Why does Morris Eye Group ask for my Medical insurance?
Morris Eye Group is a medical practice specializing in ophthalmology that diagnoses and treats medical conditions associated with the eye. Medical insurance generally covers eye care in relation to a medical condition. For example, if you need an eye exam because of cataracts, dry eyes, complications from diabetes, or in relation to diagnosed high blood pressure, then your medical insurance will provide coverage with ophthalmologist/optometrist. Medicare and other Medical Insurance Plans do cover the portion of the eye examination devoted to the determination of eye disease and the treatment of that disease.  Medical plans also cover diagnostic testing to aid the doctor in diagnosing eye disease and monitoring its progress.  If you have diagnostic testing performed, charges for these services will be billed to your medical insurance carrier.  You will be responsible for any copays, coinsurance and medical deductibles associated with your specific insurance plans. Vision insurance covers the vision screening, a refraction which is the test performed to obtain a glasses prescription, including dilation, and benefits towards glasses/ contact lenses. Vision Insurance rarely covers diagnostic testing to diagnose eye disease or monitor its progress.  If you need those services, their charges will be applied to your medical insurance plan, and any deductibles of coinsurance requirements of your medical insurance plan will apply.  Vision Insurance typically covers an eye exam once every 12-24 months, depending on the plan. Medical Insurance can be used as frequently as the doctor deems necessary for monitoring any ocular Medical diagnosis.

Why doesn’t my health insurance cover my eye glass prescription?
Although eye refractions are an integral part of a comprehensive eye examination, they are specifically excluded from coverage by Medicare and most Medical Insurance Plans (HMO’s and PPO’s).  Refractions are considered routine eye examinations for prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Please see the CMS Publication “Your Medicare Benefits”.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/eye-exams-routine
 
Why are diagnostic pictures of my eyes not covered under my vision insurance?
Vision insurance covers a once a year eye exam which includes; vision screening, a refraction which is the test performed to obtain a glasses prescription, dilation, and benefits towards glasses/ contact lenses. Photos are a diagnostic tool to assist the doctor in the treatment of eye conditions.  If a patient has a medical condition and we take a photo, it is billed to their medical insurance. 
 
Why are some medical plans considered out-of-network?
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been rolled out there are some insurance companies that have plans through Covered California and the Exchange Marketplace. Although we contract with many insurance companies including Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we are not a contracting provider for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Covered California and Exchange plans.
 
I have Medicare; why don’t they cover me 100% for my exam?
Medicare has an annual deductible that must be met.  Once that deductible is met, Medicare will cover the patient at 80% leaving a 20% responsibility for the patient.  There are supplemental plans to Medicare that one can purchase to cover the portion that Medicare doesn’t cover.
 
What’s the difference between Morris Eye Group and a Big Box Eye Care Center?
Big box eye care centers only provide vision exams.  Morris Eye Group is a full-service medical practice that provides medical diagnosis, treatment and surgical services including; cataract surgery, LASIK, glaucoma management and treatment, and corneal treatments.  In addition to medical services, we have the largest optical dispensary in North County San Diego providing our patients with quality glasses and contact lenses. When a patient chose to get full eye care with us, from start to finish, we have the ability to titrate any issues that arise after glasses have been dispensed because we monitor and control the process. If a patient elects to purchase eyewear elsewhere we have don’t have control on; materials/brand used, coding used, or how qualified the optician taking measurements. At Morris Eye Group, we use quality brands for our lenses and have access to choices for higher prescriptions, prism, and other brands should what we selected not work for the patient. Most of our opticians are licensed and certified and have a combined experience in optics of over 50 years.

Why do I need to come back for a Contact Lens Check after being given trial lenses?
We want to verify if the lens is fitting properly on the eye and fine tune the prescription if needed.

My eyes are very dry, is there contact lenses brand that can help with dryness?
Daily disposable lenses. In cases of extreme dryness, we might suggest a scleral lens.
 
I have been wearing contact lenses for years, why do I need to have an evaluation done every year for contact lenses?
California law requires optometrist to evaluate a patient’s cornea every year when prescribing contact lenses because contact lenses are defined by law as a medical device. In addition, your optometrist needs to see the contact lens on your eye to make sure that the lens is fitting properly and that you are seeing well out of the lens, before they can sign off on the prescription. Contact lens technology is constantly advancing and with that, while the contacts the year before might have worked well for you there is a chance there will be something better we want to make you aware of.

I wear my contact lenses all day every day. Why do I still need a pair of glasses?
A contact lens wearing patient needs a pair of glasses to give your eyes a break. It’s always good to have a fall back in case of emergency, maybe you run out of lenses or get an eye infection. If people have a pair of glasses to fall back on they are less likely to over-wear their contact lenses.

I got my trial contact lenses and I don't see well out of them, why do I need to wear them (when I know they don't work) to my appointment for my contact lens check?
Seeing the lenses on the eye is helpful to determine why they aren’t working. Examples: checking the rotation for astigmatism.

How long does it take to get used to wearing contact lenses?
It is normal to feel slight irritation or a foreign body sensation at first, but after a few days that sensation should subside. Some patients don't have any discomfort, especially if the contact lenses are daily disposables.

Can a contact get lost in my eye?
The most common misconception for new contact lens wearers is the fear that they will get a contact lens stuck in or behind their eye. While this cannot happen, the lens may go under your eyelid which would initially make it difficult to see, but not impossible to remove. If you are struggling putting in or removing your contacts, we offer contact lens education at our practice, call for an appointment.

What are the benefits of wearing daily disposable contact lenses?
Even though the lenses themselves may be more expensive in some cases, (since you are replacing the lenses daily) you actually save by not having to purchase contact lens solution! Many manufacturers now use special breathable material for their lenses which allow more oxygen to pass through. Most of the complaints from my contact lens patients are from those who wear biweekly or monthly contact lenses and are actually having a reaction to the disinfecting solution, not the contacts themselves. Thus, just by switching to a daily disposable lens, they immediately have less irritation and dryness. You open a sterile package with sterile solution and a sterile contact lens everyday- this leads to less problems with wear and irritation.

Are there contacts that correct for both distance and reading?
If patients need help with both their distance and reading, I might recommend trying multi-focal contact lenses as they can be adjusted for computer use as well. 

What age is recommended for first time contact lens wearers?
I do not determine eligibility solely based off a patient's age. Instead I assess their motivation and maturity. Wearing contacts comes with a responsibility to use them correctly. If a young patient is not motivated on their own to do the work and learn how to insert and remove their own lenses, then the patient will not succeed with contact lenses. He has had patients as young as 10 or 11 years old who succeeded with contact lenses. This is greatly in part to the use of daily disposable lenses which have greatly reduced the risk and maintenance required for use of contact lenses.