Frequently Asked Questions

The type of eye exam you have is determined by your chief complaint, as well as your diagnosis. Most medical insurance plans do not pay for “vision” services. Most vision plans do not pay for “medical” exams. GOES does not participate in vision plans and is typically not considered a participating provider for the purposes of routine vision appointments.

All visits with GOES physicians will be billed to your medical insurance. When you schedule your appointment, please let us know the reason for your visit, and what insurance plans you have. If your complaint is likely to be considered a routine vision appointment, we will refer you back to your optometrist.

It is your responsibility to know your insurance benefits. Not all services are a covered benefit in all policies, so it is very important that you understand the provisions of your individual policy. Insurance companies determine what services they will or will not pay for. Thus, we cannot guarantee payment of all services by your insurance company. Reduction or rejection of your claim does not relieve you of your financial responsibility.

Please Note: Diagnoses are made based on medical information, not based on coverage by insurance companies. GOES is unable to change your diagnosis solely for the purpose of receiving reimbursement from an insurance carrier.

Appointment times vary depending on the type of appointment. A full dilated exam can take 1-2 hours.

Your ophthalmologist will determine whether your eyes need to be dilated. A thorough, dilated exam allows your doctor to have a better view of the back of your eye to detect and diagnose common eye diseases and conditions at their earliest stages including diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and more.

Everybody responds differently to dilating drops, but on average, your eyes will remain dilated for up to 8 hours after your appointment. Some patients may stay dilated longer. If you forget your sunglasses, we will be happy to provide you with disposable lenses for your trip home.

• Current insurance cards
• Current photo ID
• Current medication list
• Your most recent glasses and/or contact lenses (both distance and near)
• Co-payment, if applicable
• An insurance referral if your plan requires one

If a written or online referral is required by your plan, you are responsible for ensuring our office receives the referral before your visit. If you do not have a valid referral form at the time of your visit, you will be expected to pay for your services at the time of the visit or to reschedule the visit.

If it is a life threatening emergency, please go to the emergency room. If you have an eye emergency after normal business hours, please call (937) 324-3937 and follow the prompts for the name and number of the physician on call.

Most prescription refill needs should be addressed during your appointments. In cases where a refill is needed in- between appointments, you may call the prescription refill line at (937) 505-8536 and leave a message. Your message should include:

• Patient name
• Date of birth
• Next appointment date
• Phone number you can be reached at today
• Pharmacy name
• Pharmacy phone number
• Are the prescriptions mail order?
• Medications to be refilled

Please allow 24 hours before checking your pharmacy.

We discourage patients from coming to the clinic to obtain refills.

We will complete forms (disability, FMLA, etc.) at no charge, however please allow 2 weeks for the forms to be completed. When you drop off your forms, you will be asked to complete a coversheet with the following information: Name, Phone Number, First date of leave, Expected return to work date, Reason for leave. We will contact you when the forms are ready to be picked up.

We encourage you to actively participate in your health care and ask questions of our physicians and clinical staff during your visit. If you have questions after you leave clinic, please call us at (937) 324-3937 and ask to speak with a technician. It is possible all technicians may be with patients. In this case, please leave a message and your call will be returned after clinic is finished, same day.

Additionally, a summary of your visit is posted on our patient portal. A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to their personal health information from anywhere with an internet connection. A list of your medications and your exam notes are available to view at your convenience within 24 hours of your visit.

The portal also allows you to:

• Send the practice a Secure Email Message
• Update your information – Medications, History, or Contact information
• Receive appointment reminders

Your email address is kept private! We do not sell or share your information with anyone. If you would like an invite to use the portal, please give your email address to the receptionist.