CHA Eye Center, Somerville Campus
236 Highland Ave,
Somerville, MA

TL;DR : Do not go here for routine vision appointments! They will charge you as though you received emergency hospital care. I have never written a poor review of a medical provider before, but unfortunately this feels like the final resort. I am lucky to have vision insurance that gives me a no-cost routine vision check-up on an annual basis. However, after going to the CHA Eye Center for a routine vision appointment in February 2023, I was charged $180 in "hospital services." After hours spent on the phone with CHA billing, they still cannot or will not fix this mistake, asserting that because the Eye Center is physically located in a hospital, they can bill separately for hospital charges. They refused to re-code the bill and it seems that I will be forced to pay $180 for routine vision care that insurance would cover if it were coded differently. I previously had nothing but wonderful things to say about the CHA network overall, but this experience has been deeply disappointing and frustrating.

This place is the worst ever. I had to wait months for an appointment and I arrive on time at 10:15 to find a full waiting room. I'm immediately am told ( by a receptionist who takes a private cell phone call while I'm waiting) that the wait will be at least a half hour. Believe me, prior experience tells me it will be a lot longer. How horrible to go through this time and time again ... so disrespectful. I cancelled and made another appointment but who knows if I'll ever come back.

I went to CHA Eye Center at the advice of my primary care doctor. I arrived late but the staff were courteous and accommodating. The assistants and doctors were warm and friendly and took the time to explain my diagnosis and treatment plan. I will be back!