Insurance & FAQ

Insurance and pricing

About half the calls our front desk gets are some version of “what’s this going to cost me?” It’s a fair question. Most of the answer is on this page, and if your situation is unusual, call us at (423) 555-0143 and we’ll check your exact benefits before you book.

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Vision plans we accept

We’re in network with VSP and EyeMed, the two plans that cover most of our patients. For medical eyecare we bill most major medical plans, including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Not sure what you have? Call with your insurance card in hand and we’ll tell you what your visit and your materials will cost. We check benefits for every patient before the appointment.

Vision insurance vs. medical insurance (the big one)

This is the part of eye care billing that confuses people most, so here’s how it works.

Vision plans (VSP, EyeMed) cover routine care: your annual exam, and an allowance toward glasses or contacts. Medical insurance covers eye problems: dry eye, red eyes, glaucoma, diabetic exams, floaters, and infections.

Which one applies depends on why you’re being seen, not on which card you’d rather use. If you come in for a routine exam and we find a medical issue, we’ll explain how it’s billed before we do anything. The goal is that no one is surprised at checkout.

Self-pay pricing

No insurance? A fair number of our patients pay directly, somewhere between a quarter and a third of them. Our self-pay prices are flat and listed right here.

Wrenfield Eye Care self-pay prices
ItemPriceNotes
Comprehensive eye exam$132Optomap retinal imaging included.
Contact lens evaluation, standard$79In addition to the exam fee.
Contact lens evaluation, toric or multifocal$119In addition to the exam fee.
Specialty lens fitting (sclerals, keratoconus)Quoted at consultQuoted before anything is ordered. Often a medical-insurance benefit, not a vision-plan one.
Myopia management consult$99Applied toward the program if you enroll. The program itself is a yearly cost we map out at the consult.
Retinal imaging, standalone$39For interim monitoring or recall visits between exams. It’s already included at no extra charge in every comprehensive exam.

Glasses and contact lens prices depend on what you pick, and the optical team quotes everything for you in writing before ordering.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long is a first visit?
Plan on about 45 minutes: paperwork and pre-testing, and then a full thirty minutes with your doctor. Returning patients are usually back out in 40.
What ages do you see?
We see children four and up. Dr. Whitaker handles most of the kids’ exams.
Do I need an appointment for glasses adjustments?
No appointment needed. Walk in any time we’re open, whether or not you bought the glasses from us. If you bought them here, adjustments and minor repairs are free for the life of the frame.
Can I bring an outside prescription to your optical shop?
Yes. We fill outside prescriptions all the time.
How long do glasses take?
Most orders are ready in seven to ten business days. We’ll text you when they come in.
Do contact lens exams include trials?
Yes. You take trial lenses home, wear them for about a week, and then we finalize the fit at a short follow-up before you order a full supply.
Will my eyes be dilated? Is there an alternative?
Optomap retinal imaging is included in every comprehensive exam and often takes the place of routine dilation. Some medical situations still call for dilation, and your doctor will explain why before it happens. If dilation is likely, we’ll tell you when you book so you can plan your drive home.
What is myopia management, in one paragraph?
Kids who are nearsighted usually get more nearsighted every year. Myopia management uses clinically supported methods to slow that progression, which lowers the risk of eye problems later in life. It starts with a $99 consult with Dr. Whitaker, where you get your child’s numbers, the options, and the costs, and then you decide from there. The program is a yearly commitment we walk you through before you enroll, with no pressure.
Can you see me today for a red eye or something in my eye?
Usually, yes. Call when we open at 8:30 and we’ll work you in. Sudden flashes, a curtain over your vision, or a burst of new floaters are different: call right away, don’t wait for us to open.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Give us 24 hours’ notice and there’s no charge. We text a reminder two days ahead.

Still have a question?

Call the front desk, or book online whenever you’re ready.

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