SHIPP & WOOTEN FINANCIAL POLICY

Shipp & Wooten Eye Center is committed to providing you with the highest level of service and quality care. In order to achieve these goals, we need your assistance and understanding of our financial policy.

• PAYMENT: Payment is due in full at the time of service including copays, coinsurance and/or deductibles.

• INSURANCE CARDS: Please make sure the insurance cards presented are current and accurate. If you have both a Medical and Vision Insurance, you will only need to present your Medical Insurance at the time of service whether your visit is routine or medical, your Vision card will not pay for services at our clinic.

• INSURANCE: While Shipp & Wooten is happy to submit services rendered to your insurance company, for payment, ultimately you are responsible for any and all financial liabilities. Shipp & Wooten Eye Center’s office participates with most major insurance plans. We DO NOT participate in vision plans. NON-PARTICIPATING PLANS: If Shipp & Wooten Eye Center Physicians does not participate in your insurance plan, you will be responsible for filing your own claims and for paying in full at the time service is rendered. 

• AUTHORIZATIONS: If you have a plan that requires a referral to see a specialist, you must obtain a referral in order for your visit in our office to be covered under your medical insurance. If you do not have the valid referral and still wish to be seen, you will be asked to pay for the visit prior to your examination.

• NON-COVERED SERVICES/DENIED CHARGES: Certain services may be considered non-covered services or may be denied as investigational, experimental, or not medically necessary by your insurance carrier. If your physician feels these services are needed and they are performed, you are obligated to pay for these services in full should your insurance carrier deny payment.

• REFRACTIONS: A refraction is the process of determining if there is a need for corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is an essential part of an eye examination and necessary in order to write a prescription for glasses or contact lens. Insurance DOES NOT cover the fee for refractions. Because your insurance plan does not cover your refraction Shipp & Wooten will discount the refraction charge to $25 and this amount will be due at the time of service.

• MEDICAID MAGNOLIA MSCAN/UHC MSCAN PROGRAMS: Shipp & Wooten Eye Center participates in these programs for medical conditions only. Shipp & Wooten does not participate in the routine vision portion of these plans. Patients over the age of 21 who have traditional Medicaid coverage, are allotted 12 office visits annually. If you have traditional Medicaid coverage and exceed your 12 visits annually, you will be responsible for all charges. The Medicaid fiscal year is July 1st - June 30th. If you are referred by another physician and no medical diagnosis is found, you will be responsible for all charges for that visit. MOLINA HEALTHCARE: Shipp & Wooten Eye Center does not participate in this insurance plan. If you are referred by another physician, or make an appointment with this insurance plan, you will be responsible for all charges for that visit.

• RETURNED CHECKS & PAST DUE AMOUNTS: Returned checks will be subject to collection charges, penalties and interest. All accounts are considered delinquent if not paid within 90 days of service. Past due accounts may result in collection turnover and may be subject to penalties and interest, and/or the refusal of future appointments until old balances have been paid in full.

• SURGERY CHARGES: Shipp & Wooten Eye Center and Specialty Surgery & Laser Center will make every effort to notify you of an estimate of what your insurance benefits will be, prior to your scheduled surgery. Please keep in mind that this is just an estimate. Estimates of patient balances, that are not paid by due date, could result in your surgery being rescheduled. You may incur additional charges (in addition to the surgeon's fees) from the anesthesiologist. Your surgical fees WILL BE DUE at least the week prior to the scheduled surgery date.

PAYING FOR CATARACT SURGERY

Medicare covers surgery with a standard, or monofocal, intraocular lens implant. However, you may choose to receive an ADVANCED INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANT for an added fee. Private insurance policies vary, but many also offer policy holders the choice of receiving a standard, or monofocal lens implant. However, the same as Medicare patients, you may choose to receive a specialized lens for an added fee, as long as you pay the difference. Flexible Spending Accounts are another way you can save on your cataract surgery. For questions about any part of the payment process, please contact the billing and insurance department at Shipp & Wooten Eye Center and we will be happy to help answer any questions.

These policies are always available for review at our clinic, though if you would like a paper copy, we would be happy to oblige.