Dr. Heimmel is a board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon at Eye Care Specialists who has performed over 30,000 vision-correction procedures since 2006. Certified in LASIK and LenSx cataract surgery, he is well known as a specialist in laser eye surgery and intraocular lens treatments, and believes that each patient is unique and deserves time to discuss their treatment goals and needs.
Credentials
Education & Training
Rutgers University
BA/MD Program, graduated with high honors
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Residency
Awards & Recognition
Top Ophthalmologists in America
Compassionate Doctor Award
Patient's Choice Award
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
NJ Top Docs
New York Magazine Top Doctors
What patients say
Reviews & ratings
Patient Reviews
No reviews yetReviews for Dr. Mark R. Heimmel, MD
★★★★★4.730 reviewsGoogle reviews from the "Dr. Mark R. Heimmel, MD" Google Business Profile. Reviews describe the practice and may mention other providers at this location.View all Google reviews at this practice
My experience at this office left me feeling like patient care was not the primary focus. During my visits, I rarely interacted with a Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) to help guide my care. Additionally, the imaginary policy (that front desk kept making up) here requires a physical visit every three months just to get a prescription refilled, which felt unnecessary for my situation. The overall approach felt more like a subscription-based revenue model than a practice centered on the patient experience. For those looking for a practice that seems to prioritize patient care over recurring appointments, I would suggest looking somewhere else.
The office staff offers poor service, dealing with Afina in particular is extremely stressful. She does not want to relay messages to the doctor and she also does not follow through on concerns with your overall care ! This has happened on more than one occasion which now has led me from initially giving a positive rating to now rating with an extremely poor experience.
I always had high regards for this doctor until recently. His billing manager, Rose, has no understanding of the use of primary and secondary insurance and how to bill. She refused to bill my secondary insurance carrier, that the.practice accepts and is contracted to bill.on behalf of the.patient. The primary and secondary insurance carriers contacted this office and they still refuse to bill my secondary insurance. Rose is making the assumption the secondary will not pay for services. She was told by the secondary insurance that is not her right to assume a denial would hapoen. This practice is probably looking to receive more money from the patient then what the secondary insurance will pay out. Every doctor I go to bills my secondary and I have no cost, including a copay. I am shocked Dr. Heimmel allow this to take place in his practice. I was also informed I needed cataract surgery and was not given a fee. I went for another opinion from a reputable glaucoma specialist. He was surprised I was diagnosed with.glaucoma by Dr. Heimmel, because I dont have it. Another specialist confirmed that also. I do need a minor laser procedure but not cataract surgery. Back to insurance, the glaucoma specialists office billed both insurance carriers and received monies from both. Please be aware when dealing with this practice their lack of knowledge of insurance billing. Cataracts?????
Extremely disappointing experience, worst ever. Both times I saw this ophthalmologist for my wife, the visit felt rushed — he came into the room and seemed eager to leave within just a couple of minutes, without taking the time to thoroughly evaluate my condition or address my concerns. She was initially being treated for a stye, her medication was changed from amoxicillin to ciprofloxacin by him. The gland was then punctured, after which her condition worsened significantly. The infection spread around her eye, ultimately requiring an ER visit and a 5-day hospital admission. What was most concerning was the lack of follow-up and accessibility afterward. I made multiple attempts to reach the doctor by phone and left several messages, but I never received a callback during a critical time when I needed medical guidance. This was one of the most frustrating healthcare experiences I have ever had. I expected better communication, care, and accountability from a specialist.
Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you felt your experience did not meet your expectations. My practice is committed to providing compassionate, attentive care, and I take concerns about communication and patient experience very seriously. Because I respect patient privacy, I cannot discuss the details of any individual's medical care in a public forum. However, I understand how stressful it can be when a medical condition changes unexpectedly. I value feedback as an opportunity to improve. I encourage you to contact my office directly so I can better understand your concerns and address any outstanding questions. My goal is always to provide responsive, high-quality care to every patient.I was a patient of Dr. Heimmel for a few years until I recently was informed that I needed cataract surgery. I was set up to schedule surgery with Rosa who does the scheduling process. I am a senior citizen with excellent medical coverage and have a primary & secondary medical coverage. Rosa only gave me 2 options that were out of pocket expenses and never mentioned anything about my insurance provider coverage. She pointed to the most expensive option for out of pocket surgery. I was given info to finance this surgery, 8k or 4k, for both eye surgeries depending upon the lenses chosen for the cataracts. Perhaps there is a commission involved with this finance company when patients who apply are approved with the loan. I was told to make payment in a week's time. When I brought this to the attention of Dr. Heimmel, he "advised" me to get a second opinion which I will. I will also opt for a practice that will use my insurance provider rather than paying out of pocket. I definitely would seek the services of another opthalmologist. UPDATE: had a second opinion for cataract surgery and NOT NEEDED! Make sure you get a second opinion if you go to the office of Dr. Heimmel!
Response from the ownerThank you for sharing your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. Because I respect patient privacy, I cannot comment on the details of any individual's care or treatment recommendations in a public forum. Recommendations regarding cataract surgery and lens options are based on a patient's clinical findings, visual needs, and goals. Patients are always informed of their available options, including those that are covered by insurance as well as elective premium options to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. My practice utilizes the highest level of technology and offers a lowest price guarantee for all forms of vision correction. I also believe that patients should feel comfortable seeking a second opinion, particularly when considering surgery, and I support that decision whenever a patient desires additional reassurance. If there are aspects of your experience that could have been communicated more clearly, I appreciate the feedback and remain committed to providing thorough, patient-centered care.Excellent care by Dr. Heimmel and his wonderful staff. Patient, professional, and efficient. Laser surgery went great.
Response from the ownerThank you Jody for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. I truly appreciate your trust in me and my team. I'm glad to hear your laser surgery went well and that you felt well cared for throughout the process. Wishing you continued good health, and thank you for allowing us to be part of your care.He is compassionate, smart and not an alarmist.
Response from the ownerThank you for your thoughtful review. I truly appreciate your kind words. It means a great deal to know you felt cared for and confident in your treatment. My goal is always to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care while taking the time to address each patient's concerns. Thank you for trusting me with your eye care.very good
Response from the ownerThank you for your review! I appreciate your feedback and am grateful for the opportunity to care for you. Thank you for placing your trust in me and my team.- Response from the ownerThank you for your 5-star rating! I truly appreciate your support and the trust you have placed in me and my team. It is our pleasure to care for you, and we look forward to seeing you again.
- Response from the ownerThank you for your 5-star review! Your support means a great deal to me and my team. I appreciate the opportunity to care for your vision and am grateful you chose my practice.
