1. What is an Optomap and why would I want one?
The optomap Retinal Exam is used by our doctors to get a clear wide view of the back part of your eye called the retina. While eye exams generally include a look at the front of the eye to evaluate health and prescription changes, a thorough screening of the retina is critical to verify that your eye is healthy. Eye examinations that include an optomap, allow for early detection of various eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, floaters, retinal detachments and even tumors. Since many of these conditions develop without symptoms, they are often first discovered during a comprehensive eye examination. With early detection and appropriate treatment these and other conditions may be corrected or minimized, and the severity of potential vision loss can be reduced. The optomap test is quick, painless, and in most cases does not require dilation drops.
2. Are Walk INS Welcome?
Yes, we take each and every patient that walks into one of our convenient locations and encourage family members and friends to be seen as well. We do however; highly recommend making an appointment to reduce wait times and to ensure insurance authorizations.
3. Contact Lens Pricing:
Once your doctor has prescribed you with a year’s supply of contacts:
We guarantee that we will always beat 1-800 contacts pricing. In addition, when you purchase your contact lenses through us, we offer the additional value of:
• We Ship your contacts directly to your home at no additional charge (with the purchase of a year supply). Or if more convenient, you may pick your contacts up directly at our office.
• We exchange ripped or torn contact lenses
• We exchange any lenses that you might have already purchased if your prescription changes within the first 6 months after your examination.
• Your doctor will recommend that you change your lens case every couple of months to help prevent bacteria/ infection.
• We encourage you to come visit us and pick up some more solution and a new case at your convenience throughout the year at no additional charge.
• Finally, for a limited time only we are running a promotion where we will provide you with a coupon for 30% off of non-prescription sunglasses with our optical department with a contact lens purchase today.
4. Why do I need a Referral?
In many cases, your eye examination will be covered under your primary medical insurance provider. This often cannot be determined until the time of the examination. We highly recommend that if your primary medical coverage requires a referral, that you bring one to your office visit so that you can utilize your medical coverage if appropriate.
5. What constitutes a medical examination that will be billed to my medical insurance carrier?
If your eyes are; red, burning, itching, tired, dry, or tearing these would most likely facilitate the need for a comprehensive medical examination that would appropriately be billed to your primary medical insurance carrier.
If your eyes are experiencing; floaters, squiggly lines, black dots, sudden loss of vision, bright flashing lights, a dark curtain covering the top bottom or sides of your vision, or any other type of unusual visual phenomenon, one of these would most likely facilitate the need for a comprehensive medical examination that would appropriately be billed to your primary medical insurance carrier.
If you have any type of systemic pathology such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or thyroid Conditions; any of these would most likely facilitate the need for a comprehensive medical examination that would appropriately be billed to your primary medical insurance carrier.
If during your examination your doctor has findings such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, conjunctivitis or dry eyes; anyone of these would most likely facilitate the need for a comprehensive medical examination that would appropriately be billed to your primary medical insurance carrier.
6. What is the difference between a routine eye examination and a medical eye examination?
To understand the difference, one must analyze the different types of eye exams. Even though office visits to an eye care professional are usually categorized as either "routine" or "medical," this terminology has nothing to do with the steps it takes to perform a comprehensive eye exam nor the type of doctor who performs the exam. A comprehensive "routine" vision exam often contains the same elements as a comprehensive "medical" eye exam, and seeing an eye surgeon doesn't make the exam medical in nature.
The type of eye exam you have is determined by the reason for your visit, your chief complaint, your overall medical conditions as well as your diagnosis. Routine vision exams usually produce non medical diagnoses such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. These really are not diagnoses but terms used to describe the normal length and curve of the eye. On the other hand, medical eye exams produce a diagnosis, which is considered a change from normal function of the eye. An example of this might be something like Dry Eye Syndrome or Allergic Conjunctivitis. So in a nutshell, it is the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" states of the eye and/or body that dictate which insurance the doctor must submit your claim.
7. Understanding Your Coverage
Many Insurance
companies handle
routine eye exams differently than medical eye exams. That is, some
medical
insurance carriers may cover a medical eye problem, but not pay for the
exam if
it is a routine eye exam (an exam without a medical diagnosis). Many
vision
plans (not true insurance but a periodic glasses benefit plan) provide
coverage
for glasses and contact lenses, or at least have some type of discount
on the
doctor's fees. The medical insurance will pay for examinations if you
have eye
health problems. Many people with medical insurance have a separate
rider
policy, from a Vision Benefits Company, to cover non medical-routine eye
exams.
