Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions our Call Center has recently received:
- Are you open? What are your hours?
We're open
The majority of our locations are normally open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Most of our locations stay open later one night a week to assist those patients who need to come in at a later time. You can click on our Location tab to see our individual locations with their hours of operation listed.
- How soon can I be seen?
It depends on the need for the visit. If emergent, we will try to see you right away. We also offer our Telehealth service for virtual consultations for patients who are having problems with their vision or other eye health concerns. You can schedule a virtual visit with one of our doctors. Many insurances are covering the cost of the video exam, so there may be a little or no out-of-pocket expense to you. All you need is a cell phone with video capabilities, and we will talk you through the rest. Call us at 800-282-3937 to schedule a virtual consultation or regular appointment.
- I don’t have any insurance; how much is an appointment?
The price of an appointment is based on the reason for the visit and if there are any medical needs for diagnostic testing to be done in addition to your office visit. The diagnostic testing can vary from 5 different levels. Therefore, it is hard to give an exact quote for the appointment. On average, routine eye exams without insurance start at $109, and Contact Lens evaluation (fitting) fees start at $40 in addition to the routine eye exam fee. Please see question # 8 for clarification on the contact lens evaluation fee. Again, if the exam is deemed medical or requires additional testing, the charges could go up. Please feel free to call 800-282-3937 to discuss your chief complaint or eye care needs to obtain a better idea of visit costs.
- Do we accept your insurance?
Please see our list of insurances we accept here
- What is Refraction?
Refraction is a measurement that determines the best vision in each eye. The test is necessary if you would like to have a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses or if you have had a change in your vision. Determining your best vision is the only way to begin an evaluation of your eye health so that we will check your vision with your glasses on or contact lenses in. We perform refractions utilizing precise and highly technical instruments, as well as the expertise of our certified ophthalmic assistants and our doctors. More time is spent on refraction used for a glasses prescription to ensure accuracy.
- Why doesn’t my insurance cover refraction?
Medicare and many other insurance plans consider refraction to a diagnostic vision test not covered under their medical coverage, so this amount is charged separately and is paid directly by the patient. Medicare secondary insurance plans will also not pay the charge since it is not a Medicare-covered service. The refraction fee is a separate fee from the eye examination fee and is due at the time of service, along with any copay or co-insurance required by your insurance plan.
- My glasses broke. Can I bring them in for repair?
You can bring them to any of our locations, and one of our Optical Associates would be able to assist you without an appointment.
8. What is a contact lens evaluation (fitting) fee?
FDA has recognized contact lenses as “medical devices” which must be fit by a professional eye care practitioner. Contact lenses require a separate prescription from glasses and also require additional information since the lenses are worn directly on the eyes. During the exam, the doctor will calculate the powers for your contact lens prescription based on your refraction. The size and shape of the lenses will be determined by measurements of your cornea. The doctor will then evaluate the lenses on your eye to ensure they are fitting appropriately and will assess the condition of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and tear film in order to achieve the optimal prescription. New wearers will require additional training on proper care and handling of the lenses. There will be a fee that covers the extra tests performed by the doctor, along with any necessary follow-up visits and trial lenses. This fee will be in addition to the regular comprehensive eye exam fee. Only some insurance companies cover this fee as they view contact lenses as elective/cosmetic correction. The complexity of the evaluation and prescription determines the cost.
Thank you for allowing us to care for your special eyes!
