For many of our patients each year has brought yet another change in their insurance benefits.  Sometimes it is a change in the deductible or copayment.  For the past several years we have seen changes in the carriers for vision coverage for many patients, not only those working or retired from the automotive industry, but for teachers, hospital employees and others.  This year we have seen vision benefits eliminated.

While we all value our benefits, because they are being paid for in most cases by our employer, we do not have the information to evaluate the cost for the actual benefit.  Because the employer must insure all members of the group, whether they need or use routine vision benefits or not, the cost to the employer for the benefit their employees receive may not make sense.  And, for you as the patient, the increase in out-of-pocket expense may not be as much as you think or something that is onerous to your family budget.

Many of our patients see our doctors because they need medical ophthalmology care.  The yearly eye exam is not just a "routine" vision exam for glasses.  So, if that applies to you, your examination and refraction would be billed to your medical insurance carrier, for example Medicare or Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Medicare considers the refraction (the better one, better two) part of the yearly exam as routine and does not pay for this service.  Yet, other medical carriers MAY pay based on the medical diagnosis.  In either case, the medical portion of your exam is a covered benefit and the out of pocket expense for the refraction would be no more than $50.00.

  
When you think about it, your employer was paying hundreds of dollars for insurance to get just a $50 benefit for you if you don't need glasses.  That doesn't make sense.  And, even if you do need glasses, the insurance allowance for frames and lenses, in most cases, never covers the glasses in full.  Your "benefit" was worth less than $100 towards prescription eyewear or contact lenses. So, even if you get new glasses every year you can budget an additional $10 per month for your eye care over prior out-of-pocket costs.

If you have no medical eye condition an annual eye examination is very affordable and your good vision is worth preserving at any cost.  At Wilkinson Eye Center we are committed to quality care, high quality prescription eyewear AND good value for our patient.  If you have vision insurance, that's great!  But if not, it's just not as bad as you might have thought!

 

If you have questions or concerns, we want to help.  Don't hesitate to contact us!

 

 

What we have may surprise you!  With a wide selection of frames, quality lenses to give you the best vision, competitive prices, and expert Opticians to help you pick the glasses or contacts that best fit your lifestyle.  We even accept most vision insurance plans to help you make the most of your benefits.

 

Both our Pontiac and Clarkston location have full-service optical departments for your convenience.  Each of our knowledgeable Opticians have over 20 years of experience and welcome any questions you may have.

 

Our selection of designer frames include: Nike, Nautica, Liz Claiborne, Nine West, OGI, Carrera, Coach, Jessica McClintock, Prodesign Denmark, BCBG and many more.  Many styles include a magnetic clip for sun protection.  Of course, we also have many styles of sunglasses available.  Whether you're looking for prescription glasses or sunglasses, just ask us if you don't find a style you like: we can often special order from our many catalogues.

 

We also have the latest technology in eyeglass lenses including the Transitions IV changeable lenses, High-Definition progressive lenses including the Zeiss Individual, polarized sun lenses and hydrophobic anti-reflective lenses.  We work with you to pick the lenses that best serve your vision needs and your budget.

 

We tailor our pricing to fit most every budget, with frame prices starting as low as $25.00.  Every budget is unique, especially in difficult economic times, but you don't have to sacrifice quality.  Let us help!  You might be surprised by what you find at Wilkinson Eye Center Optical.

 

 

Whether you have become our patient recently or been with us for most of your life, you've doubtless formed an opinion of the Wilkinson Eye Center, our staff, and our services.  Hopefully your opinion is a good one, but as the saying goes "you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"!  We know this full well.  Therefore, we strive to do whatever we are able to fix or improve whatever displeases our patients.
 
We are in a tough economy, money is tight, and our health is very valuable to us.  Therefore it is reasonable to expect quality service for our hard-earned money and precious time!  We invite you to take our Patient Satisfaction survey.  Studies show that most of us only give feedback if we're very happy or very upset.  We want your input from either extreme and everything in between!  If we missed the opportunity to inform you of the survey while you were at our office, we apologize and ask you for your feedback now.  Or, if you've already taken the survey but have had another visit since that time, please take it again!  We'd like to know if your experience changed at all. 
 
This survey is an extremely valuable tool for us.  It allows us to assess every aspect of our practice - from our first phone conversation with you to that bill you receive in the mail.  It emphasizes areas we already know we do well or that need work and brings to light surprises that we'd never have known about otherwise!  We have already implemented solutions to many of your suggestions - from better chairs in the waiting room to staff training in helping you with frustrations you've faced.  Of course, we greatly appreciate knowing when you've appreciated something as well.  It raises morale and makes us even better at serving you!
 
So please, take a few moments to complete the survey and leave us your comments.  It's only a few "I agree/I disagree" and 4 response questions.  You're our patient and we want to serve you with a servant's heart.  Thanks in advance!