LASIK Is Less Expensive Long-Term Option
(KANSAS CITY) - Most of the 1.3 million Americans who are expected to have LASIK this year would probably say the ability to see when they first wake up in the morning is priceless.
Many employers allow employees to earmark several thousands of dollars to help pay for a variety of elective procedures, ranging from acupuncture and cosmetic surgery to LASIK. The allocated money for health spending accounts is tax free and taken directly from employees’ paychecks, much like a 401K plan. Patients are encouraged to plan ahead and to use all the money in their flexible spending accounts by the end of April as unused money will be forfeited.
For those whose companies do not offer flexible spending accounts, LASIK may still be the more economical option for the long-term compared to the cost of glasses and contacts. Based on industry standards, the cost of LASIK is one-half to one-fourth the cost of glasses and contacts: over a 20-year period, the cost of glasses is $6,000; soft contacts are $12,000; disposable contacts are $16,000; and the average price for LASIK is $3,600.
Patients who are considering LASIK, but are concerned about the cost, should first determine how much money they can put into their flexible spending or health savings account to help fund the cost. Second, patients should weigh the long-term cost savings. While LASIK may require more money upfront compared to glasses and contacts, the procedure is the less expensive option and can truly be priceless. Discover Vision Centers also offers financing that makes LASIK affordable, including a 24 month, no interest financing with no down payment required.
Discover Vision Centers is one of the country’s largest eye care centers offering ophthalmology, optometry and optical shop services in the Kansas City metro area. For more information, call 816.478.1230 or click here to schedule an appointment.
Discover Vision Centers Observes 35th Anniversary
KANSAS CITY, MO (October, 2008) – Discover Vision Centers celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The local company has grown into one of the largest eye care providers in the United States today. As a homegrown Kansas City business, Discover Vision began in 1973 with 1 doctor and 5 staff members. The company now has eight locations, 35 Ophthalmologists and Optometrists, and more than 250 employees. Discover Vision collectively sees more than 800 patients each day. The Kansas City Kansas practice, which will open in the spring of 2009, will employ approximately 5 staff members. Discover Vision Centers currently has two practices in Leawood, and one each in Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Kansas City North, Harrisonville, and Olathe.
Discover Vision Centers also boasts three LASIK refractive surgery centers and two ambulatory surgery centers. Several of their physicians serve as FDA investigators for new technology and treatments. This means that Discover Vision Centers’ patients are often the first to receive the newest treatments available. All Discover Vision Centers have Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Optical shops working together all under one roof, resulting in convenient, one-stop shopping for their customers. Discover Vision’s Ophthalmologists take care of all surgical needs, Optometrists handle routine eye care needs, as well as eye disease consultation and management, and the optical shops fit patients for their glasses prescriptions. The Discover Vision Center O³ model brings a high level of eye care services to the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
When asked about what sets Discover Vision Centers apart from its competitors, CEO, Jim Denning stated, “Our practice has a wide range of eye care specialists. We take care of eye care needs for the entire family, from grandchildren to grandparents. Making a commitment to provide lifetime care to our community has helped Discover Vision Centers to enjoy success for more than three decades.”
Discover Vision Centers has been serving patients in the Kansas City area since 1973. For more information about the company, visit its website at www.discovervision.com.
LASIK Customers Should Be Aware of Risks: Articles in USA Today, MSNBC.com, and ABC Primetime shed light on importance of seeking the best care when choosing a LASIK surgeon
KANSAS CITY, MO (August, 2008) – Patients seeking LASIK surgery to correct their vision should take precautions when choosing a surgeon. Patients should be educated when they are not a good candidate for the procedure and to the potential risks associated with their particular condition.
John F. Doane, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Discover Vision Centers, has spoken and written internationally about LASIK complications and how to treat them. He says while preliminary screenings are vital, the patient-doctor relationship is equally important.
“As with any surgical procedure, there are risks,” Dr. Doane said. “Good candidates for LASIK surgery do extremely well with the procedure. The communication between the doctor and the patient is important, though, so a patient can understand their chances of success with LASIK.”
Complications of LASIK can include temporary inflammation, dry eyes, halos and difficulty driving at night.
Dr. Doane, who has performed thousands of LASIK procedures on patients from 34 states and 17 foreign countries, says patients should be aware of the potential risks and weigh all of their options before having LASIK surgery.
