According to WHO, in around 1 billion, the worsening of the problem can be prevented if addressed at the right time – and only an eye exam can make that possible. Sadly, repetitive eye exams cost money, and not all of us have it.
If you have an insurance plan, there is a chance that you would have eye or visual allowance. Even though having it puts the pressure off your pocket, you still have to go through much hassle before you actually get it. That’s why at Macleod Optometry in Calgary, our eye doctors offer direct billing eye exams, where you don’t have to worry about the expenses, just your eye health!
Understanding Direct Billing For Eye Exam
It is a payment option in which we directly bill your insurance company. With direct billing service, you can get an eye exam or buy eyeglasses without paying upfront and seeking reimbursement later.
We at Macleod Optometry streamline the complex insurance paperwork for you and make eye care more accessible and affordable in Calgary. The whole process is as simple as these few steps,
When you visit us for an eye exam, we check the validity of your insurance company.
Next, we submit a claim for all the services that you get during your visit.
Your insurance provider pays us directly after their authentication process.
Hence, the process is simple. You can take care of eye health without worrying about the expenses.
Some companies offer limited coverage policies. However, we believe in 100% transparency, and we discuss all potential out-of-pocket expenses with anyone seeking direct billing eye exam service or direct billing eye doctor consultation.
Why Do Eye Exams?
Eye exams are more than just routine checkups. They are important if you want to keep your eye on top-notch health and detect potential problems early on. For example, eye exams can detect problems like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Early detection of these eye issues can play a significant role in improving overall eye health.
According to the latest statistics of the World Health Organization, around 2.2 billion people have either near or far visual impairment, making it around one-fourth of the global population. If you are also among the one-fourth, you need a yearly visit to the eye clinic, where your eye doctor will prescribe you corrective glasses or contact lenses to optimize your visual acuity.
Regular eye exams are also part of screening for several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, if left uncontrolled over the years, can damage the internal structures of your eye. Eye exams enable your eye doctor to know its severity early on, which helps make necessary steps to prevent the progression.
All these points signal the same thing: “Eye exams are important, and you need to have many of them during your lifetime.” However, paying for them can be a bit heavy on your pocket. That’s why we recommend direct billing for eye exams and eyeglasses to avoid all the hassle.
Direct Billing Eye Exams: What Are You Covered For?
Yes, we have discussed before that direct billing simplifies the process as it allows your eye doctor to bill your insurance company directly, saving you the struggle.
But what are you really covered for in your eye exam remains the question? So, without beating about the bush, let’s discuss this in detail.
Most of the time, you visit your eye doctor for a general eye exam, which is often included in your insurance plan’s services. However, you don’t just make assumptions. Instead, a better solution would be to contact your insurance provider and ask whether they have included a general eye exam in your services.
Another way to ensure that is by reading what is written in the insurance policy. Most authentic insurance providers provide you with a leaflet of their complete guide. There, you can acknowledge whether you have insurance for various tests associated with your eye exams. Some of the important ones you should look for are tests to assess your visual field, refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, ocular pressures (raised in conditions like glaucoma), and cataracts. These are a few of the common eye conditions, and you may have to visit your doctor for them. Therefore, educating yourself about this can help you during your visit to your eye clinic.
In addition to an eye exam, you also need to check whether your insurance covers services like contact lenses or eyeglasses, which you often need if there is any problem with your vision. Plans may vary, as some may cover completely and others only provide partial coverage of these services. Still, there are some insurance plans in which out-of-pocket expenses may be needed to get you these services. Therefore, being vigilant and asking beforehand can save you from unnecessary expenses.
Tips To Maximum Insurance Coverage For Eye Care
Sometimes, you need to be proactive with your eye exams to avoid unnecessary expenses, even with direct billing services available. Thankfully, we have four easy steps to ensure that all payments for your eye exam are through your insurance and that you are not paying anything from your pocket.
Insurance Coverage
Every insurance policy has well-defined coverage details. A few of the things that you must acknowledge are deductibles, copayments, and coverage limits for eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. When you know for what services you can directly bill your insurance company, you can take proactive actions and make informed decisions about your eye exam.
Stay Informed
Policies are made to be changed. The same is true of insurance policies. Therefore, you must remain informed about the latest updates in your insurance plan’s documentation and consult your insurance provider or eye doctor to clarify coverage details and eligibility criteria.
Seek Preauthorization
For complex eye exams or procedures like eye surgeries, you should seek preauthorization from your insurance company to confirm coverage and avoid unexpected expenses at your end.
In Calgary? Contact Us
We know all these steps seem a lot. That’s why we are here to help.
If you are looking for a direct billing eye exam in Calgary, we can help you make your whole experience comfortable and hassle-free. With us, you don’t have to worry about all of these proactive actions. You only need to visit us, and we will help you with all the paperwork, saving you from all the unnecessary expenses.
Direct Billing For Eye Exam In Calgary
With Macleod Optometry, getting your eyes checked has become much easier than ever before. You don’t have to fuss around with receipts or chase down insurance claims afterward.
Here’s how it’s done at our clinic,
You walk into the eye clinic, sit down for your exam, and boom! It’s done. Your insurance coverage is sorted out on the spot, saving you from hassle.
With us on board, you can say goodbye to the headache of filing claims and waiting for reimbursements. It’s all about convenience. Plus, knowing your insurance is sorted upfront can take a load off your mind.
Whether you’re due for a routine checkup or suspect you need a new prescription, direct billing eye exams make the whole process smoother.
List Of Insurance Providers
Currently, we do direct billing to the following insurance companies
● Sun Life Financial
● Manulife
● Industrial Alliance
● Great West Life
● Chambers of Commerce
● Co-operators
● Green Shield
● Manitoba Blue Cross
● Medavie Blue Cross
● Sirius Benefits
● CINUP Cowan
● First Canadian
● GroupSource
● GroupHealth
● Johnson Inc.
● Johnson Group
● Manion
● ClaimSecure
● NexGen Rx
● Gov’t of Northwest Territories
● SSQ
● Financial Group
● Maximum Benefit
● Alberta Blue Cross
● Desjardins
Direct Billing Eye Exam: In A Nutshell
There is no second thought that comprehensive eye care, including regular eye exams, is important for the optimal health of your eye. Therefore, direct billing eye exams, such as those offered by Macleod Optometry in Calgary, simplify seeking eye care by easing financial burdens and streamlining administrative tasks.
So, don’t miss out. Book your appointment now!
Original article appeared here: https://macleodoptometry.ca/direct-billing-eye-exam-calgary/
About Macleod Optometry in Calgary
Macleod Optometry | Optometrist Calgary
Address: 101 8855 Macleod Trail SW Calgary, AB T2H 0M2
Phone: (403) 460-3937