What is the difference between a wellness exam and a medical exam?

The difference between “routine” and “medical” depends on the findings of the doctor at the visit.

Many of the visits at our clinic are billed as “routine” but other visits may involve medical coding and that can change a “routine” visit into a medical visit. A visit might be billed as “medical” even if a patient isn’t experiencing any noticeable signs or symptoms.

We always bill medical insurance first followed by your vision insurance plan. If you wear contact lenses, the fitting will be billed to your vision plan, unless certain limited medical conditions exist.

Will my visit be covered by my insurance?

Generally speaking, most insurance plans have good coverage at our facility. However, some procedures including (but are not limited to): photography, Tear Lab, and other special testing may not be fully covered by certain insurance plans. Our primary focus is the health of your eyes, and we may conduct testing and procedures that are not covered by your insurance plan. If you find you are unable to pay for your visit, we offer flexible payment plans and Care Credit.

Can I wear contact lenses?

Our doctors can help determine whether you are a good candidate for contact lenses. Contact lens fittings are rarely covered by insurance but can be part of your annual exam for an extra charge. Sometimes a supplementary vision plan (such as VSP or Eyemed) will provide partial coverage for contact lens fittings. Our contact lens prescriptions are good for two years unless there is a medical reason to shorten this period, or a change is indicated.

Can I get LASIK? How do I go about doing so?

While our doctors do not perform LASIK, they can help determine whether or not you are a good candidate for LASIK. This special surgery is almost always private pay and we would refer you to a specialist that we know and trust.

How long does an eye exam typically take?

An eye exam typically· takes 60-90 minutes and we prefer to use dilation drops in order to properly assess the health of the eyes.

How long will my eyes be dilated?

Dilation usually lasts for a few hours. This can depend on eye color, age, and other ocular factors.

What should I bring to my eye exam?

Please bring all materials related to the health of your eyes: contact lenses, eyewear, eye drops, medications list, etc. Please also bring your insurance card(s). If you are diabetic, please bring the name and fax number of your primary care physician, and/or diabetic specialist.

Should I come to see you if I have medical conditions such as Diabetes, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Dry Eye, or Keratoconus?

Yes, River Lake Clinic treats a wide variety of medical eye conditions including diabetic eye issues from any type of diabetes, cataracts, muscular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or K-cone.

Are your eyeglasses expensive?

We carry a wide variety of frames and styles to meet everyone’s tastes and preferences. Our goal is to carry the highest quality frames and materials. We have competitive pricing and a wide selection of frames to choose from at various price points.

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

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