Billing FAQs

We understand that medical billing can be confusing. Below are answers to common billing questions patients ask about insurance, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and patient balances.

  • Insurance does not always cover the full cost of your visit. Depending on your plan, you may still be responsible for a copay, deductible, coinsurance, non-covered service, or remaining balance after your insurance processes the claim.

  • We send patient statements after insurance has processed the claim and made any applicable payments. Sometimes insurance processing can take time. If you receive a statement months after your visit, it usually means insurance has finished processing and there is now a remaining patient balance.

  • A deductible is the amount your insurance plan requires you to pay before your insurance begins paying for certain covered services. If your deductible has not been met, your insurance may process the visit but leave part or all of the allowed amount as your responsibility.

  • A copay is usually a fixed amount you pay for a visit, such as a set office visit fee. Coinsurance is usually a percentage of the allowed charge that you are responsible for after insurance processes the claim. Your insurance plan determines whether a copay, coinsurance, or deductible applies.

  • Some visits include medical concerns or findings that require billing through medical insurance instead of, or in addition to, routine vision benefits. Examples may include diabetes, dry eye, eye pain, cataracts, glaucoma concerns, flashes/floaters, infections, or other medical eye conditions. Medical insurance and vision insurance cover different parts of eye care, and coverage depends on the reason for the visit and your specific plan.

  • A copay is not always the full amount owed. After insurance processes your claim, your plan may assign additional responsibility to you, such as deductible, coinsurance, or non-covered services. If that happens, you may receive a statement for the remaining balance.

  • Coverage depends on your insurance plan. Some services may apply to your deductible, require coinsurance, be considered non-covered, or have limitations under your plan. If you have questions about how your insurance processed the claim, your Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company can help explain what was paid and what was left as patient responsibility.

  • An Explanation of Benefits, often called an EOB, is a statement from your insurance company explaining how they processed your claim. It is not a bill from our office. It usually shows the amount billed, the insurance adjustment, what insurance paid, and what amount may be your responsibility.

  • Yes. We understand that unexpected balances can be difficult, and we are flexible with payment arrangements. Please submit a billing question or contact our billing team so we can review your account and discuss available options.

  • You can pay your bill online using the Pay a Bill button. If you have a question about your balance before making a payment, please submit a billing question and our team will review your account.

  • Please include the patient’s full name, date of birth, the date of service if known, a brief description of the question, and the best way to contact you. If your question is about insurance, it may also help to include a copy or photo of your statement or Explanation of Benefits.

  • Billing questions are reviewed in the order they are received. Please allow 2–3 business days for a response.