THE HEYDE EYE CENTER
Great Vision for a Lifetime!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ROUTINE EYE EXAM AND A MEDICAL EYE EXAM?

A routine eye exam is defined by insurance companies as an office visit for the purpose of checking vision, screening for eye disease, and/or updating eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. Routine eye exams produce a final diagnosis, like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.   Refractions are done during a routine eye exam to determine your prescription for glasses or contacts.

 

Vision insurance plans provide coverage for routine exams, glasses and contact lenses, or at least provide some type of discounts on your doctor’s fees. A routine eye exam is billed to your vision insurance plan. By law, Medicare does not pay for routine vision exams.

 

A medical eye exam produces a diagnosis, like conjunctivitis, dry eye, glaucoma or cataracts, to mention a few. Depending on your policy, your medical insurance may cover a medical exam, but not pay for the exam if it is a routine eye exam. Examinations for medical eye care, assessment of an eye complaint or to follow up on an existing medical condition are billed to your medical insurance plan.  Dilation is typically part of a medical eye exam as it allows the ophthalmologist to see inside your eye.  A refraction is not always part of a medical eye exam. 

 

REFRACTION

A refraction is the part of an office visit that determines your eyeglass prescription. It typically involves questions like, “which is clearer – option one or option two” as different lens combinations are shown to you. Vision insurance policies generally cover both the eye exam and the refraction. Medical insurance will not cover the cost of the refraction.  Our refraction fee is $40.00.

 

APPOINTMENTS & SCHEDULING
The Peoria Office schedules routine exams on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Our Pekin Office schedules routines on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Dr. Heyde, our Opthalmologist, is in the Peoria Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in our Pekin office on Mondays and Wednesdays.  The schedule is subject to change from time to time to ensure our patients needs are being met to the fullest capacity.  Our Pekin office also offers Saturday hours on a limited basis.  Call us to find our more! Please do not email us with scheduling questions or questions about symptoms you may have or medications. 

 

INFORMATION
Feel free to explore the links to the left for more information about various topics such as insurance, vision plans, eye health and more!