Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a routine vs. medical eye examination?

Insurance companies usually categorize visits to your eye doctor as either "routine" or "medical". The type of eye examination you have is determined by your visit or your cheif complaint, as well as your diagnosis. Most medical insurance plans do not pay for "vision" services. Most vision plans do not pay for "medical" problems. When you schedule your appointment, please let us know the reason for your visit, what insurance plans you have, and we will help you determine which plans may be approproate for your visit. 

How long does an eye examination take?

Appointment times vary depending on the type of appointment. A full examination can take 1-2 hours. This includes the time needed to check your glasses perscription and to dilate your eyes. 

What is a refraction?

A refraction is the process of determining if there is a need for corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is an essential part of an eye examination and necessary to write a prescription for glasses or contact lenses, It is NOT a covered service by medicare or most insurance plans. These plans consider a refraction a "vision" service, not a "medical" service. Therefore, you will be required to pay for the refraction at the time of service. 

Should I bring my present glasses with me to the appointment?

Yes, please bring all recent glasses (reading and distance) with you to your examination. 

Will my eyes be dilated and if so, why?

Your ophthalmologist or optometrist will determine whether your eyes need to be dilated. A thorough, dilated examination allows your doctor to have a better view of the back of your eyes to detect and diagnose common eye diseases and conditions at their earliest stages including diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and more. 

How long will my eyes stay dilated?

Everybody's eyes will react differently to the dilating drops. On averge, we say that your eyes will remain dilate for 4-6 hours after your appointment, with vision improving every hour. Please bring your sunglasses with you to the office. 

Will my insurance cover my examination?

It is the responsibility of the patient to know his or her benefits. Your insurance company determines what they will or will not pay for. We rely on the accuracy of the information you provide and information from your insurance company representative to make an initial determination of coverage. Subsequent decisions made by your insurance company are outside of our control. We will generally file insurance on your behalf for covered servcies. We do expect you to make prompt payment for any portion that the insurance company will not be responsible. 

I have a referral plan. Do I need to provide this referral?

We participate with many of the HMO and POS plans and other managed care plans currently offered in this area. If a written referral is required by your plan, you must provide such referral before the service is provided. If you do not have a valid referral form at the time of your visit, it will be necessary for you to pay for services at the time of the visit or to reschedule the visit. 

What do I bring with me for my appointment?

Please bring the following on the day of your visit to our office:

  1. Current insurance cards (vision and medical)
  2. Current medication list
  3. All recent glasses and contact lenses (both distance and near)
  4. Cash, credit card or checkbook for co-payments and other charges
  5. An insurance referral, if your plan requires one. 
  6. If you are a new patient, please register online prior to your appointment. Please print your completed forms at the end of the online registration and bring them to your appointment to be safe.