Information for Patients

Pre-Registration

Tennessee Valley Eye Center uses a tool that allows you to share your medical history and medication list in a way that is safe, secure, and private.

Be sure to have the following information available before starting:

  • The name of the surgeon who will be performing your upcoming procedure and the date your surgery is scheduled
  • A list of your medications and dosages
  • Previous surgical history
  • List of allergies

Use the password “TVEC865NEW” when signing in.

How to Prepare for Surgery

We want you to be well-informed as you prepare for surgery.

We have compiled some general information about preparing for and recovering from your procedure, as well as a number of documents you may print and fill out ahead of time. Please bring the completed forms with you on the day of your surgery.

Before Your Surgery

Pre-Admission for Surgery

If possible, please sign into our pre-admission tool at least two days prior to your surgery to complete your medical history. Use the password TVEC865NEW when you sign in. If you are unable to complete your medical history in advance, our pre-admission nurse will call you 1-2 days prior to your scheduled procedure to review your medical history, medications, allergies, and previous surgeries. They will also confirm your arrival time, which may differ from the estimated time of arrival you were provided by your surgeon’s office.

It is possible, based on our review of your medical history, that we may ask you to come in prior to your surgery for a pre-admission visit. If you are asked to come to TVEC for a pre-admission visit, you may call for an appointment or walk in at your convenience Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Please bring the following to your pre-admission visit:

  • Copies of health records
  • Medication list and dosage
  • Allergy list
  • Insurance information and cards

Please review the following instructions carefully:

Smoking

Try not to smoke before your surgery. Smoking irritates the lungs and can cause mucus build up. The less you smoke before your surgery, the better your chances to minimize congestion after your surgery. Lung congestion can contribute to the development of pneumonia. Use of tobacco is prohibited on the TVEC campus.

Food and Drink

If your surgery is scheduled before noon, do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the evening before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, do not eat anything after midnight, but you may have clear liquids (water, coffee without cream, broth, popsicles) until 7:00 a.m. the morning of your surgery. 

The day of surgery, you should have nothing to eat, including hard candy, gum, or food of any kind. These guidelines are in place for your safety, and if you do not follow them, your surgery may be cancelled.

Illness

If you are ill (i.e. sore throat, cough, fever, infections, or vomiting) you should contact your doctor’s office on the day prior to your surgery or as soon as possible.

Transportation

Please arrange for an adult  (age 18 or older) to drive you home. They or a family member must stay while you are here. Other means of transportation must be pre-approved by your doctor and the Tennessee Valley Eye Center by calling 265-251-0338.

You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery. Medications given during surgery may temporarily affect your memory or judgment for 24 hours following the surgery.

Medication

Check with your doctor regarding the medications you are taking at the time of your surgery. Your may take your blood pressure medications, heart medications, seizure medications, any breathing medications and stomach medications the morning of your surgery. 

You may have only enough water to swallow the medications. Do not take insulin or oral diabetic medications the morning of surgery.

Guardian

A legal guardian must accompany all institutionalized patients. A legal guardian must accompany all patients who are not capable of signing legal documents. The legal guardian must bring a copy of the patient’s Power of Attorney to the surgery center.

What should I bring with me?

  • Medication list unless you have completed your Simple Admit registration 
  • Allergy list unless you have completed your Simple Admit registration
  • Insurance information and cards
  • Photo ID
  • A responsible adult driver

Forms

What should I do before my surgery?

  • Please arrive on time for your appointment in order to properly prepare for surgery.
  • Take heart medications, blood pressure medications, seizure medications, breathing and stomach medications the morning prior to surgery with only enough water to swallow your pills. Do not take diabetic medications on the morning of surgery.
  • If you currently use a blood thinner, your surgeon will instruct you whether or not to discontinue it prior to the day of surgery. TVEC defers to the surgeon’s discretion and requests you speak directly with the surgeon or surgeon’s office staff.
  • Bathe/shower and brush your teeth at home. This reduces the chance of infection.
  • Wear loose comfortable clothing, with a shirt that buttons in front. Except for some procedures, you will keep your clothing on during surgery.
  • Bring your glasses and/or contact lens case. Wear your hearing aids.
  • Bring check or credit card for co-insurance/deductible. Please leave all other valuables at home.
  • Any questions regarding your eye drops should be directed to your surgeon’s office.

What shouldn’t I do before my surgery?

