Patient Support

We want every patient of Lakewood Ranch Retina to feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout their care. In this section, you’ll find practical information to help you before and during your visit.

Insurance and Billing

Lakewood Ranch Retina is happy to be a participating provider with many insurance plans, including Medicare. We understand that dealing with insurance can be stressful, so our staff will assist you with insurance verification and will file claims on your behalf. In most cases, office consultations and treatments for retinal conditions are covered under medical insurance (not vision plans). Please note that we do not perform routine vision exams for glasses/contact prescriptions, so we do not bill vision insurance plans for those services.

Insurance and Billing

We welcome patients with Medicare Part B, and we also accept many Medicare Advantage plans.

We accept Florida Medicaid and Medicaid managed plans. Our goal is to provide care to patients who need it, including those on Medicaid.

Including plans from employers or the Health Marketplace.

If your insurance is not listed here, please contact us. We likely accept it or can work with you on a solution. Prior to your appointment, our team will confirm your coverage and inform you of any referral or authorization requirements. If your plan requires a referral from a primary care physician or optometrist, please obtain that before your visit (or let us know if you need assistance). Copayments or deductibles, if applicable, will be collected at the time of service. For patients without insurance or those who prefer to self-pay, we offer self-pay options – please inquire about rates and payment plans.

New Patient Forms & Preparing for Your Visit

We encourage new patients to complete registration forms in advance if possible to save time. Our New Patient Forms packet can be downloaded from the website (or mailed to you upon request). This packet includes general information, medical history, and consent forms. Please fill out these forms at home and bring them with you to your first appointment. If you cannot complete them beforehand, please arrive early to allow time to fill them out in our office.

What to Bring to Your Appointment:

A valid photo ID (driver’s license or other government ID).
Your insurance cards (and referral form if your insurance requires a referral for specialty care).
Any relevant medical records or referral notes, especially if another doctor has performed tests or given you documents regarding your eye condition. If you’ve had recent eye scans (like OCT or retinal photos) and can obtain copies, bring those as well (optional).

During Your Visit:

Expect your initial appointment to last 1.5 to 2 hours, because a thorough retinal evaluation takes time. Our technician will review your forms and medical history and measure your current vision. In most cases, we will dilate your pupils with eye drops to get a clear view of the retina. Dilation widens your pupils and will cause blurred near vision and light sensitivity for a few hours afterward. Plan to have a driver or make transportation arrangements if you feel you might not be comfortable driving while dilated, especially on your first visit. We also recommend bringing sunglasses, as your eyes will be sensitive to light after dilation.

Dr. Rohowetz will perform a comprehensive dilated retinal exam and may request diagnostic tests such as scans or photographs of your retina during the visit. Afterward, he will discuss the findings with you in detail, show you any images, and outline a treatment or monitoring plan. Feel free to ask questions. We want you to fully understand your condition and care.

Patient Forms and Resources:

Please complete these prior to your first visit.

Information on how your medical information is used and protected.

(Included in the registration packet) – Allows us to evaluate and treat you.

(If required by your insurer) – We can assist with this if needed.

If you have any difficulty downloading forms or have questions while filling them out, call our office and our staff will gladly help. We can also mail you a paper copy of forms in advance if you prefer.

After Your Visit and Follow-Up

Before you leave, we will schedule any necessary follow-up appointments. It might be as soon as the next day (for an urgent procedure) or a routine 4-6 week return, depending on your situation. You’ll be given instructions on any at-home care, such as using eye drops or activity restrictions if applicable. For example, if you had treatment like an injection, we’ll explain what to expect (mild eye irritation, etc.) and what is not normal (e.g., increasing pain or vision loss, which we want you to report immediately).

We are here for you even between visits. If you have questions, new symptoms, or concerns that arise after your appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our staff can often provide guidance over the phone, and Dr. Rohowetz can determine if you need to be seen sooner. For true eye emergencies after hours, our phone line will have instructions for reaching an on-call doctor.

Our aim is to support you as our patient in every way possible – from understanding your insurance coverage to ensuring you have the knowledge and resources to take care of your eye health. Your vision is our priority, and we’ll work together with you to keep it at its best.

Contact Lakewood Ranch Retina

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your retinal care needs. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, to schedule an appointment (once scheduling is open), or to request more information about our services.