“As with any surgery, the skills of the doctor play a critical role,” Dr. Doane said. “You can have the best technology in the world, but it is still a surgical procedure and the judgment of the doctor will determine the patient’s outcome.”
Dr. Doane is a LASIK patient himself and has performed the procedure on many of his family and friends. He says for a majority of patients, the procedure is safe.
“We strive to go above and beyond in the screening process to make the patient comfortable with their decision to have LASIK,” he said. “When you take time to treat each customer as an individual, they understand that you are doing what is in their best interests. LASIK truly is a wonderful procedure and can be successful for most people.”
For more information on this subject, call 816.478.1230 or click here to schedule a Kansas City LASIK evaluation with Dr. John Doane.
Local Doctor Nominated for Outstanding Humanitarian Award:
Doug Dehning, M.D. recognized for work at Free Health Clinic and medical missions
INDEPENDENCE, MO (July, 2008) – The Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MoSEPS) recently nominated Discover Vision Centers’ Doug O. Dehning, M.D. for the 2008 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award. Dehning was nominated due to his extensive work with the Jackson County Free Health Clinic and participation in numerous international medical missions. The Humanitarian Award, which recognizes AAO members for their service to the community, will be presented at the AAO Annual Meeting in November.
Doctor Dehning has worked closely with Bridgett McCandless, M.D., Medical Director of the Jackson County Free Health Clinic. Over the last ten years Doctor Dehning has provided financial support, medical staff, donated equipment, and helped write grants for the Jackson County Free Health Clinic. Throughout his medical career, Dehning has participated in numerous medical missions, including programs in the Dominican Republic, Belize, Nigeria, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Dehning’s specialties include retina/vitreous, diabetes, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, no-stitch cataracts and glaucoma. For more information about Dr. Doug O. Dehning, click here.
John C. Hagan, MD Receives Secretariat Award
Kansas City, MO (July, 2008) - The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) named Discover Vision Northland doctor, John C. Hagan, M.D., as the recipient of the 2008 Secretariat Award. The Secretariat Award recognizes ophthalmologists for special contributions to the Academy and ophthalmology. Recipients are selected by the Senior Secretaries and Secretaries in their respective areas and approved by the Board of Trustees. This annual award was developed to increase opportunities for ophthalmologists to be recognized for contributions that are outside of the scope of the current Achievement Award Program.
Dr. Hagan was selected for this honor by volunteering to field online patient questions on behalf of the Academy on the site www.medhelp.org, which receives 250,000 hits per month. According to the AAO, Dr. Hagan led the effort, responding within 24 hours to consumer inquiries and providing a valuable platform to promote eye health and ophthalmology.
Hagan is a Board Certified ophthalmologist who specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract consultation and second opinions. He has published over 100 scientific articles and is the editor of Missouri Medicine, the medical journal of the Missouri State Medical Association. In a media poll of metropolitan physicians he was selected among Best Doctors in Kansas City. For more information about Dr. John C. Hagan, click here.
Eye Care Group Makes Access to Health Care Costs More Consumer Friendly
INDEPENDENCE, MO (2007) – Discover Vision Centers, Kansas City’s largest ophthalmic practice, is one of the first in the Midwest to post their estimated fees for basic services online. Now patients can estimate charges and out of pocket costs before they have procedures and tests.
“More and more patients want estimates of their medical costs. The market penetration of high deductible insurance plans requires that this information be available to the patients who are now paying more of their health care costs out of pocket. These high deductible plans have changed the market,” said Jim Denning, CEO, “and we must change with it to accommodate our patients needing medical financial information.”
In a time of high deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses, what Denning claims is true. As these high deductible plans grow and more and more consumers decide to go with them or even go without health insurance, there is a growing need to budget for medical expenses ahead of time.
Discover Vision Centers posted clinic fees on its website for routine exams, new patient and established patient medical visits, consult fees, special service tests and a number of surgeries. Patients will find that a non-medical eye exam is $65, and the difference between a new patient and established patient routine exam is $34 ($138 versus $104). A visual field test, commonly performed to check peripheral vision, is listed at $83. Cataract surgery at Discover Vision is $750, and LASIK surgery ranges from $1,100 to $2,400 depending on the amount of correction needed. Discover Vision Centers also owns it own Ambulatory Surgery Centers where the surgeries are performed. Operating room fees for common surgeries are listed on its web site as well.
