Patient Information

Insurance & Billing Information

• Once your surgery has been scheduled, you may be contacted to verify insurance coverage, and to discuss out of pocket expenses. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company if you have any questions about your coverage. Our policy requires any out of pocket cost to be paid prior to your surgery.

• Grand Island Eye Institute and Kearney Eye Surgical Center are two separate entities. Payment for any patient responsibility is due before your scheduled procedure. Your fee at Grand Island Eye Institute includes any prior balance not yet paid, your co-insurance amount for the surgeon fee, and any specialty lens package you may choose. Your fee at Kearney Eye Surgical Center includes any prior balance that has not been paid, your co-insurance amount for the facility fee, and any remaining deductible you have on your plan.

Anesthesia services are also billed separately. Please contact Kearney Anesthesia at  308-236-5506 with any questions regarding your anesthesia charges.

• A cost analysis will be mailed to you after you have scheduled your surgery. It will go into detail about your expected payments to Grand Island Eye Institute and Kearney Eye Surgical Center.

• We will be happy to assist you with questions about your bill or cost of surgery. Contact us Monday-Thursday between 8:00am and 5:00pm at 308 865-2760 or 308 865-2759.

Forms

• Advanced Directives
• Patient Rights
• Patient Responsibilities
• Notice of Privacy Practices
• If you are scheduled as a patient in Kearney Eye Surgical Center, please review the following information, prior to your surgery:
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities 
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities Spanish
  • Notice of Privacy Practices concerning your Protected Health Information (PHI) 
  • Notification and Acknowledgement of Patient Rights, Financial Disclosure, Advance Directive and Privacy Practices
  • What is an Advanced Directive - Advanced Directive Information Q&As

Prior to your surgery

• You will see your family physician for a full physical exam, within 30 days of your procedure. Ask your doctor about taking your routine medications prior to surgery. If allowed, take them with a small sip of water.
• A nurse will call you 1-4 business days prior to your surgery, to review your health information and to give you an exact arrival time.
• Plan to be at the facility for about 2-3 hours.
• You will see your surgeon in the Kearney Eye Institute, 2-3 hours following your surgery for a post surgical check.

Day of surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your surgery.
• If your surgery is after 12pm, you will receive further instruction for what to eat or drink prior to your surgery.
• Bring a photo identification and your insurance information with you.
• If you are receiving premium surgical services, or cosmetic services, please bring payment with you.
• Leave money, jewelry, and valuable items at home.
• Bring your eye drops if applicable, medication list if requested, and dark glasses/sunglasses to wear after your procedure.
• Please dress in a button or zip up shirt and do not wear an undershirt. Wear comfortable loose fitting pants and slip on shoes. Warm blankets are available to keep you comfortable.

Transportation

• Bring a responsible adult (19 or older) to stay at the facility during surgery, drive you home, and stay with you after surgery.
• You may locate our facility using our map. Click here for a map and directions.
• Park in the designated slots marked “for surgical patients” and enter through the doors marked “Surgery Center”

Registration and Pre-Surgical Prep

• Upon arrival to the Surgical Center, you will be greeted by our friendly receptionist who will admit you to the facility as a patient.
• After the admission process, you will be taken to the preoperative area where a nurse will administer eye drops, start an I.V., review your health information, and answer any questions.
• You will visit with one of the anesthesia providers regarding the sedative medication you will receive during your surgery. Although you will be in a relaxed state during surgery, it is common to hear voices, mild room noises or to see lights during your surgery. Most patients relax and listen to the music provided.

After your Surgery

• You will be brought to the recovery area where the nursing staff will monitor you and provide a beverage. Your stay in recovery is generally about 15 minutes.
• Pain medication is generally not necessary. However, Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be taken for aching or soreness.
• You will start using your postoperative medication once you are dismissed from KESC.
• If you have had cataract surgery, you will see your surgeon for a follow up appointment 2-3 hours following surgery.
• If your eye has been dilated for surgery, the dilation may last up to 3 days following surgery.
• You will receive written instructions regarding your general care and care of your eye(s) while at home.
• You will receive a phone call from your surgeon the evening of surgery. You will also receive a phone call from our nursing staff, 2-7 days following surgery.

YAG Laser Procedure

• The YAG Laser procedure is performed in a procedure room rather than an operating room. You should plan to bring a driver, insurance cards and a photo identification on the day of your procedure. You can eat and drink, and take any medications as normal. Your eye will be dilated prior to your procedure, and you will be cared for by the nursing staff. You will be positioned for the procedure, similar to your position when receiving an eye exam. The procedure takes 1-2 minutes, and it is common to hear a clicking sound. The procedure is not painful. Following the laser procedure, your vision will be very blurry and you may experience a slight headache. Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be taken as directed. You will stay up to 30 minutes following the procedure for eye drop administration and or monitoring of the eye pressure. It is recommended that you bring a pair of sunglasses to wear after your procedure.