Question 1

How long will my eye examination take?

Accepted Answer

For a general eye examination, please plan for an hour.  Please plan longer if you have a contact lens fitting.  If you require a second opinion or have a complicated eye problem, please expect the appointment to take longer.  For all new pediatric exams, please expect your appointment to take 2 hours.

Question 2

How often should I have an eye exam?

Accepted Answer

Eye exams are recommended periodically, with the interval differing for various age groups.  In the first three years of infancy, a child should have vision checked along with normal pediatric checkups.  Between the ages of three and six (the most crucial period of eye development) an eye exam should be scheduled every year or two.  After that period, until adulthood, exams should be scheduled as necessary.  During the twenties one should have at least one exam.  During the thirties one should have at least two exams.  In the forties, fifties, and early sixties, one should schedule an exam every two to four years.  For seniors, an exam every year or two is recommended.   In addition to these basic guidelines, people with a family history of eye problems, those monitoring a diagnosed eye disease, or those with certain high risk diseases such as diabetes, it is recommended that exams should be performed at least once a year.  Regular eye exams are the best way to keep you seeing your world clearly.

Question 3

What is an ophthalmologist?

Accepted Answer

An ophthalmologist a medical doctor who has attended medical school and then received an additional 3 years of hospital based eye training in eye disease and eye surgery.   Some ophthalmologists receive an extra year or two of fellowship training in eye sub-specialties such as pediatric ophthalmology or corneal diseases.  Ophthalmologists are trained to identify, prevent, and treat eye diseases and are specially trained to provide the full range of eye services from measuring eye glasses to performing delicate eye surgery.

Question 4

I have been noticing strange things with my vision lately. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Any abnormal phenomena or changes in your vision can indicate a variety of possible problems.  The key to preserving vision in the face of most eye diseases is early treatment.  Thus it is important to consult an ophthalmologist if you notice anything unusual or any change in your vision.  It could be a serious problem, or it could be inconsequential, but the peace of mind and the possibility of catching a serious problem early are certainly worth it.

Question 5

What is a refraction?

Accepted Answer

A refraction is the method eye doctors use to determine a person's prescription for eye glasses.  This test indicates any refractive error that is reducing your ability to see 20/20.  This time intensive test may require the doctor to check your vision, previous glasses prescriptions, and your current refractive error.   Unfortunately, while some insurances cover this test, many insurances do not.  We charge a fee for refraction.  If you need to update your eye glasses, you will need a refraction.

Question 6

My vision is great; I have no problems. Is there any reason to have my vision checked?

Accepted Answer

Many serious eye diseases often have little or no symptoms until they are well developed.  The only way to diagnose a problem early in such a case is to schedule periodic eye exams.  This is the best way to preserve the clearest vision possible for life.

Question 7

What is dilation?

Accepted Answer

Dilation is the process where the eye doctor use a mild pharmacological agent to relax the pupil of the eye so that it expands.  The dilation usually lasts for a couple of hours and causes mild blurring of vision, problems with near vision, and sensitivity to light.  We understand that this process may be inconvenient for you, but if you have a serious eye condition, the medical gold standard and accepted method to evaluate your eye is through dilation.    Eye photography is excellent for capturing retinal images of the undilated eye, however, when medically necessary, this type of photography cannot replace a physician's direct examination of the eye through a dilated pupil.   We do not have to necessarily dilate your eye at every eye examination, however, we recommend dilation for first time patients (as a baseline exam) and patients who we think it is medically necessary.

Question 8

What insurances do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Here is a small list of insurances we are on:   Aetna PPO Healthnet HMO/PPO Blue Cross HMO, California Care Blue Shield HMO* UnitedHealth Care PPO/POS Blue Shield PPO Blue Shield 65 Standard and Choice Vision Service Plan Aetna MC MIlls Peninsula Medical Group Medicare Aetna Select/Senior Choice*

Question 9

I'm a new patient, what do I need to know?"

