GENERAL OFFICE QUESTIONS
When is the office open?
Regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm and Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Certain aesthetic procedures may be scheduled outside regular office hours by request.
We are closed for lunch from 12 noon to 1pm.
What if I have an emergency after hours?
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
If you are an established patient with an urgent ophthalmic condition and need to speak with Dr. Shin after hours, please call the office at (702) 896-2020 and the answering service will assist you.
Why do I have to show my insurance card and ID at every visit?
This is for your protection. We want to make sure that we have accurate information on file and that no one is trying to steal your identity or commit insurance fraud.
Why do I have to fill out paperwork every year?
Again, we want to make sure that we have the most accurate information on file. If we haven’t seen you in some time, we might not know you moved, are now diabetic, or have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. Children may develop sensory disorders or behavioral issues.
These disorders, as well as many others, can have a significant impact on your sight and we want to help maintain the health of your eyes. Please understand that we only want to provide you with exceptional care and part of that is making sure we have complete information.
Do I have to accompany my child to every visit?
We require a parent or legal guardian to attend the initial evaluation so Dr. Shin can review the patient’s condition and recommend a treatment plan. If surgery is recommended, a parent or legal guardian must be present to provide informed consent.
An individual other than the parent or legal guardian may accompany the child to follow-up visits as long as he or she is at least 18 years of age and we receive a signed authorization form that gives permission to treat. You may download a copy of the form here.
Why do the visits take so long?
Each patient is unique and no two visits are the same. We do our best to adhere to the appointment schedule, but there are instances where emergencies or unexpectedly extended visits may prolong your wait time.
Please understand that we provide every patient with the same level of exceptional care.
BILLING/INSURANCE
Who do I call if I have a question about my bill?
Please direct billing inquires to our billing service at (888) 762-4554 or you may contact your insurance company for clarification of your out of pocket expenses.
Do I need a referral?
If your insurance plan is an HMO or Managed Care plan, you may be required to obtain a referral from your assigned primary care physician or pediatrician.
We require a valid referral on file prior to scheduling your initial visit and future visits may be rescheduled if a current referral is not received in the office before your appointment.
How much will my visit cost?
Your financial responsibility depends on a number of variables, including the type of visit you are scheduled for, the condition being treated, and your insurance coverage.
We collect any applicable specialist and testing copayments, coinsurance, and/or outstanding deductibles at the time of service. Your out-of-pocket expense is determined by your insurance policy and your insurer can provide additional clarification.
We verify insurance benefits for each visit, but because benefits quoted are not a guarantee of payment by your insurance company and there are many different insurance plans, it is possible you may owe additional monies once your claim is processed. You may ask for additional details when you schedule your appointment.
Here are some common terms and their definitions (examples provided should not be construed as actual out of pocket costs):
- Copayment- Typically a set amount, but may vary based on provider type, type, or place of service. Deductible and/or coinsurance are not usually applied in addition to copayments.
- i.e.- PCP $20.00, Specialist $40.00, Diagnostic Test $50.00. etc.
- Coinsurance- A set percentage of the contracted/allowed amount for the service, often 80/20 or 70/30. Maybe in addition to the deductible.
- 70/30 plan with an allowed amount of $100.00 = $30.00 coinsurance
- Deductible- A predetermined amount you must pay before your insurance will cover any portion.
- Allowed amount of $1,000.00 with a $2,000.00 deductible = $1,000.00 out of pocket cost
- Allowed amount of $2,000.00 with a $1,000.00 deductible = $1,000.00 + applicable coinsurance
- Participating Provider (In-Network)- Provider rendering the service has signed a contract with the insurance company in place including negotiated reimbursement rates for services. The patient is responsible for copayment, coinsurance, deductible, non-covered services, and the provider agrees to submit claims to the insurer.
- Non-Participating Provider (Out-Of-Network)- Provider does not have a signed contract with the insurance company and the patient is responsible for payment in full for services rendered. The provider has no obligation to submit a claim to the insurer.
Why do I have to pay my copay at every visit?
Your insurance policy dictates your financial liability for services and each visit is considered a separate service.
The only exception is during the global period for surgery, which is either 10 or 90 days depending on the procedure. Reimbursement for postoperative visits related to the surgery is included in the surgical fee.
MEDICAL
What is refraction?
A refraction is a test that measures refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, etc.) and determines whether or not corrective lenses are necessary. Adults and older children are shown different lenses and asked questions such as: “which is better, lens one or lens two?”
For infants or patients who are non-verbal, retinoscopy is performed by Dr. Shin. She directs a beam of light into the eye and determines the refractive error based on the reflection of the light off of the back of the eye.
Refractions are vital in determining your optimal vision potential and are typically performed during an annual examination. This test is not covered by most medical insurance plans. If you have vision coverage, you may be able to seek reimbursement directly from the plan.
What is a sensorimotor examination?
The sensorimotor examination is a specialized evaluation that detects, assesses, monitors, and/or manages strabismic conditions and consists of measurements of ocular misalignment in multiple gazes and sensory testing of binocular function.
The test is performed by Dr. Shin using different prisms or by light reflex and typically includes measurements in multiple gazes and distances. This procedure is commonly performed on patients being followed or evaluated for strabismus.
Why do I need to see a technician before I see Dr. Shin?
Just as some offices have a medical assistant record vital signs such as your weight in your record before you see the doctor, we have ophthalmic technicians record vital ocular and systemic information as instructed by Dr. Shin.
Why do my child’s eyes need to be dilated?
Children have stronger focusing muscles and more flexible lenses than adults, which allow them to accommodate much easier, so it is necessary to paralyze their focusing muscles in order to determine their true refractive error. Dilation of the pupil also allows Dr. Shin to evaluate the retina and optic nerve.
Does Dr. Shin recommend vision therapy?
Since scientific studies have not shown vision therapy is an effective treatment for conditions other than convergence-insufficiency, Dr. Shin does not recommend vision therapy to her patients unless they have this particular type of exotropia.
Does Dr. Shin examine for dyslexia?
Dyslexia and other learning disabilities are processing disorders and not visual in nature, but Dr. Shin does recommend a complete examination to rule out any eye disease that could prevent your child from performing to the best of his or her ability.
Why does my child like to sit close to the TV screen?
Many children, even those that are farsighted, like to sit close to the television. Children are able to accommodate at different distances without eyestrain, so sitting close to the TV does not impact them the same as it would an adult.
Are computers and tablets harmful to eyes?
Electronic devices emit a range of harmful blue-violet light which can damage retinal cells and increase the risk of developing macular degeneration.
Because of increased exposure to screens, tablets, and smartphones, Dr. Shin recommends wearing lenses, with or without refractive correction, which contain a filter to reduce the absorption of blue-violet light or have a special coating such as Crizal Prevencia on the lens surface to block the harmful rays.
Another consideration is that accommodative work can increase the progression of myopia. Devices should be held at arm’s length or intermediate distance.
SURGERY
Where does Dr. Shin perform surgery?
Most procedures can be performed at Las Vegas Surgery Center, but Dr. Shin also has hospital privileges at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center / Sunrise Children’s Hospital for those patients whose medical conditions require surgery be performed in a hospital setting.
