Author: drriffel

Update on VSP Vision Plan Billing

Important Information for VSP Patients – Effective July 1, 2023

Since 2019, our office has routinely billed VSP (Vision Service Plan) as an “Open-Access Provider.”

What is Open Access?
Open access means that although our office is not “In-Network” for your plan, that we “accept assignment”, bill VSP, and have them send your out-of-network reimbursement directly to us versus you. Until earlier this year, VSP was relatively reliable in sending payment checks within 4-6 weeks.

What has Changed?
VSP is now denying claims on arbitrary and nonsense reasons, OR they are not paying claims at all – no response or denial, even after repeated claims submissions. VSP also refuses to speak with doctors who have questions, unless you are an in-network provider – they will only speak with you, their customer/patient. In addition, when our office cashes a reimbursement check from VSP, we have to accept terms including potential audits from VSP even though we have no contract with them!

What does this mean for you?
As of July 1st, all VSP patients will be required to pay in full for your eye exam at the time of service, and then file directly with VSP for reimbursement.

WE WANT TO STRESS THAT YOUR TOTAL OUT OF POCKET COST WILL NOT CHANGE!

The only difference is that the check will be mailed to YOU instead of US (typically in 2-3 weeks.)

We will be happy to provide you with an itemized receipt and detailed instructions on how to claim your reimbursement. It’s easy and only takes about five minutes.

Still Confused?
Here are a couple of examples:

OLD Procedure (we bill VSP):

Basic Exam Fee:

$99.00 – Your cost $45.00, VSP pays us $45.00 – Your total cost $54.00

NEW Procedure (You submit to VSP):

Basic Exam Fee:

$99.00 – Your cost $99.00, VSP pays YOU $45.00 – Your total cost $54.00

We are sorry for the inconvenience, and we hope we can resume billing your plan directly in the future. If you have further questions, please contact our office via text or email at 702-341-0255; eyedoc@DrRiffel.com

 

Yes, you should “floss” your eyes! (Well, you should deep clean them daily….) with Hypochlorous Acid

When it comes to hygiene and keeping the eyelids and eyelashes clean, hypochlorous acid (HOCL) has become a popular choice for many. HOCL is a naturally occurring molecule that is produced by the human body and has the ability to cleanse and disinfect various surfaces and even wounds.

HOCL is known for its broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it an ideal choice for cleaning the delicate area around the eyes. It is gentle on the skin and can be used to reduce the risk of eye infections, styes, and dry eye syndrome.

The Benefits of Using Hypochlorous Acid to Clean Eyelids and Eyashes

The eyelids and eyelashes are among the most sensitive areas of the body. Therefore, it is important to use the right products to clean and protect this area. Hypochlorous acid is a natural, safe, and non-toxic solution that can be used to clean eyelids and eyelashes. This solution is gentle and non-irritating, so it is suitable to use around the eyes.

1. Prevention of Styes

Styes are caused by bacteria that get trapped in the oil glands of the eyelids. Bacteria can enter the eye area when eyelids are not properly cleaned and can cause infection. HOCL has the ability to kill these bacteria and reduce the risk of styes. It is also an effective treatment for existing styes, as it reduces inflammation and accelerates healing. HOCL can be safely used to clean the eyelids and the eyelashes, and it can be used to treat existing styes to reduce discomfort and accelerate healing.

2. Treatment for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a common condition that can be caused by environmental factors, such as air pollution, and lifestyle factors, such as looking at screens for long periods of time. Symptoms of dry eyes include irritation, redness, and a feeling of grittiness in the eyes. HOCL can be used to soothe the eye area and reduce dryness. It also has the ability to reduce inflammation, which can provide relief from pain and discomfort associated with dry eyes.

3. Reduction in Eye Irritation

Eye irritation is common and can be caused by a number of factors, such as dust, pollen, and contact lenses. HOCL can be used to clean the eye area and remove irritants, reducing eye irritation. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling.

Overall, hypochlorous acid is an effective and safe choice for cleaning the eyelids and eyelashes. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to prevent infections, reduce dryness, and reduce eye irritation. It is a safe and non-toxic solution that is gentle on the skin, making it suitable for use around the eyes.

