Texas State Optical

I’ve went to the TSO in Beaumont for many years so it was a no brain-​er to go to this TSO when I moved. The actual visit was fine, other than the doctor attempting to sell me Lasic eye surgery. (Trust me, I would love to get it, but when I say I am 22 and can’t afford it at this time in my life, let it go!) I bought my fist few boxes the insurance covered through the doctor as I always do and that was that. The kicker came when I ran out and needed to purchase more. I always buy my contacts at Walmart and I likely always will. When I called I was immediately put on a long hold, then when I was able to request my prescription they sent my glasses prescription. So I called back and was told they couldn’t release MY contact information, to me, the patient. When I got to Walmart I had to call and request they fax walmart a release form, so we signed it and sent it back, then waited too long before I called them back and got a busy signal multiple times. The «prescription» finally came, only it was my eye chart, not a prescription at all. So once again, I called back to be immediately placed on hold, then when I said I needed my contact prescription, not my eye chart, I was astounded to hear, «You bought contacts through us?» After being told it would take 10 more minutes. I have finally have contacts.

I just called a few minutes ago inquiring and experienced some of the ruddest customer service I’ve experienced over the phone. Surprising considering there are SO many options in Austin to choose from that they would actually allow their phone receptionist to drive away customers via a bad attitude. Hope the rest of their staff don’t mind being represented by a «weak link» in the chain. Can’t comment on the actually services provided — unfortunately I was not motivated to find out.

Two words: INSURANCE FRAUD
Some more words:
Completely inept, rude, fraudulent, and total idiot staff.
They will:
–Be «unable» to verify your insurance (conveniently the day of your appointment, once you have already begun your exam and cannot postpone services until information can be verified)
–Require you to pay out of pocket for fees not covered by said insurance that they «cannot» verify
–Ignore correspondence from said insurance company requiring them to reimburse cash payments for in-​network patients who were covered at time of service and presented valid insurance coverage cards.
–Conveniently loose reimbursement checks in the mail THREE TIMES before finally remitting payment to customer 9 months after initial date of service.
–Attempt to pull the SAME BS the next time you book an appointment.
DO NOT RISK IT HERE

Chaos!!! We were initially trying to visit the TSO in Pflugerville however they do not accept Medicaid. So I called to schedule an appt however they are booked solid for a month or so, but they did say we could come in on stand by, which is good. We had wanted a simple repair done, however after waiting for the «eyes glass professional», he seemed a little rude about me not knowing already they don’t do those types of repairs that a jeweler would have to do them. Almost scoffed at me. How dare I waist his time. They have like 4 – 6 girls sitting in the front desk and it just seems as if they are not informed of whats going on they turned to each other to ask even the simplest of questions and no one knew the answers. We got checked in finally and were seen 10 minutes later again this was good. Exam went great Dr was very professional and answered all our questions.
After the exam we went to look at glasses, we have medicaid and yes you get a free pair of glasses yes they look like they are from the 80’s. They look horrible but I guess they are free but I have seen better looking glasses at other places that accept medicaid. They offer 20 other frames for an additional fee. The girl said here are the frames, these are free, these are 25 dollars and these are 50 then left us I guess because the last time we got glasses they sat down with us had him try on all the frames he wanted to, and we actually felt like we were being taken care of. I’m no baby I don’t need you to hold my hand and walk us to the glasses and put them on for us but really can you act like you care for 5 minutes before you get back to doing nothing. We paid $ 50.00 for a simple metal black frame, similar to what he had before. We paid the lady and were told they will be in in 7 – 10 days. Spectacular!
I called in to check on them and they advised me it wasn’t in the system, I asked what does that mean. She sd that it’s not in the system. (DUH) Anyways after putting me on hold 4 different times to «find out the status» they came back to tell me the lenses didn’t pass inspection and they would be in the following day and they will call me. I couldn’t wait so I called back about 2 pm and after being put on hold for more than 5 minutes she comes back and says hello can I help you? I sd I thought you were already helping me? They she says what did you need? So I went over my question again and she says oh ok yes they are here, they just hadn’t called me yet because… whatever (stupid) reason. I will not be back, I expect better service. I expect for the receptionist and technicians to know what they are doing and to be prompt and courteous. This should be a given. Good luck!

Dr’s are great, contact lens staff is horrible. They are very rude. Especially Kathy. They talk to people like they are stupid. That’s all I have to say!

Good Drs, terrible office management and handling of patients. Over priced frames. Made an appointment days in advance, but had to wait my turn to see the Dr. This is the second time this has happened. Luckily this Time It was only 20 minutes last Time It was an hour after my appointment that I saw the Dr. Also once they had send Out the lenses but forgot to send them out! I waited a month to hear back from them and called to see where my glasses were only to be told it would taken another 3 weeks due to an error. Saw a pair of Raybans I liked, TSO price was $ 40 over same frames on the Rayban website!

Good place. they are effecient and quick. the exam took no time at all, and neither was today’s visit when I got my glasses. they adjusted them quickly and they were ready earlier than we expected. They called in the morning to tell me they were ready. I like this place a lot. My only warning is to not go on a national holiday as they tend to be extremely busy then.

