New
Patient Forms and Information Packets
Each Southeastern Retina Associates office uses
a New Patient Information Forms designed especially
for their location and patients. You will need
to print and fill out the proper forms. Click here
to download your forms and other information that
are listed by physician.
Insurance
and Payment Information
Assistance Filing Your Insurance Claims:
Southeastern Retina Associates staff will assist
you in filing claims with all of your insurance
companies. We are pleased to be a participating
provider for almost every major health insurance
plan, including Medicare, Medicaid, and TennCare.
If you have questions, please call one of SERA's
insurance specialists listed below:
Becky
Hollingsworth, Knoxville Area
865.584.4108
Billing
Manager, Tri-Cities Area
423.578.4364
Paula
Hibbs, Chattanooga Area
423.756.1002
Bring your insurance card(s) to every
visit: It is important that you bring
all of your insurance card(s) with you to every
visit. We need to make a copy of the information
on your cards so we have current information in
our files. Bring your major medical insurance
cards, including Medicare, Medicaid TennCare cards
if you have them, and any cards for supplemental
insurance coverage you may have.
You are responsible for pre-authorization
sign-up: Many health insurance plans
require pre-authorization from your referring
primary care (or family) physician before you
receive medical services from one of SERA's specialists.
You are responsible for getting authorization
from your primary care physician.
Failure to get authorization will mean
that your health plan will deny payment for our
services, so you will be responsible for payment
of all SERA medical services you receive. Services
are defined as office visits, consultations, surgical
procedures, laser treatments, and all other tests
or treatments our physicians provide. If you are
uncertain whether your health plan requires referral
pre-authorization, call your insurance plan?s
customer service representative or your family
physician's office.
Diagnostic
Procedures
Specialized ophthalmic tests are needed in order
to investigate eye and vision related problems.
SERA offers the most current diagnostic photography
procedures in its offices. Digital imaging uses
a computerized camera to instantaneously produce
a picture of your retinal circulation. Retina
Associates was one of the first practices in the
country to offer digital angiography.
It may be necessary for your physician
to prescribe other tests off-site, such as a CAT
scan or an MRI, in order to properly diagnose
and treat your eye disease. Click here
for more information on diagnostic procedures.
Lab
Test Results
If lab tests have been necessary for your care,
we will call you with the results.
Prescriptions
Your physician will prescribe medication at his
discretion. To have a prescription renewed, call
during office hours and your doctor will review
your medical record and call in your prescription
to your pharmacy, if appropriate. Prescriptions
are not given on weekends.
Surgical
Treatment
If surgery is necessary, your physician will decide
whether to use a hospital setting or the SERA
office setting. Click here
to read about the most common surgical procedures
and other information related to vitreoretinal
diseases, diagnosis, and treatment.
Hospitalization
If your condition requires admittance to the hospital
for treatment or surgery, your doctor or doctor's
assistant will tell you what to expect during
your stay in the hospital. Our staff will will
tell you what to expect during your stay in the
hospital and will make all necessary arrangements
for your surgery. Our doctors primarily perform
surgery at the following hospitals.
University
of Tennessee Medical Center
East
Tennessee Baptist Hospital
Holston
Valley Medical Center, Erlanger Health System
JC
Medical Center
Wellmont
Holston
Valley Medical Center
Tennessee
Valley Surgery Center
Vision
Rehabilitation and Enhancements
Some vision disorders cannot be cured by medical
treatments or surgery. However, low vision aids
may help you function independently and safely.
Instruction and demonstration of low vision aids
are provided to assist patients make optimal use
of vision after medical treatment is completed.
SERA is proud to house the non-profit Low Vision
Center in our Knoxville location on Weisgarber
Road. The center serves all of East Tennessee
and is staffed by optometrists who are expert
in helping patients maintain an active lifestyle.
Read more about vision rehabilitation in the Eye
Health section of our website.
Telephone
Calls to SERA Offices
We encourage you to call any Southeastern Retina
Associates office with any questions you have
about your medical condition during or after office
hours. A physician is on call 24-hours-a-day for
emergencies, telephone consultations or visits.
When you call SERA offices during office hours,
our receptionist may ask you to leave a message
for your physician or his assistant. They will
return your call as soon as possible. Please understand
that all of your calls are very important to us,
but that your doctor and the doctor's assistant
may be with another patient or in surgery when
you call. They will need some time to get back
to you.
Links
to Helpful Organizations
For more information about vision-related diseases,
or to find support groups near you, visit the
Web sites of the national, state, and local
vision-related organizations. Click
here for a full list.
