staff at the South Euclid Cleveland Eye Care Center thought it somehow made sense to spend fo