To complicate matters more, some medical insurance will cover one
routine eye
exam every two years in addition to covering an eye exam that is for a
medical
eye problem. Study your policy closely, as plan coverage varies among
insurance
companies. What happens if you have concerns about your eye health but
you also need new glasses? Can you have your vision checked even though
you
have a medical eye problem? The answer is, of course, but in most cases
the
medical insurance company will only pay the medical portion of the bill.
The
other portion which covers the part of the exam that generates the
glasses
prescription, called a refraction, is not covered and therefore may need
to be
paid directly out of pocket or hopefully sometimes can be sent to the
the
vision benefits company. Again, insurance companies usually separate
the
components of an eye exam, one being the comprehensive exam and the
other being
the refraction. Typically, vision benefits rider policies usually cover
both
the eye exam and the refraction, while medical policies cover the exam
only.
8. A Real-Life Example
Let's say your employer provides both types of insurance -- medical insurance as well as a separate vision plan, such as EyeMed or Vision Service Plan (VSP). You decide that it's time for eye exam because your glasses are falling apart. So you see your eye care professional for a "routine" eye exam and to purchase new glasses. During the the health history you indicate that you eyes have been red, itchy and tearing. Then during the physical exam it is determined you have seasonal allergic conjunctivitis for which you are given prescription eye drops. Now, even though your original intent was to replace your glasses it is the history, physical exam and final diagnosis that dictates which the type of exam you have had and which insurance carrier receives the claim submission. Your glasses claim though will be submitted to your vision rider policy.
9. What You Should Know?
Although most eye care practices are very knowledgeable about insurance plans, remember that it is not your doctor's responsibility to know the details of your individual plan. It is to your benefit to be aware of possible deductibles and co-pays that are part of your plan. Your insurance plan may cover routine vision care, but you might end up paying for it anyway if your deductible has not yet been met. And just because your company offers routine vision coverage doesn't mean you, personally, are a "routine" patient. Thinking about your conditions prior to the visit and being prepared for either exam type outcome will make for a much better experience.
10. AARP Vision Discounts.
As an AARP® member, you can receive significant savings on eyewear and on eye exams. These valuable discounts are offered at no additional cost through AARP vision discounts provided by EyeMed Vision Care®. Just show us your AARP membership card.
If you hold a vision benefits plan through AARP Health Care Options, you can save even more by showing your AARP Health Care Options card.
Save 30%** on a complete pair of glasses.
• Available on one pair or multiple pairs
• Single-vision, bifocal, and trifocal lenses
• Standard progressives and specialty lenses
Save on comprehensive eye examinations.*
• Routine eye exam from participating Independent Doctors of Optometry for only $45
• $10 off contact lens exam
• Dilated fundus exam*** (if needed) at no extra charge
Save up to 20% on contacts.
• 10% off disposable contact lenses
• 20% off all other contact lenses (some restrictions apply)
AARP Vision Discounts cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, or coupons.
** Must be a current AARP member to receive discount off tag price. Valid on multiple pairs. Complete pair (frame and lenses) purchase required. Discount does not apply to the 1-year replacement discount. Cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any vision care or insurance benefits or plans, any store or other offer, discount or sale, previous purchases, or readers. Void where prohibited. Offer subject to change without notice. Certain frames and non-prescription sunglasses excluded. Valid eyeglass and/or contact lens prescription required. See store for details. EyeMed vision care makes available a network of eye care providers through which AARP members may access the AARP vision discount. This is not insurance and may be discontinued at any time. All decisions about vision care are between you and your health care provider. EyeMed Vision Care pays license fees to AARP and its affiliates for use of the AARP trademark and other services. Amounts are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members.
*** A dilated fundus exam is an additional procedure to conduct a more extensive evaluation. The eye must be dilated to permit a dilated fundus exam to be conducted.
11. Use Your AAA Glasses Discount.
The AAA Show Your Card & Save® program offers AAA members valuable discounts on eyewear and on eye exams.
Just show us your AAA card and save.
• 30% off complete pairs of eyewear, sunglasses, and accessories**
• 30% off eye exams*
• 15% off lenses/frames purchased separately**
• 10% off conventional contact lenses**
* Valid AAA membership required. Discount off tag price. Valid on multiple pairs. Frame and lenses purchase with valid prescription required. Contact lens purchase requires valid contact lens prescription. No minimum purchase required. Cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any vision care or insurance benefits or plans, any store or other offer, previous purchases, or readers. Some restrictions apply. Some brands excluded. See store for details. Valid at participating locations. Void where prohibited.