Accepted Answer

Dear Patient,   We are pleased you have chosen Peninsula Eye Physicians for all your eye care needs. Here is some information you may find helpful:   Parking is available for $1.00 per hour ($2/hr Starting July 1st) in the garage under our building. To reach the parking garage go north on San Mateo Drive, make a right onto Baldwin Avenue and another right onto Ellsworth Avenue. You will make a right into the first driveway you see - this will be the Mills Square driveway. You may also choose metered parking on the street. You should arrive a few minutes earlier than your scheduled time so that we may photocopy your insurance card and answer any questions you may have. If you are here to get new glasses, you can shop in our friendly optical department before your appointment. Please bring the following items to your appointment: Your referral, completed registration forms, insurance card, a list of medications you are currently taking and all your glasses that you currently use. If you wear contacts lenses, please bring any available information such as the packaging or prescription. Allow enough time for your appointment – usually 1 to 1½ hours (depending on what you are being seen for). During your visit you may have dilation drops placed in your eyes to help the doctor examine you. We will provide you with disposable sunglasses as you check out if you need them. However, if you are unsure of your ability to drive while your eyes are dilated, you may want to bring a driver with you. We are participating providers with many insurance plans and are happy to file claims to your insurance for covered services. For non-covered services, such as refraction (see below) or optical purchases, you will be responsible for the total amount.   ** The refraction is the portion of the exam that determines your prescription for glasses. This enables you to receive a written eyeglasses prescription that is valid for 2 years. In general, most insurance companies consider this to be a noncovered service. Therefore, we ask that you pay for the refraction at the time of your appointment. The fee for the refraction is $65.00. We will bill the entire amount of your exam to your insurance and if the refraction is covered, we will reimburse the cost of the refraction to you. (Exception: Vision Service Plan and insurances that specifically state on the authorizations that refractions are covered, there will be no charge to you). Although the refraction is an important part of your exam, you may choose whether or not to have the refraction performed.   For your convenience we accept all major credit cards.   Again, we thank you for choosing our practice and look forward to serving you.

Question 10

Can you help me understand the different types of insurance?

Accepted Answer

PPO - plan encourages you to choose doctors, hospitals, and other providers that participate in the plan. They do this by increasing the portion of the bill they pay if you stay “in network.” You may choose to go “out-of-network” at any time, but if you do, you’ll have to pay a higher percentage of the provider’s bill. Other than physician office visits and emergency care, services must usually be authorized by the PPO before you receive them. Some PPOs have a primary care physician who is responsible for coordinating your medical care.

HMO - Health Managed Organization - plan requires that you select a primary care physician (PCP) within the HMO provider network. Your PCP is responsible for meeting your health care needs, either by taking care of you directly or by referring you to other providers (such as specialists). As long as you see your PCP or have an authorized referral to another provider, your out-of-pocket cost is usually a relatively small copayment per visit. But if you chose to go to another provider without a referral--whether or not the providers are in the HMO network--you'll have to pay 100% of the provider's bills. The exceptions are true emergency situations for which you are covered by the plan.

EPO - Exclusive Provider Plan- is very similar to an HMO. With an EPO, you must select a primary care physician or physician gatekeeper who will be responsible for meeting your health care needs. In most EPO plans, as with an HMO, if you choose to go out-of-network, you'll have to pay 100% of the provider's bills.

POS- Point Of Service - This is a variation of the HMO and EPO plans and is often described as an open-ended HMO. As with an HMO, you must pick a primary care physician within the network. You pay least when you receive services from your PCP or through an authorized referral to another provider. But unlike an HMO, you may opt out of the network. If you opt out you'll be responsible for paying a portion of the provider's bills.

Please check your Medical Insurance if you want your Refraction covered. Most Medical Insurance does not cover Refractions*. (*Eye examination for glasses, they don't cover it because it is not a medical benefit)

But if you do have Vision Insurance, please let us know in advance on what the plan is. There are some plans that do require prior authorizations or special arrangements to be made in advance. If you are a member of VSP or Vision Service Plan. You can check your eligibility online.