The effort made by Discover Vision Centers was prompted by a nationwide drive for medical practices and hospitals to share estimated prices for medical procedures. The Bush Administration has recommended physician groups give more information to patients to help them make more informed decisions when using the new Health Savings Plans (HSA). Drugstores and pharmacy chains, such as Wal-Mart, Target and CVS, make the price of eye exams, and blood pressure checks as visible as the price of shampoo and conditioner.
As insurance premiums and deductibles continue to rise, consumers now face the added responsibility to comparison shop among the healthcare industry. HMO plans with $20 co-pays are mostly a thing of the past. Employers now have few choices to offer employees – higher deductibles, coverage first plans or health savings accounts.
“Knowing the estimated costs of office visit and surgical procedures is much more important when you have a $2,500 or higher deductible” said Denning. “Listing fees will make it easier for patients to budget for expected and unexpected medical fees ahead of time.” Denning concluded, “With non-Medicare patients who have HSA’s, who are paying most of their health care costs out of pocket, they will look for practices who provide health care cost estimates, convenient patient friendly hours, extended call center hours, and on-line appointments. We do all of these to make Discover Vision the best consumer choice in total eye care needs.”
Discover Vision Centers is a home-grown Kansas City medical practice that led the industry in integrating ophthalmology, optometry and optical services under one roof. Patients benefit from Discover Vision’s renowned expertise and the long-standing commitment to do what is best for the patient. For more information about Discover Vision, visit its website at www.discovervision.com
Dr. Carl Stout Receives Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award
INDEPENDENCE, MO (October, 2007) – Carl N. Stout, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. has been awarded the 2007 Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MoSEPS). MoSEPS is an important organization which supports institutions in Missouri relating to eye care and general health care.
The Gold Medallion is the highest honor given by the society, bestowed only upon its most praiseworthy members. The distinguished award recognizes lifetime achievement and outstanding service in the medical and Ophthalmic professions on the local, state and national level.
"There are many doctors who deserve thanks for their lifetime commitment and service in health care. It is very humbling to be recognized by my colleagues, friends and peers," said Stout. "I am grateful to the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons for this esteemed award."
Dr. Carl Stout is a cataract specialist who has been serving the Kansas City area for over 30 years. He was the second doctor to join the practice and is the presiding Medical Director of Discover Vision Centers, a home-grown Kansas City medical practice that led the industry in integrating ophthalmology, optometry and optical services under one roof.
“Honors such as this continue to strengthen Discover Vision Centers’ reputation as a leader in eye care,” said Jim Denning, CEO of Discover Vision Centers. “Dr. Stout is not only a skilled surgeon, but an incredible human being who is deserving of the golden platform represented by this award” he added.
Since opening its doors in the cities of Lee’s Summit and Independence in 1973, Discover Vision Centers has quadrupled in size, now serving Blue Springs, Harrisonville, Kansas City North, Olathe, and two locations in Leawood, KS. Patients benefit from Discover Vision’s renowned expertise and the long-standing commitment to do what is best for the patient.
Dr. Carl Stout is a board-certified ophthalmologist with Discover Vision Centers, specializing in gentle, no-stitch cataract surgery, intraocular lens implant and glaucoma. For more information about Dr. Carl Stout, click here.
Northland Doctor Named among America’s Top Ophthalmologists
KANSAS CITY, MO (September 5, 2007) – The 2007 list of America's Top Ophthalmologists, published by the Consumers' Research Council of America, includes John C. Hagan III, MD, of Discover Vision Centers-Northland office. Hagan has practiced in the Northland since 1975 and with Discover Vision Centers since 2001.
Discover Vision Centers Announces Online Appointments: Patients will soon be able to complete forms,
make co-payments online, check-in at lobby kiosks
INDEPENDENCE, MO (April 10, 2007) – Discover Vision Centers’ patients can now schedule their non-urgent eye care appointments at www.discovervision.com – and by fall they will be able to complete forms and make co-payments online. By the end of the year, patients will be checking in for their appointments at kiosks located in the eye center’s waiting rooms.
Patients who choose to make appointments online can select the office location and physician they prefer, the ideal date and time, and the type of appointment they need – routine exam, medical exam, or LASIK evaluation. Discover Vision calls by the end of the business day to confirm the details. Only non-urgent appointments are accepted online. Patients who have an emergency are encouraged to call 911.
