About Insurance Plans
We perform a wide range of examinations and services at MarinEyes. We are in-plan providers for many insurances, both vision plans and health insurances. There are several things you can do to make the insurance billing process easier, regardless of your specific plan. What You Can Do
Health Insurance
Prior to your departure, you will see our health insurance staff to check out. We participate in the Marin IPA plans, most local, regional and national health insurance plans. We are Participating Providers for Medicare. These plans generally cover medical or surgical eye problems but in distinction from Vision Plan Insurance, do NOT cover "routine" eye exams , glasses and contact lenses (there are exceptions, so check with your benefits manager to clarify your coverage). Our fees are similar to those established throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Vision Plan Insurance
We participate in many "vision service plans" as well. In contrast with health insurance, these plans typically provide benefits for things such as routine exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, coverage policies of these plans vary quite a bit and you need to check with your benefits provider to verify your benefits.
We participate with VSP, Medical Eye Services, and many other vision plans. These plans are generally separate from your health insurance. They generally DO cover "routine eye exams" (although the extensiveness of the covered service varies by plan, and may not include pupillary dilation), prescription and provision of glasses and contact lenses. They generally do NOT cover evaluation or treatment for eye diseases. If eye diseases are detected during the covered "vision exam," you will need to make a separate follow-up visit for assessment and treatment of the disease problem. Typically the disease visit will be covered under your health insurance rather than the vision plan insurance. Please check with our Billing Department staff to clarify the nature of your vision plan coverage. Here is a partial list of contracted insurances as of September, 2004. Please verify our participation with your plan when you make your appointment.
Payment is expected at the time of service
This is true regardless of what kind of insurance you have. We will assist you in processing your insurance claims. If your insurance requires a referral from your primary care physician, it is essential that you obtain this prior to your appointment and bring it with you on the day of your examination.
We have preferred provider contracts with the following plans
If you have some other insurance plan, you may be eligible for "out-of-plan" benefits. Check with your insurance company or benefits coordinator at work.
| Admar |
| Aetna |
| Beechstreet |
| Blue Cross |
| Blue Shield |
| Cigna |
| Compbenefits |
| Coventry First Health |
| Galaxy Health Network |
| Great West Healthcare |
| HealthNet |
| Interplan |
| Marin IPA |
| Medi-Cal |
| Medicare |
| MES (Medical Eye Services) |
| Multiplan |
| Northbay Health Partners |
| PHCS |
| Sutter Select |
| USA MCO |
| VSP (Vision Service Plan) |