Simplifying Eye Exams: Private Pay vs. Insurance

Private pay versus insurance: which option is better for your eye care and treatment? Let's break it down for you. Maintaining eye health is essential for every individual. At Eye Clinic of Sandpoint, our goal is to promote good eye health and enable you to have the clearest vision possible. Eye health is complex and may be associated with other underlying health conditions. We provide comprehensive eye exams for both adults and children. This includes taking a general health history, eye health history, vision check, refraction, and eye function check, as well as dilation.

Private Pay vs. Insurance

We accept various forms of payment, with private pay and insurance being the major options. We often receive questions about whether private pay is better than insurance and vice versa. While each has its own benefits and disadvantages, private pay stands out for its convenience and patient comfort.

•             Private Pay: With private pay, patients use their own resources to pay for healthcare services. It is an "out of pocket" payment method that offers several advantages. Private pay covers all eye care services, requires shorter waiting times compared to insurance, and ensures additional privacy regarding your health (i.e. insurance cannot request your records). There is never a surprise month down the road because payment is made at the time of service. With private pay, you and your doctor dictate the method of treatment, offering greater control over your health, which is especially convenient for emergency cases. We also have our Eye Care Savings Program that will save each patient additional money. Please reach out to the clinic for additional information on our new Eye Care Savings Program.

•             Insurance Pay: With insurance pay, clients use a health insurance policy to cover health services. This option will require more time for you and the doctor. This option can also accrue costs such as copays, fees, and deductibles. In today’s world, high deductible insurance plans are commonplace.  Each patient must meet their deductible before insurance will begin to contribute for exams.  This means that you will be responsible for more upfront.

Book a Consultation at Eye Clinic of Sandpoint

Our optometrists are dedicated to providing quality eye care services to improve and promote good vision for our patients. We offer both private pay and insurance options for your eye treatment. During your medical eye exam, your doctor will ask questions about any symptoms you may be experiencing such as dry eye, cataract glare and shadows, night time blur, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Contact an Eye Doctor Near You

If you are in or around Sandpoint, be sure to visit Eye Clinic of Sandpoint located at 307 S. First Avenue in Sandpoint. We focus on examining all health conditions that may contribute to eye problems and providing appropriate treatment. Book your appointment with us today!