Is there a way to give negative stars?
I ordered contacts 3 weeks ago today, and I had received no call. So I decided to call them to see if my contacts were in. As soon as they pick the phone up they put me on hold. They guy who answered was terribly rude, and I didn’t understand how they could be so unorganized. I was on hold for 3 minutes, and then he asked for my name. About another minute passes by and he asks me for my name again. I was speechless how much incompetence this man possessed. He gets back on the phone and tells me that my contacts are not in. I was furious and I asked him if it was possible to cancel my order and get my money back and order elsewhere, and then they magically found my contacts. I was stunned. I told him that it was extremely irresponsible for them to be that unorganized, and for them to not call me when my order was in. He was rude and trying to argue back when he had no reason to argue back because he works there and should be in charge that the customers get their merchandise. I have a right to be angry and argue for my money and contacts. WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK HERE. IF I HAVE TO BECAUSE OF MY INSURANCE I WILL RATHER GO BLIND. HORRIBLE SERVICE.

I took my nephew in for his very first eye exam (I have worn eyeglasses for over 15 years now). We had an appt for 9:30 am. We got there at 9:15 am and were called back to the examination room at 9:37 am — not bad. Eye exam and frame selection took about 35 minutes and we were out the door. Nephew’s new glasses came in a week later. Receptionists were nice as well as the optometrists
The reason I docked one star: TSO did not call as promised to notify us that the glasses had arrived. I had to call to check. Not a huge biggie for me but for others, it may be.

The people at this place were very rude and went against their own policy. They say they take walkins. I called at 10 and asked if that was true she said yes but they stop at 4. I got there at 12. They said no they could not take me because there were too many people already. What?! I said I just called and took off early to come and do this. They were so apathetic I can’t even describe. VSP should think about taking their insurance from these people. I am going to write VSP and direct them to this site so they can see they are taking advantage of their insurance and treating people poorly. Not going back here ever. I used them 2 years ago and there were several people complaining about them at the desk and I should have listened.

This place is terrible. My father is disabled and on medicare and medicaid. I made him an appointment and gave the woman I spoke with all of the information she asked for regarding his insurance. I was told not to worry that insurance would cover it. We got there and gave them my fathers insurance cards. They signed him in, verified his insurance, and said everything was fine. My father went through the exam. Afterward they told us that not only were his glasses not going to be covered, but there was a $ 25 charge for his prescription if he got his glasses somewhere else. His glasses would be a minimum of $ 200. Furthermore, if my father didn’t pay the copay, they would not release his prescription. Since they were going to bill medicare, he would also not be able to get another exam paid for elsewhere. This place is shady. If you go there do not trust anything Gabby tells you.

SLOW SLOW SLOW. I brought my kid here and after the eye exam, they made us wait two and a half hours for the doctor to review the results just to be told «The results are good, no need for glasses». I hate them for this. I really hate them. Such a fun way to spend my weekend.

OY VEY when I think of this place I get a headache!
I agreed with Jayna C.‘s review… until it came time to pick up my glasses. I’m wondering if maybe she had the same experience and that’s why the review isn’t updated, haha. I expected the staff to be exasperated and snippy but they were efficient, courteous, and kind.
When I received no call about my glasses ordered THREE WEEKS PRIOR, i stopped in and asked about them. I was sent to «Rene» (a moustached man who believed himself to be a suave and sexy guy) who asked my name, then went in search of «my file» that he couldn’t find. I watched (and listened) to him go into two different offices with female occupants. I listened while he chatted with them, both obviously bored with him. After 5 minutes, he would ask about my file, then chat for a while more, and move on. At one point he disappeared into the back for about 15 minutes so I can only assume there were more offices I couldn’t see. When he came out he had the file, and called and said that it would be another day or two. I thanked him and left.
1 week later I am about to leave out of town. The pair of contacts they gave me to get through the waiting period for my glasses are hurting my eyes. I call and ask about the status of my glasses. Rene is put on the phone to deal with me. Our conversation highlights:
«Ma’am, your glasses were sent to us but they were incorrectly filled, so I had to send them back.»
«Why wasn’t I called and told?»
«I don’t know. I’m sorry.»
«That’s upsetting. Well when they come in I may be out of town. On my sign in form I listed the people who were authorized to pick up my glasses. Can I send that person?»
«I don’t know. We can’t find your paperwork.»
«You can’t find my paperwork?»
«No ma’am.»
«You mean my medical records? You can’t find them?»
«No, we can’t.»
«So someone could have walked out with my medical records and you’d have no idea?»
«No one walked out with your records.»
«How do you know?»
«…»
Needless to say, I had my glasses picked up. I tried to call and fill a perscription for contacts and they couldn’t find my paperwork again. I will be going back to take my paperwork away from them, as they can’t seem to keep track of it. If you care about your privacy at all I recommend staying away from this place.

These guys took great care of me. I’m a contact lenses wearer and only wear glasses at night and early in the morning for a limited time. I demolished my ten year old glasses for good last night which is somewhat dangerous since I cannot see a foot in front of me and have a toddler. Best case scenario, I get an eye infection and can’t wear contacts. This happened last February and have meant to upgrade my glasses ever since. So TSO: I came to them by accident today when the first place I went to, the one who supplied me with my last pair ten years ago, suddenly advised me halfway through the process that they no longer take any insurance of any kind. This, only because I brought it up. At this point it was 4:30 and I was freaking out. I ran over to TSO and was instantly helped by the kindest woman who took the time to explain to me their process and my cheapest frame options. She then compared my out of pocket expenses to insurance expenses without skipping a beat. I arrived at this place at 4:45 and was out the door, fully informed about payment options, check paid, and glasses ordered by 5:05. This, while there were at minimum 25 people in the place. As I people watched, I witnessed the same personal care that I was receiving and let me tell you, this is a poor, poor, poor, low SES clientele. This is the most caring and awesome staff I have come across. I’m a fan.
I will try to update once the entire process is complete. I just ordered my glasses today.