Fees and Insurance
We participate with many major insurance plans. Our billing staff will be happy to answer any
of your insurance questions at 517-337-0331. See sidebar for whether we participate with your insurance plan.

Why didn't my insurance pay for my exam?
There are two types of insurance that cover eye care, Vision Insurance and Medical Insurance. Lansing Ophthalmology must bill the appropriate insurance as legally directed.

Vision Insurance – (Blue Cross Vision, Cole Vision, etc.)
This type of insurance covers routine vision care (i.e. regular eye exams for glasses and contacts) when no medical eye problem or related complaint specifically exists.

For a list of common diagnoses for which Vision Insurance would be billed, click here.

Medical Insurance – (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Aetna, etc.)
This type of insurance provides benefits for the treatment of medical problems including medical eye problems. To obtain coverage under medical insurance, a symptom or complaint indicative of eye disease, eye injury, or a chronic medical condition is the reason for your visit.

Although the examination that you receive may be the same or similar to previous visits, the reason for the exam and the doctor’s diagnosis dictate how we must bill our patients.

For a list of common diagnoses for which Medical Insurance would be billed, click here.

Common misconception #1:
I came in for my yearly eye exam – shouldn’t it be billed to my vision insurance?
If you have a medical concern such as cataracts, blurry or dry eyes, or any medical diagnosis and medical insurance must be billed.

Common misconception #2:
Why do I have a $30 charge for a ‘refraction fee’?
A refraction is a test generally used to determine how well a person sees. Refractions may be necessary for the physician to diagnose your eye condition.

If you have a medical problem, your visit must be billed to your medical insurance and you may still need a refraction. Unfortunately, refractions are not covered by some insurances, such as Medicare, even if a patient has glaucoma, cataracts, etc.