Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m experiencing an emergency?
First. In the case of a crisis situation or health emergency PLEASE CALL 911.
Contact our office immediately if you are experiencing a problem with your eyes or vision
Here are some common situations that should be considered urgent:
Sudden and severe eye pain
Foreign objects in the eye or scratches of the eye surface
Chemical exposure causing pain or vision problems
Sudden vision loss or change in vision
Sudden onset of spots in your vision or flashes of light
If our office is closed call 360-979-1158 and an on-call doctor will advise you.
How long does an eye exam take?
Approximately 45 minutes. However, the length of your exam may vary depending on the complexity of your condition.
I’m scheduled for a contact lens appointment. Is there anything I should know?
If you already wear contacts we prefer you wear your contacts to your appointment. If you are new to the Vision Center it is helpful to bring your contact lens prescription if you have it or any packaging that came with your current contact lenses. We also want to know the names of any solutions you use with your lenses.
How long does it take to get my glasses?
Usually from 1 to 2 weeks. Since all of our eyeglasses are custom made, delivery time varies depending on the frame you choose, the lens you need, and any special lens treatments or coatings you choose.
Do you see seniors or children?
We are a family centered practice and work with patients of all ages.
Is LASIK an option for me?
If you’re considering the possibility of refractive surgery, the options available to you can be discussed with the doctor at the time of your examination. If you’ve already decided you want to have refractive surgery we ask that you notify us prior to your appointment to make the most of your pre-surgery consultation.
What payment methods do you accept?
In addition to billing insurance plans we contract with, we accept: personal checks, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, Care Credit, ApplePay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other contactless payment systems, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.
Do you offer a cash discount?
We extend a 20% discount for our professional examination services provided we are not billing any insurance and all fees are paid at the time of services.
INSURANCE
Please contact us any time with any questions you have about your insurance coverage. Some of the answers to your questions may be found below.
If the Vision Center is not a participating provider with my insurance can I still be seen at your office?
Yes. Your insurance can still be billed either by yourself with receipts from us or we can submit a claim on your behalf. You may also choose us for your eyecare services and pay out of pocket.
Do you accept my insurance and will you bill them?
As a service to our patients we are happy to bill your insurance. We are a participating provider with many vision and medical insurance plans. Some of the more common plans we participate in are listed below. Most insurance companies have multiple plans and may have different provider participation with each plan. This means we may participate in your plan even if you don’t see us listed and we may not participate in all of the plans with companies listed here:
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
EyeMed (some plans)
First Choice Health
Medicare
Molina (through WA state only, not commercial plans)
PacificSource
Premera Blue Cross
Providence
Provider One
Regence
VSP - Vision Service Plan
How can I find out if I even have vision insurance?
Contact your human resources department, your insurance agent, or log on to the member services page of your insurance carrier’s website. If you don’t see us listed with your policy feel free to give us a call and we can check for you.