News
EYE HEALTH AMERICA PARTNERS WITH WEST GEORGIA EYE CARE CENTER
Eye Health America (EHA) closes on the largest multi-specialty ophthalmic practice in Columbus Georgia, and exceeds 100 physicians through strategic partnerships.
September 12, 2022 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time
COLUMBUS, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Eye Health America (EHA), is pleased to announce a new partnership with West Georgia Eye Care Center, the company’s second partnership in Georgia, and 22nd partnership overall.
Founded in 1951 by Dr. Floyd Jarrell in Columbus, GA, West Georgia Eye Care Center (WGECC), has grown to a 3-location practice in Columbus, GA with a two-room ASC serviced by a total of 14 providers across all eye care specialties (cataract, cornea, glaucoma, oculoplastics, retina, medical ophthalmology, optometry, optical, hearing) including Lasik and cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Evan Sussenbach, President of WGECC shared, “We are excited about our affiliation with Eye Health America (EHA), who is one of the premier leaders in eye care in the Southeast. We think that the partnership with EHA will provide us the best opportunity to grow within our region and allow us to sustainably provide excellent care to our patients and an optimal working environment for our staff.”
Serving the Western Georgia and Eastern Alabama region for over 70 years, WGECC has built strong relationships with community residents and healthcare providers. With a passion for superior patient care and clinical quality, WGECC offers patients the latest technology and eye care advancements for an exceptional experience.
“What a highly esteemed practice and synergistic partner for us in Georgia along with Southeast Retina Center in Augusta,” stated EHA Co-CEO, Mary Lou Parisi.
“Our alliance with West Georgia Eye Care Center continues Eye Health America’s expansion into the Georgia market,” said John Swencki, Co-CEO of EHA. “The WGECC doctors have a great reputation in Columbus, and we are excited to build upon the culture of excellence they have established.”
EHA has seen substantial growth in recent years, and with the addition of WGECC, is currently operating with over 100 physicians across 57 locations, 10 ambulatory surgical centers, and more than 1,000 employees in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. EHA provides strategic guidance and operational support to practice groups and ASCs, enabling them to focus on delivering the highest quality patient outcomes and meeting a rapidly growing need for eye care.
Eye Health America (EHA) was formed in 2018 by a partnership between LLR Partners, a growth focused private equity firm, and regional eye care leaders, Clemson Eye and The Eye Associates. EHA is led by an experienced team of eye care veterans including Co-CEOs, Mary Lou Parisi and John Swencki; Chief Medical Officer, Cathleen McCabe, MD; Chief Development Officer, Philip Isham, Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Maguire, Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Becker, and a leadership team across the platform comprised of members from many of our partner practices.
About Eye Health America
Headquartered in Greenville, SC, Eye Health America (EHA) is a premier eyecare platform committed to partnering with market-leading professionals with strong reputations and patient focused cultures to build innovative, intentional, integrated eye care practices. EHA collaborates with partners to deliver superior strategic, financial, and operational growth, providing best-in-class eye care including routine eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, cataract surgery, cornea, retina, glaucoma, LASIK, pediatrics, and oculoplastics. Member practices include Bradenton Eye Clinic, Clemson Eye, Piedmont Surgery Center, The Surgery & Laser Center, Carolinas Centers for Sight, Florence Surgery and Laser Center, Southeast Retina Center, Augusta Retina Laser Surgicare, The Eye Associates, Eye Centers of Florida, Surgicare Center, Updegraff Laser Vision, Tampa Bay Eye Surgery Center, and many other top providers of medical and surgical eyecare services in the Southeastern US.
To learn more, visit www.eyehealthamerica.com
CONTACTS
Media Contact
Courtney Mitchell
VP of Marketing for Eye Health America
864-622-5002
cmitchell@eyehealthamerica.com
Business Development Contact
Philip Isham
Chief Development Officer
727-433-9899
pisham@eyehealthamerica.com
Notice Regarding these United Healthcare Plans:
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO)
- United Healthcare Compass (State Health Exchange) Insurance Plan
Re: Primary Care Provider Referral
Dear Valued Patient,
Effective January 1, 2015, United Healthcare is imposing a new requirement for the above two plans: you must receive a referral from your primary care provider (PCP) to be seen by our physicians for all visits except for routine (healthy) eye exams. So, if you have any medical condition i.e. glaucoma, macular degeneration, cornea and retinal conditions, diabetes, cataracts, eye irritation, pink eye, etc., we cannot see you without your PCP contacting United Healthcare and authorizing a certain number of visits within a six month timeframe. Your PCP is required to do the referral via UnitedHealthcareOnline.com. Your insurance plan requires the referral be done online and will not recognize a verbal referral from your PCP.
We understand that this is a significant inconvenience, that it delays care, and may increase expense to you. This is a Plan design choice of United Healthcare, and not Medicare or our office. If you were not aware of this requirement and wish to contact someone to file a complaint about your inability to have direct access to your primary eye care provider, you may wish to contact the following:
- United Healthcare 1-800-643-4845
- AARP 1-888-687-2277
- United Healthcare Compass – See your insurance card.
- State of Georgia Insurance Commissioner 1-800-656-2298
- Your member of Congress
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by United, but these are your insurance plan requirements.