Using HOCL is an effective way to keep the eyelids and eyelashes clean and healthy. It can help to reduce the risk of infection, treat dry eye syndrome, and reduce eye irritation. It is also a gentle and non-toxic solution that is safe to use around the delicate eye area. Therefore, it is an ideal choice for those looking for an effective and safe way to clean their eyes and eyelashes.

Is digital device screen time affecting your child’s eyes?

A question I get asked all day, every day, is how much our digital device harms my child’s eyes. As we know, digital device use has become pervasive in our society, and our children simply can’t avoid screen time. We’re on our phones, tablets, computers, TV X, and DVD players in the car, so our kids are often exposed to screens. I always tell my patients that our eyes were designed for hunting mammoths and not for staring at screens.   I say that jokingly, but our eyes were designed for hunting and gathering and not to stare at tiny 4-inch screens inches from our faces.

When we look up close, our eyes have to work hard. Those muscles have to crank in and maintain an exhausting effort. Think of the analogy of picking up a 1-pound weight in the morning with your arm- early in the morning, your bicep thinks this task is effortless. Still, you continue to hold that 1-pound weight all day long, and your muscles are fatigued by the end of the day. The same thing is happening with our focusing muscles. The other thing to remember about looking at near –  we optometrists call that “near point” – is that it also requires aiming skills. Fifty percent of our time should be spent focusing, and 50% of our time should be spent aiming. Suppose you spend 80% of your effort focusing because of the near-point stress. In that case, there’s not enough muscular energy left to aim your eyes,  and this can lead to problems with reading speed, comprehension, missed words, and skipping lines. It can actually lead to learning difficulties.

We have kids in our practices who have been diagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia. They have visual ocular motor deficiencies, eye teaming, or eye focusing problems. If you suspect your child is having a learning issue,  speak with your school resource counselor to rule out any psychological, neurological, or health problems that could be underlying problems,  but don’t forget to bring your child in for a comprehensive eye exam so that we can check their eye teaming,  depth perception,  eye alignment, and focusing ability. Sometimes it can be that simple.

More details on the new presbyopia eye drop, Vuity

Hello!  For those of you who are interested in the scientific details behind the new presbyopia eye drop (to increase focusing ability without reading glasses), here is a bit more info:

Meet Vuity.
Allergan received early FDA approval for the first and only eye drop to treat presbyopia.

Tell me more.
Vuity (view-eh-tee) is an optimized formulation of pilocarpine (1.25%) delivered with proprietary pHast technology that allows Vuity to rapidly adjust to the physiologic pH of the tear film.

How does this drop work?
Pilocarpine is a cholinergic muscarinic agonist that activates muscarinic receptors located at smooth muscles such as the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles. Vuity contracts the iris sphincter muscle, constricting the pupil to improve near and intermediate visual acuity while maintaining some pupillary response to light. Vuity also contracts the ciliary muscle and may shift the eye to a more myopic state.

What is the dosing?
Vuity is a once daily prescription eye drop that works in as quickly as 15 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours to improve near and intermediate vision without affecting distance vision.

And the clinical trials?
The FDA approval of Vuity is based on data from two pivotal phase 3 clinical studies, GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2, which evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Vuity for the treatment of presbyopia. In both studies, Vuity met the primary endpoint, reaching statistical significance in improvement in near vision in low light conditions without a loss of distance vision compared with placebo on day 30 at hour 3.

Any adverse events?
The most common adverse events (>5%) were headache and eye redness.

Any info on the cost of the drop?
No pricing information has been released yet, but it will be a cash pay drop available at most brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

When can I prescribe this?
No word yet on when we will be able to prescribe this drop. Stay tuned for details!

“Reading Glasses” Eyedrops

Soooooo……VERY exciting news! The FDA as of November 4th has approved “VUITY”, the first and only FDA-approved drop to treat presbyopia. What is presbyopia? It’s the age-related condition that hits EVERY SINGLE PERSON on earth around the age of 40-ish. Symptoms include difficulty seeing fine print, having to hold reading materials further away, or getting eye strain and/or headaches when looking up close. It’s the age where you find yourself hitting the “readers” section at the drugstore or the age when Dr. Riffel has to mention that dreaded word “bifocals.”