New Patient Forms

If you are visiting us for the first time, please print and fill out the New Patient Packet. It will save you time in our office if they are finalized and brought with you.

Medical Records Release Form

Patient Portal Login

Insurance Information

At Athens Eye Associates, we follow the rules of your health care insurance to provide you with the highest quality of eye care. Our office staff works hard to send claims quickly to the insurance company for payment so you will not have to pay for covered services. We may need your help to ensure claims are paid in a timely manner to keep all costs affordable.

Schedule an Appointment

We participate in many major health insurance plans. Coverage varies with each patient. Our staff will be happy to assist you in determining your coverage and eligibility prior to your appointment. Below is a list of currently accepted plans.

Aetna
Amerigroup
Assurant Health
Avesis
Beech Street Corporation
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Care Improvement Plus
Cigna
Coventry Healthcare
Eyemed
First Health
GEHA
Health Plan Select
Humana
InStill Health

Kaiser Permanente
Medicare
Medical Mutual
Meritain Health
Met Life Discount Plan
Multiplan
Railroad Medicare
Southeast Community Care
The Mail Handlers Benefit Plan
Tricare
UMR
United Healthcare
Univeral Healthcare
Vision Service Plan (VSP)

If you do not see yours, call us to verify coverage. Not all plans are listed.

Come see our selection of sunglasses including Maui Jim, Ray-Bans, and coming this summer, Costa!

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FAQ

Some Frequently Asked Questions from new and existing clients.

When should my child's eyes be examined?

Vision screening should begin around 3 with your primary care doctor. In the absence of strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), or drooping eyelids, screenings should continue here everyone to two years.

If your child has one of these issues or you have any concern of decreased vision, then a comprehensive eye exam is necessary. Follow-up exams will be determined by your eye doctor. Before your child begins school, a comprehensive exam in our office is recommended.

When should an adult's eyes be examined?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends complete eye exams for adults at least once in their 20’s and twice in their 30’s. Early signs of eye aging and disease may be noted by 40, so baseline screening is recommended then. The frequency of follow up to this baseline screen will be determined based on clinical findings.

After 65, adults should get a comprehensive exam every one to two years to evaluate for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. More frequent monitoring may be necessary based on the results of your exam.

Will working at a computer screen hurt my eyes?

No. Computers will not hurt your eyes. However, prolonged viewing of a computer monitor may make your eyes dry or lead to eye strain or fatigue.

Will sitting too closely to the television hurt my child's eyes?

No. Children are able to view objects at close distances. This will not damage their eyes. However, some children who are near sighted will sit closer because they can see more clearly. If you have concerns about your child, come see us.

How often do I need to get my prescription changed?

The average lifespan of a pair of eyeglasses is about two years, due to prescription changes and damage to lenses or frames. If you notice any vision decrease, have your prescription checked along with a comprehensive eye exam.

Will Medicare pay for my glasses?

Medicare allows a once in a lifetime benefit for glasses following cataract surgery up to $200. Our optical department handles all filing of Medicare and Medicare supplements for this benefit.

What is your contact lens fitting fee?

Our contact lens fitting fees are determined based on the type of lens to be fitted. Each lens type requires a different level of complexity, amount of time spent with the doctor and number of follow-up visits expected. Fees start at $50.

How soon can I get an appointment?

Please contact our office at (706) 549-7047 for the next available appointment with one of our eye care specialists. If you feel you are having an eye emergency, please call our office immediately and our on-call doctor will be more than happy to assist you.

Do you accept walk-ins?

Due to our individualized patient care, we are unable to accept walk-ins. Please call if you are having an emergency or to schedule a routine appointment.

Why is a glasses prescription good for only a year?

Your eyes changes with time. Prescriptions more than a year old may not be accurate and may not provide you the quality vision you would expect from a new pair of glasses.

Does my insurance completely cover the exam?

Medical insurance completely covers eye exams if there is a medical diagnosis that warrants the exam, such as diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, eye symptoms indicating infections, etc.

Also, some insurance companies have a wellness benefit which also covers eye exams. We do accept many of the vision plans such as Avesis, VSP, and EyeMed.

How long will my appointment take?

For a complete eye exam and dilated follow-ups, most patients should plan to be in our office for two hours. Follow-ups not requiring dilation usually take one hour.

Will my eyes be dilated?

There are many different reasons a patient’s eyes need to be dilated, including problems which appear during an initial examination.

Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee a patient’s eyes will not be dilated and you should always plan for it. Patients should plan for dilation if you are new to our practice or those being seen for their yearly eye exam.

Can I drive home after my eyes have been dilated?

Dilation affects each one differently. In most cases, patients are able to drive home with a dark pair of sunglasses.

Disposable shades are available at the front desk. Any patient who is unsure of how dilation will affect their vision, or has never had their eyes dilated, is strongly advised to have a driver.

NEWS & EVENTS

Home—it’s where folks take care of each other. Athens is not only where we practice; it is the community we invest in. From Congressional visitors to families with Habitat for Humanity, Athens Choral Society to the Mercy Health Center, Tough Mudder to Free IT Athens, we are in the middle of it. See you around!

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