Billing
1. Do you participate in Medicare and accept Medicaid?
2. Will you bill my insurance company?
3. What happens if I do not have insurance?
4. Will my medical insurance cover an eye exam?

Scheduling
1. Which doctors are seeing new patients?
2. How long do I have to wait for an appointment?
3. What is your appointment cancellation policy?
4. How long does an exam take?
5. Can I schedule more than one family member at the same time?
6. Do you see infants and children?
7. Do you provide bilingual services?

General Office Questions
1. Is your office wheelchair accessible?
2. What are your office hours?

The Difference Between The O's
1. Ophthalmologist
2. Optometrist
3. Optician
4. Orthoptist
5. Why see an Ophthalmologist?

Billing

Do you participate in Medicare and accept Medicaid?

Yes, we participate in Medicare and accept Medicaid. Patients are asked to bring in their insurance information so that the billing can be done properly. Some Medicaid patients that are covered by a managed care insurance may need prior approval to be seen in our office. Please call our receptionist and she will be able to assist you.

Will you bill my insurance company?

We participate in most major insurance companies. In some cases, we will be able to do a courtesy bill for you to your insurance company. Please bring you insurance card with you to the appointment so a copy can be scanned into your record.

What happens if I do not have insurance?

We offer a 15% discount if paid by cash or check at the time of service. If payment is made by credit card, we offer a 10% discount. You may also opt to pay in increments, with one third of the cost of the exam paid at the time of service and the reminder within three months of the date of service.

Will my medical insurance cover an eye exam?

Medical insurance will cover an eye exam if there is a medical need for the visit.


Scheduling

Which doctors are seeing new patients?

Dr. Burnstein is seeing all of our new and current patients.

How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

If you are experiencing an emergency, we will be able to see you the same day; otherwise most patients can be seen within a week.

What is your appointment cancellation policy?

We ask that at least a 24-hour notice be given for any cancellation.

How long does an exam take?

A comprehensive eye exam is fast and convenient. You will be done in less than one hour, with no need for eye dilation, thanks to new technology called Optomap.

Can I schedule more than one family member at the same time?

Generally, we can schedule two family members at the same time. Calling early will ensure than this option is available for the day you wish to make an appointment.

Do you see infants and children?

Yes, we can examine infants and children from birth.

Do you provide bilingual services?

Yes, we actually provide multi-lingual services. Our administrator is fluent in French and Spanish.


General Office Questions

Is your office wheelchair accessible?

Yes

What are your office hours?

Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for our Optical. For your convenience, our optical department is open during lunch hours. We make every effort to keep on schedule. However, due to the nature of our specialty and medical care, unexpected delays may occur. Please call us as soon as possible should you be delayed or need to reschedule.


The Difference Between The O's

Ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are M.D.s, medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care. An ophthalmologist (M.D.) can provide a variety of eye care services, from prescribing eyeglasses to performing complex eye surgery. In addition to the three to four years of college followed by four years of medical school and one year in a general medical internship, ophthalmologists spend a minimum of three additional years of residency in hospital-based training and eye clinics. Ophthalmologists often spend an additional one to two years training in a subspecialty area such as retina or glaucoma. After spending upwards of 14 years of higher education, many ophthalmologists are "Board-Certified," which means he or she has passed a rigorous two-part examination given by the American Board of Ophthalmology. This exam tests not only the doctor's medical knowledge, but also the ability to provide expert care to patients.

Optometrist. Similar to an Ophthalmologist, an optometrist (O.D.) is also a professional of the eye care industry. They attend 2 to 4 years of college and up to 4 years of optometry school. An optometrist, while often mistaken as a physician, is not a medical doctor and does not generally have the training to do intraocular surgery or treat some eye conditions. They are, however, trained and licensed to test eyes and to treat visual defects by prescribing and adapting corrective lenses and other optical aids such as contact lenses. In most states, optometrists can also use drugs to diagnose eye abnormalities and treat certain eye disorders.

Optician. An optician is a person trained in the science, craft and art of optics as applied to interpreting the Ophthalmologist's or Optometrist's prescription and making the proper glasses and contact lenses. An optician cannot examine the eyes or prescribe eyeglasses or medication, but he or she can help you find the best fit of frames, lenses or contact lenses for the Rx you have received. Our certified opticians will ensure that you choose a frame that enhances your appearance as well as ensuring both the ideal fit and suitability of the lenses and frame to your style of life.

Orthoptist. An Orthoptist is a person trained to evaluate motor and sensory aspects of strabismus (eye muscle problems). They investigate, diagnose and treat such defects and abnormalities of eye movement and alignment. Although much of their work is with children, they also treat patients of all ages who have conditions ranging from squints to 'lazy eye' or double vision. Through an interpretation of testing procedures and clinical evaluation, an orthoptist will assist your eye doctor devise a proper treatment plan, which usually will incorporate eye exercises, surgical treatment or a combination of the two.

Why see an Ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists, like Dr. Boys Smith and Dr. Burnstein, are doctors of Medicine who specialize in surgical treatment and prevention of eye disease. They are highly trained in the field of general medicine - the eye and sometimes particular eye disease or area of the eye like ophthalmic plastic surgery, and glaucoma. Each of the areas require additional training and education. Ophthalmologists provide a full spectrum of care including routine eye exams, diagnosis and medical treatment for eyes and suggets a particular type of lens specific for each patient, surgery, and management of eye problems caused by systemic illness.

On average, an ophthalmologist who specializes in a certain area of the eye ie, Glaucoma or Retina, requires 6 years of medical school, and 3 years exclusively doing ophthalmology followed by 1 or 2 years of special training in a chosen area, like glaucoma. Amounting upwards of 12 years of training past university level.

Ophthalmologists are different from optometrists and opticians in their training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses.

An optician - licensed by a state to make optical aids - fits, adjusts and dispenses eyeglasses, contact lenses and other optical devices on written prescriptions of a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. Training for an optician varies from a preceptorship to two years of opticianry school.