We accept
- Cash and personal checks
- All major credit cards
- FSA and HSA cards
- CareCredit financing
Patients
Everything you need before your visit.
A first appointment should feel calm, not complicated. Here you'll find the forms to fill out ahead of time, the insurance plans we're in-network with, payment and financing options, and clear answers to the questions we hear most often from new and returning patients alike.
Welcome
A calm front desk. A real conversation. A doctor who knows your name.
Quick resources
Start here.
Four shortcuts that cover most of what patients ask us before an appointment.
New Patient Forms
Your patient portal access (link + access code) is given at your visit. To request paperwork or portal access ahead of an appointment, give us a call.
Call (828) 456-8361 →Insurance & Payment
We're in-network with most major vision and medical plans. See the full list, learn the difference between coverage types, and how we verify benefits before your visit.
View plans →Patient Portal
Review exam summaries, prescriptions, and messages from our team. Access is granted at your visit with a personal link and access code — call us if you need it sent again.
Call for access →Reorder Contacts
Reorder your contact lenses online through Arrellio with the same prescription on file. Ship to home or pick up in office — most orders arrive within a few business days.
Reorder →
Insurance
In-network with most major plans.
Most patients carry one of two kinds of coverage. Vision plans — like VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, and Community Eye Care — cover routine eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Medical plans — like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Humana, and United Healthcare — cover exams tied to a medical concern, such as dry eye, glaucoma, diabetes, or sudden vision changes. We bill both, and we'll help you understand which applies before your visit.
If you don't see your plan, call us — we'll verify benefits before your visit.
- AARP
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Medicare
- CHAMPVA
- CIGNA
- Community Eye Care
- EyeMed
- Healthgram
- HealthSCOPE
- Humana
- Medicare
- Spectera
- Tricare
- UMR
- United Healthcare
- VSP
Payment
Flexible ways to pay.
From everyday copays to premium frames and lens upgrades, we offer the options that make care easier to plan for.
CareCredit financing
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that lets you spread the cost of exams, glasses, contacts, and other vision expenses over time — often with promotional interest-free periods. Apply once, use it whenever you need it.
Apply at CareCredit →Questions about cost?
Call us at (828) 456-8361 — our team will walk you through your benefits before your appointment so there are no surprises at checkout.
(828) 456-8361Common questions
Good questions, real answers.
If something isn't covered here, give us a call — we're happy to help.
How often should I have my eyes examined?
For most healthy adults, every one to two years is right. Children, anyone wearing contact lenses, and patients with diabetes, glaucoma, or a family history of eye disease should be seen annually. Your doctor will recommend an interval based on your specific findings — and we'll send you a reminder when it's time.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your current vision and medical insurance cards, a list of any medications you take, and your current glasses or contact lens boxes if you wear them. If you've had recent eye care elsewhere, records from that office are helpful. Completing the intake forms in the patient portal ahead of time speeds check-in.
Do you accept walk-ins?
Routine exams are by appointment so your doctor has dedicated time with you. For urgent concerns — a red eye, sudden vision change, foreign object, or eye injury — call us right away at (828) 456-8361 and we'll work you in the same day whenever possible. Our optical boutique welcomes walk-ins during business hours.
At what age should children have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a first exam between six and twelve months, a follow-up around age three, and another before starting kindergarten. After that, school-age children should be seen annually. Many vision issues — amblyopia, strabismus, undetected refractive error — are most treatable when caught early, before they affect learning.
What's the difference between vision insurance and medical insurance?
Vision plans (VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, Community Eye Care) cover routine exams and an allowance toward glasses or contacts when your eyes are healthy. Medical plans (Blue Cross, Medicare, Humana) cover exams tied to a medical concern — dry eye, glaucoma, diabetes, sudden changes. If both apply, we'll bill them in the right order so you get the most benefit.
Do you offer same-day or emergency appointments?
Yes. Eye infections, foreign objects, sudden flashes or floaters, painful red eyes, and abrupt vision loss are all reasons to be seen the same day. Call (828) 456-8361 as early as you can and explain what's happening — our front desk will triage and slot you in. After hours, call the office line for the emergency message.
Can I order contact lenses online if I'm a patient?
Yes — our online store at haywoodfamilyeye.arrellio.com uses the prescription we already have on file and ships directly to your home, usually within a few business days. You can also pick up orders at the office. Contact prescriptions are valid for one year, so keep your annual fitting current to keep ordering uninterrupted.
How do I access my patient portal?
We use the Crystal PM patient portal. Access is by personal invitation — when you're seen in the office, we'll hand you a link and a one-time access code that gets you into your chart. The portal holds your exam summaries, current prescriptions, appointment history, and secure messages from our team. If you've lost your link or never received one, call us at (828) 456-8361 and we'll provide it over the phone or resend it.
Schedule
Ready when you are.
Online booking, 24/7. Most insurance accepted.