How fees work
Which plan pays for which part of a visit, and what you pay yourself.
Insurance we work with
A routine eye exam is billed to a vision plan. A visit for an eye problem, a check on an eye disease or a follow-up is billed to medical insurance. Many visits include both, and we bill each part to the plan that pays for it.
Vision plans: routine exams, glasses and contact lenses
Medical insurance: eye problems, eye disease checks and follow-ups
Medicare: pays for medical eye visits, and not for routine exams or glasses, with narrow exceptions. Ask us what applies to you
We work with many plans. Call us and we check yours
If you pay yourself
If you pay yourself, the front desk tells you the fee for the visit before you start. Fitting fees, special lens coatings and replacement lenses are billed separately, and we say so up front. We don't promise a price for glasses before the exam, because it depends on your prescription and your choices.
What the exam covers
What is billed separately
Reduced-fee spots: ask the front desk
Receipts for reimbursement
Ask for an itemized receipt and send it to your plan. Whether the plan pays you back is up to the plan.
An estimate in advance
If you are paying without insurance, we give you a Good Faith Estimate in writing before your visit. Ask for it when you call. If your bill is $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it.
Your rights under the No Surprises ActChecking your benefits
The front desk checks your benefits before the visit when we can, and asks you to confirm with your plan too. Your plan makes the final decision on what it pays.
What the first visit includes
A first visit is a full exam of about an hour, billed to the plan that pays for it. You leave with a copy of your prescription, and you can fill it anywhere.
Your prescription is yours
We give you a copy after your exam and fitting, and you can fill it anywhere. You never have to buy from us to get it.
Questions about paying
Why was part of my visit billed to medical insurance?
When the doctor looks into an eye problem or checks an eye disease, that work is medical, so it goes to medical insurance. The routine part of the visit goes to your vision plan.
How much will my visit cost?
It depends on your plan and on what the doctor does. Call us, and the front desk checks your plan and tells you before the visit.
Can I use a receipt with my plan?
Ask the front desk for an itemized receipt. Your plan decides whether it pays you back.
Bring the whole family
Send us your name and number, or call. We will find a time that fits your week.