If you do have another coverage not listed. Please call your plan or look at the listing of providers in your medical plan book. If you are still in need of help please call: 650-342-7474

Question 11

How can I refill my prescription?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to get a refill is to ask your pharmacy to submit the request to us.  Given the volume of requests per day, we ask that patients expect 3 business days for prescription requests or refills.  Refills or pharmacy orders requested Friday afternoon may be filled the following week.  ​ We understand that many medical offices charge for filling out forms, but we currently do not as a courtesy to our patients.  However, we reserve the right to charge for extraordinary requests.  Please allow our physicians 3 business days to fill out forms left at the office.  If your physician is out of town, please allow for a longer time frame or indicate to the staff that your paperwork may need sooner attention.   Our office will do our best to accommodate your request.  We ask that you enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.  You may also pick up your paperwork from the office after being notified.

Question 12

How does PenEye Physicians protect my personal informations?

Accepted Answer

Peninsula Eye Physicians takes every possible step to ensure your personal information is kept private.  You can read our full Privacy Policy by clicking here.

Question 13

Where can I get tested for COVID 19?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that you first reach out to your primary care physician.  They will likely recommend a testing site.   For up to date testing resources and information, please visit www.smcgov.org/covid-19-testing

Question 14

What is PenEye doing to protect me at work?

Accepted Answer

Peninsula Eye Physicians has implemented a cleaning schedule and physical distancing policy which, when executed properly, puts all employees at a low risk exposure level.  (Refer to the PenEye Sanitation Policy)   PPE and cleaning supplies are available to all employees, along with hand sanitizer and sinks with antibacterial soap.   We are also randomly checking all employee temputures as well as asking COVID 19 related screening questions.   For a more comprehensive explination of PenEye policy, please refer to our Infectious Disease Prevention Plan.

Question 15

What is the policy for returning to work after being on vacation?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing an honor system, we ask that employees use their best judgement when returning to work after taking personal time off.  As a company, we cannot prevent an employee from being in high exposure environments, so we ask that whether you’re staying local or flying out of state, that you return to work being mindful of your fellow co-workers as well as visiting patients.  Wear a mask at all times and keep a safe distance from staff and patients. ODs and MDs that travel on an airline must take a covid test before retuning to work. If you were exposed to someone that was experiencing COVID related symptoms, or if you are feeling symptomatic, you must not return to work before contacting your PCP and being tested for COVID 19.

Question 16

What should I do if someone I live with has tested positive for COVID 19?

Accepted Answer

Do not come to work and contact your primary care physician.  The return to work policy is as follows: As long as an employee is in regular contact with a COVID 19 positive person, they may not return to work, even if they have been tested for COVID 19 and their test has come back negative. In order to return to work, the employee must provide a doctors note which states they are free to safely return to work.

Question 17

What should I do if I test positive for COVID 19?

Accepted Answer

An employee must notify Oliver if they test positive for COVID 19.  They are not to report to work and must follow the treatment advice of their primary care physician.   In order to return to work, an employee that has tested positive for COVID 19 must provide a doctors note which states they are now recovered from COVID 19 and free to safely return to work.

Question 18

How does the Families First Coronavirus Response Act apply to me?

Accepted Answer

The specifics of the FFCRA can be found on the Department of Labor website.   Summary:   The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.   Generally, the Act provides that employees of covered employers are eligible for:   Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or   Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; and   Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Question 19

Does PenEye have a Infectious Disease Prevention Plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have put together a comprehensive IDPP which employees can view by selecting here.

Question 20

What should I do if someone I live with is symptomatic but has not tested positive for COVID 19?

Accepted Answer

Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that you do not come to work until the symptomatic person has discussed their condition with their PCP.  If their doctor directs them to get tested for COVID 19, we ask that you do not come to work until the results come back negative.

Question 21

What should I do if I feel symptoms of COVID 19?

Accepted Answer

The first and most important step is to stay home and contact your primary care physician.  Do not come to work if you are experiencing any of the CDC listed symptoms of COVID 19.   After speaking with your PCP, you may be directed to get tested for COVID 19.  If this is the case, you must wait until your results come back before a timetable for your return to work can be determined.   Depending on your initial symptoms, you may be required to have 2 negative COVID 19 tests before being allowed to return to work.  Oliver will work directly with individual employees on a case by case basis to establish a return to work timeline.

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Peninsula Eye Physicians

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