Fees – Metro Eye

Fees

Comprehensive Eye Exam

Metro Eye prides itself on providing a comprehensive visit each time you see our doctors. Whether it be for a Routine Eye Exam, a Medical Eye Exam, or another type of medical visit, our goal is to provide you with the best care possible.

The Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam, routine or medical, includes many parts. Some are covered by insurance, and some are not. The structure of our exam, which includes both a vision exam (typically covered by insurance) and additional diagnostic tests (typically not covered by insurance) but which our doctors deem necessary to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your visual system and screen for ocular disease, are both part of the exam you receive at Metro Eye. We have designated this grouping of necessary diagnostic tests, The Exam Testing Package, which is required for all Annual Eye Exams, routine or medical. This package, which includes a variety of tests at a discounted rate, is $59.

Performed on all patients*:

  • Retinal Screening Photos
  • Expanded Sensorimotor Assessment
  • Routine Topography
  • Accommodative testing and near vision evaluation
  • Screening for Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with initiation of entry level treatment

Performed as needed:

  • Axial Length measurements
  • Neurolens testing
  • Brief evaluation of known ocular disease(s) to determine if stable or if an additional medical exam should be scheduled
  • Cycloplegic Refraction
  • Pachymetry to facilitate discussion regarding Lasik or other refractive surgery options

We understand you have a choice of what doctor to see for your Annual Eye Exam, we hope you choose one of our dedicated and skilled doctors at Metro Eye.

Vision Exam Frequently Asked Questions

Can I opt out of the ‘Exam Test Package’ if I only want what my insurance covers?

No. Although a vision exam allows for an overview of your vision and basic ocular health it is not in the best interest of our patient’s vision or ocular health to not provide the best care possible.

Why doesn’t insurance cover the additional diagnostic tests that Metro Eye performs?

Insurance companies cover only routine services. These routine services only allow for enough testing to write a basic glasses prescription for your right eye and your left eye as separate units and does not consider how your prescription is affected by the ability or inability of your eyes to work together to provide efficient/comfortable binocular vision.

These diagnostic tests are categorized by insurance companies to be outside of the scope of their coverage and no reimbursement is provided for the higher level of care you receive.

If you have always done these tests, why have I not been charged in the past?

The simple answer is that we continue to invest in technology and the education of our doctors and staff to improve your quality of care. However, insurance companies have not raised our reimbursement rates for vision exams in the past 17 years. So, Metro Eye was faced with three options:

  • Discontinue accepting insurance for vision exams.
  • Provide a lower level of care by performing only the tests which an insurance company, not your doctor, feel are adequate.
  • Continue to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your visual system and screen for ocular disease with an associated fee which is not submittable to insurance.

In previous years I paid a fee for Retinal Screening Photography, will I incur a fee for retinal screening photography in addition to the ‘Exam Test Package’?

No. Retinal Screening Photos are part of the package.

What are the additional diagnostic tests that are included in the ‘Exam Testing Package’?

Performed on all patients*:

  • Retinal Screening Photos
  • Expanded Sensorimotor Assessment
  • Routine Topography
  • Accommodative testing and near vision evaluation
  • Screening for Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with initiation of entry level treatment

Performed as needed:

  • Axial Length measurements
  • Neurolens testing
  • Brief evaluation of known ocular disease(s) to determine if stable or if an additional medical exam should be scheduled.
  • Cycloplegic Refraction
  • Pachymetry to facilitate discussion regarding Lasik or other refractive surgery options

What is the difference between a New Patient and an Established Patient?

New Patients are defined by insurers, including Medicare, as a patient who has not received any `professional services from any physician in the same practice within the past three years.

* In certain uncommon situations, a test may not be feasible due to factors such as patient compliance, the inability to respond to questions, or difficulties in being positioned at the diagnostic instrument.

Routine Vision Exam and Medical Vision Exam

What is a routine vision exam?

  • A routine vision exam is defined by insurance companies as an office visit for the purpose of checking vision, screening for eye disease, and updating eyeglass prescriptions.
  • Routine vision exams produce a final refractive diagnosis, like nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism.
  • A routine vision exam will be billed to either your vision insurance, routine vision benefit within your medical insurance (if applicable) or to you (if you are self-pay).

What is a medical vision exam?

A medical vision exam differs from a routine vision exam in that it is an exam where we are evaluating or treating a patient for a known medical diagnosis or condition which may influence the ability to obtain a reliable refraction and therefore, an accurate eyeglass prescription.

Diagnosis or situations might include, but are not limited to, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, retinal detachments, ocular surface disease (dry eye) and eye trauma. These are all medical issues with the eyes that can affect your vision but cannot be fixed with glasses or contacts.

A medical vision exam will be billed to your medical insurance and any medical copays, coinsurances and deductible will apply.

Metro Eye Fees

Routine Eye Care

  • *New Patient Routine Vision Exam $209
  • Existing Patient Routine Vision Exam $189
  • Exam Testing Package $59 (required for all routine and medical eye exams)
  • Routine Contact Lens Fitting $99-$235 (Contact lens fitting fee is based on the doctor’s findings)
  • All Specialty Contact Lens Fittings and required testing fees will be emailed to the patient prior to their initial visit and may be requested on subsequent years.

* A New Patient is anyone who has not been see at Metro Eye for a service within the past 3 years to the day.

Medical Eye Care

  • Medical Office Visit $99-$289 (Based on time and involvement)

**Unless specified by the doctor, all OSD and Diagnostic Testing visits will include a Medical Office Visit.

**Ocular Surface Disease(OSD)/Dry Eye

  • InflammaDry $39
  • Tear Osmolarity $39/eye
  • LLLT Mask $89/mask (usually in a series of 3-5)
  • IPL Mask $275 (not submittable to insurance)
  • LipiScan $59 (not submittable to insurance)
  • Lipiflow $450 per eye (not submittable to insurance)
  • Zest in office Procedure $150 (not submittable to insurance)

**Diagnostic Testing

  • Corneal Topography $49
  • ERG (Electroretinography) $79
  • Pachymetry $15
  • MFERG (Multi-Focal ERG) $175
  • OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) $59
  • Medical Photography $59
  • Visual Field $89
  • Gonioscopy $44

Materials

Charges associated with items such as glasses, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, eye treatments, and dry eye supplies vary and will be fully explained before any materials are ordered. Full payment is due for materials when your order is placed.

Any discounts and/or insurance benefits available through Metro Eye will be explained at the time of your visit.