Vision - QualSight

1. Who is QualSight?
   QualSight specializes in providing a managed Laser Vision Correction Benefit (LASIK) Plan. As one of the first managed health care organizations in the nation to specialize in Laser Vision Correction, QualSight provides access to quality refractive care through a national network of credentialed Board Certified Ophthalmologists. You can now improve your vision and work safety by removing the burden of contact lenses and glasses.
    
   
2. What is LASIK?
   LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an outpatient treatment that uses an Excimer laser (cool beam of light) to gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea). This reshaping of the cornea changes the angle of light that enters the eye to refocus correctly on the retina. This allows images to be more sharply focused. Vision recovery is rapid, and there is little or no post-operative pain. With refractive procedures, your dependence upon glasses and contact lenses should diminish significantly.
   
   
3. What is the difference between Traditional and Custom LASIK?
   Traditional and Custom LASIK treat moderate to severe refractive disorders, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In Traditional and Custom LASIK, your surgeon utilizes a surgical instrument called a microkeratome to create a thin flap to access your cornea. Custom LASIK utilizes an advanced technology, also known as Wavefront LASIK to determine a 3-dimensional measurement to guide the laser in re-shaping the front part of the eye (cornea). With a Custom procedure, physicians tailor the LASIK procedure according to each individual patient's unique vision correction needs. The data from the Wavefront analyzer is then electronically transferred to the laser, enabling your surgeon to customize the LASIK procedure to your unique visual requirements. Depending on your prescription and eye shape your doctor will be able to tell you at your evaluation which type of treatment is right for you.
   
   
4. What is IntraLase (Bladeless LASIK)?
   With IntraLase (Bladeless) LASIK, the surgeon uses a laser to create the corneal flap. This technology enables the surgeon to customize the corneal flap for each individual patient. Recent studies conducted on this technology may now make it possible to treat those who were previously unable to have this surgery due to thin corneas. The remainder of the surgery is the same as Traditional LASIK or Custom LASIK.
   
   
5. Can LASIK be done if I have astigmatism?
   Yes, the LASIK procedure has been approved to effectively treat astigmatism as well as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).
   
   
6. What does it cost?
   Through the QualSight network, traditional LASIK surgery is priced at $895 per eye, and Custom LASIK is priced at $1320 per eye. IntraLase (Bladeless) LASIK is available through participating providers for an additional $450 per eye whether performed with Traditional or Custom LASIK.
   
   
7. What about the ads I have been seeing that claim to charge $499 for LASIK?
   That price is usually an introductory price that is available to only a small subset of the population (usually less than 5%). Many offices will charge separately for an initial evaluation appointment as well as follow up visits. They typically charge significantly more for higher levels of corrections. The national average price for LASIK is over $2000 per eye. The QualSight plan is all inclusive with no hidden fees and represents a savings of 40% to 50% off the national average charge for Traditional LASIK.
   
   
8. How do I get started?  
   You will need to schedule your initial appointment with QualSight by calling 1-888-284-5612, toll-free. A QualSight Care Manager will register your call, do a zip code search for providers in your area and answer your questions. Once you have a selected a provider in your area, the Care Manager will schedule the appointment with the doctor’s office with you right over the phone.
   
   
9. Is a deposit required to book the appointment?
   Yes. QualSight will collect a refundable deposit of up to $490 ($50 scheduling deposit and the remaining $440 after the pre-operative appointment), payable by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) or by personal check. The deposit is deducted from the total amount due for surgery, and the balance will be collected on the day of the procedure by the doctor's office. In the event you do not proceed with LASIK, for any reason, it is refundable through QualSight.
   
   
10. Why do I need to put down a deposit?
    The deposit holds your appointment and confirms your eligibility in the plan for your doctor’s office.  Also, it will be deducted from the total payment you owe the surgeon for your procedure. If you don’t qualify for LASIK, or choose not to have the surgery for any reason, it is refundable through QualSight.
    
    
11. I don’t have a credit card. Can I use another form of payment?
    Yes, we accept personal checks, money orders and we also have financing programs available with nationally recognized banks which enable you to finance the payment at 0% interest or select a payment plan with a minimum payment due of approximately $58 each month*.  
    
    
12. How does QualSight select the doctors in the network?
    All of our doctors are Board Certified Ophthalmologists that operate with FDA approved lasers. They have been credentialed by an impartial third party called VerifPoint. QualSight has also collected their professional and educational history for you. When you call QualSight, you will be given a choice of approved doctors that participate in your area.
    
    
13. I wear contacts. Will I have to revert to wearing glasses before the surgery?
    Yes.  Contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea for up to several weeks after you have stopped using them depending on the type of contact lenses you wear. Not leaving your contact lenses out long enough for your cornea to assume its natural shape before surgery can lead to inaccurate measurements. We recommend you remove your soft contacts two weeks prior to your initial appointment, and at least four weeks for hard contact lenses.
    
    
14. What can I expect at the first pre-operative appointment?
    Expect to be there about an hour to two hours. They will be testing your eyes for your prescription and reviewing for any medical problems. Your eyes may be dilated and they will scan your eyes to get a topographical image of the shape of your eyes.
    
    
15. What can I expect during the actual procedure?
    The procedure lasts only 10 seconds, however the entire visit will take approximately two hours. Your laser treatment is specifically designed by your surgeon based on measurements gathered at the pre-operative evaluation. Make sure you schedule a one-day follow up appointment. Remember to ask any additional questions or concerns to your doctor or technician regarding the procedure. You are required to have a person drive you home from the procedure. Patients will not be allowed to drive themselves home after their procedure.
    
    
16. What if I need enhancements / additional post-operative care?
    Your total charge will include a pre-operative appointment, the LASIK surgery, up to four post­operative appointments (usually one day, one week, one month and three months) and a one-year retreatment plan. During this first year should you need enhancements, or “touch-ups,” your cost for enhancements will be between $110 - $300 (laser manufacturing fee) per eye, depending on the procedure performed when medically advisable.
    
    
17. What are Lifetime Retreatment Plans?
    Participating providers may offer eligible members to purchase the Lifetime Assurance Plan where retreatments are performed at no cost not only during the first year, but also in subsequent years when medically advisable. Provider participation may vary.

The QualSight program is not an insured benefit. The QualSight preferred pricing program is available to members to provide access to QualSight preferred pricing for LASIK surgery.

*Subject to GE CareCredit approval.