“We understand how busy our patients are,” said Jim Denning, CEO of Discover Vision Centers. “We want to make it as quick and easy as possible for them to schedule appointments, make payments, complete their patient forms and check-in through our website.” he added.
Denning also noted that many Discover Vision Centers’ patients prefer to make their non-emergency eye appointments online – the company has seen double- digit growth from patients making their eye appointments on line each month since it launched its online appointment portal earlier this year. “Online scheduling is a trend that is rapidly developing in all areas of health care,” said Denning. “As patients become more responsible for paying a larger portion of their health care expenses, they expect their health care providers to provide consumer-oriented services similar to bank ATMs, Amazon.com purchases and airline reservations,” he added.
To schedule your next appointment at this Kansas City eye care practice, visit www.discovervision.com.
Discover Vision Instrumental in Medicare Rule Change
INDEPENDENCE, MO (May 9, 2005) - Medicare announced today, May 9th, a new ruling that allows its beneficiaries to pay out-of-pocket for a lens implant that restores distance, intermediate and near vision following cataract surgery. Discover Vision Centers, one of the country's largest eye care centers located in Independence, MO., played an instrumental role in securing the rule change.
Prior to today's rule change, patients who needed cataract surgery were denied access to CrystaLens - a "refractive" intra-ocular lens (IOL) that was approved by the FDA in November, 2003. CrystaLens is manufactured by Eyeonics in Aliso Viejo, CA.. The ruling also allows patients to pay out-of-pocket for other refractive intra-ocular lenses.
Jim Denning, CEO of Discover Vision Centers, has spent the better part of the past five (5) years communicating with Medicare representatives and members of Congress in an effort to allow beneficiaries access to the bi-focal implant. Denning lectured extensively coast to coast to ophthalmologists, educating them on the benefits of supporting the effort to give Medicare patients the right to purchase elective refractive IOLs.
“This is a victory day for our Medicare patients and for future Medicare patients," said Denning. "They now have a choice and a right to have the CrystaLens implant. No longer do they have to pay for and wear eye glasses following cataract surgery.," he added.
Medicare reimburses providers for a traditional intra-ocular lens that restores only distance vision following cataract surgery. As a result, cataract patients still need to wear glasses for intermediate and near vision for the rest of their lives. Medicare reimburses cataract patients for the first pair of glasses after cataract surgery. Patients are responsible for paying additional spectacles for the remainder of their lives.
Now, thanks to Denning's persistence and the efforts of Eyeonics, cataract patients have a choice to upgrade to the bi-focal lens implant, thus reducing or eliminating the need for glasses after cataract surgery.
"We have had many Medicare cataract patients who were very frustrated and angry that they were being denied the right to choose this elective procedure," said Denning. "I am thrilled that Medicare has finally clarified its policy to allow patients the choice to pay for the elective intra-ocular lens themselves," he added.
Discover Vision Centers - one of the nation's largest eye centers - has been providing patients in the Kansas City area the latest advances in vision correction for over 30 years. To schedule an appointment, click here.
Dr. John F. Doane Named Among Top 50 World Opinion Leaders in Cataract and Refractive Surgery
KANSAS CITY, MO (May 23, 2005) - Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, an international ophthalmology publication, recently named John F. Doane, M.D., F.A.C.S., among the “Top 50 Opinion Leaders of 2005.” Dr. Doane, a Kansas City LASIK and refractive specialist with Discover Vision Centers, is best known for his leadership role in FDA trials for cutting-edge procedures. The honorees selected by the publication’s worldwide readers are renowned ophthalmologists from around the world.
The publication honored physicians for their outstanding contributions and leadership in the cataract and refractive surgery specialties. Dr. John Doane served as the Chief Medical Director for Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today in 2004.
“Honors such as this continue to strengthen Discover Vision Centers’ reputation as a leader in eye care and as experts in refractive surgery,” said Jim Denning, CEO of Discover Vision Centers. “Through a pioneering vision and surgical expertise, Discover Vision Centers continues to be involved in research and development, bringing advancements in vision care to the community,” he added.
For more information on Kansas City LASIK and cataract specialist, Dr. John F. Doane, please click here.
Source: Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today
