New Treatment for Macular holes

Recent approval of Jetrea (Ocriplasmin) to treat symptomatic VMA (Vitreo Macular Adhesion) has opened up a new era in non surgical management of macular holes. Previously only a hospital based surgery was able to reverse the process of macular hole development but now a new drug can be injected into the eye painlessly in the office and within a few weeks the process reverses back to more normal vision levels....  more


FDA Approves ASRS Leader's ArgusŪ II Artificial Retina

On February 14, the FDA approved the Argus II artificial retina developed by ASRS Executive Committee and Board Member Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.

This breakthrough technology is the first ever to offer limited vision to patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

 Second Sight Medical Products (Sylmar, CA) manufactures the Argus II implant, which has 60 electrodes and a tiny camera mounted on eyeglasses to capture images.

 The FDA approved Argus II for adults age 25 years or older with severe to profound RP. About 10,000 to 15,000 of the 100,000 Americans with RP will qualify for Argus II. Up to 4,000 patients a year can be treated with the device.


...  more


Macular degeneration and Aspirin?

Aspirin and Macular degeneration... is there an increase in the wet form of macular degeneration in those patients taking aspirin? The wet form develops quicker than the dry form. It may only be related to the fact that you are more likely to take aspirin if you have medical problems like stroke or heart attacks in the past and these conditions are more commonly associated with wet age related macular degeneration. ...  more

Practice Policies

 

Financial Policies


Revised 6/7/2011

 

General Payment Information:

  • Co-Payments, co-insurances, deductibles and self-pay charges must be paid at the time of your appointment.
  • We accept Cash, Checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and CareCredit Accounts.  Personal checks are accepted if drawn from a bank in North Carolina.
  • There will be a $20.00 fee assessed on any and all returned checks.
  • Each patient must complete all necessary forms and provide a photo ID for proper identification.

 

  • Billing Procedures: We will file all insurance claims on behalf of our patients as a courtesy to you; therefore it is imperative that all insurance documentation provided to us is accurate and up-to-date. While we file the claim reflecting the cost of your visit, your policy is an arrangement between you and your insurance company directly.  Keep in mind, no insurance company will cover all medical costs; some pay a percentage, while others pay a fixed amount for qualifying procedures.  You are responsible for paying the balance due on your account not covered by your insurance.

 

  • Re-Scheduled, Canceled Appointment, and No-Show Appointment Charges:  A $50.00, non-refundable charge will be assessed on your account if you re-schedule, cancel or do not show for an appointment with less than 24 hours notice, or if you do not show up for an appointment.

 

  • Collection Process: Our office accepts cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and CareCredit for payment.  Please request a consultation with one of our financial counselors if you have questions about paying for your bill from our practice. You may contact them anytime between the hours of 8AM and 5PM at (252) 758-2402.

 

  • Delinquent Accounts: If is our policy to submit unpaid insurance and patient balances to Statewide Collections Company of Charlotte, NC. In the event that you carry a balance on your account for two months without payment, Statewide will try to contact you to collect this balance. When submitted to Statewide, you still make payments on your account to the following address: East Carolina Retina Consultants, PO Box 9617, Belfast, ME 04915-9617. If efforts to contact you by Statewide are not successful, and payment in full is not received or a payment plan is not agreed upon, your account will be sent to the Bad Debt section of Statewides Collections, where your credit rating may be lowered. At this point, you will handle all payments through Statewide directly, and we will disconnect our patient relationship with you.

 

  • Surgical Coordination & Financial Arrangements: If your physician discovers that surgery is necessary for your condition, whether in-patient or outpatient, you will meet with our Surgical Coordinator to make arrangements. Depending on the necessity of your treatment, your physician may elect to have your procedure completed same-day.  Your Surgical Coordinator will provide an estimate for the cost of the procedure/surgery and discuss payment options with you at that time. Please note that our services are separate from the hospital, and you will be billed separately by the hospital and anesthesiologist if in-patient surgery is needed.

 

Specific Payment Information For:

 

Patients Without Insurance:

  • If you do not have insurance, you must be prepared to pay for services rendered on the day of your appointment before leaving our practice.
  • If you have concerns about our charges for visits, please see one of our financial counselors BEFORE your appointment to make necessary arrangements; otherwise your bill will be due in full following your visit with your physician.
  • If you are unable to pay for your bill in full, please contact CareCredit at www.CareCredit.com to establish a credit account that can be used to pay for services rendered at East Carolina Retina Consultants.
  • Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for assistance from other agencies.  See a member of our staff for further information.

 

Patients With Insurance:

  • Present your current insurance card for our records and be prepared to pay the co-payment/co-insurance/deductible amount your insurance requires for a Specialist visit.
  • If you cannot make the payment in full for the balance due after insurance then we ask that you contact CareCredit at www.CareCredit.com or you may call them at (800) 677-0718 to establish a credit account to pay for your services received at our practice.
  • Your appointment will be rescheduled if co-payments are not made the day of your appointment, unless you have an emergent condition.
  • If you have questions about these policies, please call and speak to a member of our staff before your appointment date.

Medicaid Patients:

  • If you are an enrollee in the Medicaid program you must present your Medicaid Card and be prepared to pay your co-payment of $3.00 the day of your visit.
  • If you cannot pay your required co-payment, your appointment will be re-scheduled unless it is of an emergent nature.

 

Worker’s Compensation Cases:

  • If you are referred to East Carolina Retina Consultants due to an on-the-job injury, you must provide us with your employer’s worker’s compensation policy information and a contact name and telephone number for your employer.
  • Failure to provide this information will result in your visit being re-scheduled, unless you agree to pay the charges for the day’s visit in full, or unless your eye condition is emergent.
  • Any money received from you will be refunded upon receipt of payment from your employer’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance Plan.

 

Third Party Payers:

  • If you are being represented by an attorney as a result of an accident or injury and are expecting reimbursement from a third party, you are still responsible for your bill at the time the services are provided.
  • No arrangements will be made based on prospective third party payments; however, we will refund payments received upon receipt of payment from the third party.