  • Do NOT eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the evening of your surgery. An anesthesiologist will talk with you the morning of your surgery.
  • Do NOT use any tobacco products after midnight the night before your surgery.
  • Do NOT take insulin or oral diabetic medications the morning of surgery.
  • Do NOT take any medication your surgeon has instructed you to discontinue for your surgery.
  • Do NOT wear jewelry, including wedding rings or piercings.
  • Do NOT bring valuables (rings, wedding rings, watches, earrings, necklaces, hair clips, hairpins, etc.) with you to TVEC.
  • Do NOT wear makeup, perfume, or hairspray. You may wear acrylic nails with only light-colored polish. If your nails are natural, we prefer you remove your polish.
  • Do NOT drive until cleared to do so by your surgeon.

Your Family or Companion

On the day of your surgery an adult family member or companion must accompany you. Your family member or companion has a vital supporting role and must check in at the registration desk and remain on the premises for the duration of your procedure. After your procedure, your surgeon or nurses will speak to you and your family member or companion in the surgery lobby or in the recovery room regarding your recovery. In order to ensure your safety after your procedure, your family member or companion must remain on the premises until you are discharged following surgery and must drive you home. If your driver is unable to meet these expectations, your surgery will be cancelled.

Pre-Operative Area

Upon arrival, you will be taken to the TVEC Pre-Operative Area where a nurse will check to make sure everything is in order to proceed with your surgery. Then, an operating room nurse and an anesthesiologist will interview you. Please inform the nurse if you have any special needs.

In the pre-operative area, an intravenous needle (IV) will be inserted in a vein in your arm or hand. This IV will be used for giving medications and fluids that you may need during surgery. You may be given medications to help you relax or antibiotics to help prevent infections. Eye drops may be used to dilate your pupil, prevent infections, and numb your eye. The nurse will place a surgical cap on your head before you go to surgery and hook up a device to monitor your vital signs. Most patients are in the pre-operative area for about 60 to 90 minutes.

Operating Room

You will relax in the pre-operative area until the nurse assigned to care for you during your surgery takes you to the operating room. The doctors, nurses, and technicians will be wearing surgical masks, gowns, and gloves. The room will be filled with surgery equipment. Most patients having eye surgery will be awake during the entire surgery but their eye will be numb. You will hear the staff talking and working. Your doctor may also request that music be playing in the operating room to help you relax.

Post-Operative Recovery Area

Immediately following your surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area where the nurse will closely monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing. Medications for pain and nausea will be given if needed.

You can expect to stay in the recovery area from 15-30 minutes, on average. This time will vary depending on the type of anesthesia you have and also depending on your doctor’s instructions. One family member will be able to sit with you in the recovery area until you are ready to go home (please limit to 1 person). You will be given a snack and a drink before you are discharged. 

Before you leave, the TVEC staff will review all your discharge instructions with you and your family. Please feel free to ask questions about your home care. We will assist you to your vehicle where a responsible adult must drive you home. You may not drive yourself home. You must also have someone to drive you to the follow-up appointment on the next day.

Your Privacy and Rights

Under federal law, your patient health information is protected and confidential. This also includes payment, billing, and insurance information.

We will need to use your information to contact you with appointment reminders and for the pre-admission process. Please notify your physician and TVEC if you need special arrangements made to protect your privacy.

Advanced Directives

Advanced directives and living wills are important documents. In the event of an emergency, it is our policy to resuscitate you and transfer you to an area hospital for further care.

Complaints

If you have a complaint, ask to see the administrator. This will not compromise your access to or quality of care.

Complaints may also be reported to:

Medicare Ombudsman: 1 (800) 633-4227

Once you have recovered from surgery in the post-operative area, your nurse will review all of your discharge instructions with you and your family. Please feel free to ask questions about your home care. We will assist you to your vehicle where a responsible adult must drive you home. You may not drive yourself home. You must also have someone to drive you to the follow-up appointment on the next day.

Recovery at Home

The day after you go home from surgery, a TVEC nurse will call to check your progress. If you have any questions regarding your surgery, you should contact your doctor without delay.

It is normal to have some pain and discomfort after your surgery, due to swelling and movement of tissue during the surgery. Pain and discomfort will decrease during the healing process. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to be taken at home or advise you about taking appropriate over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol.

General Recovery Reminders

  • Limit your activity for 24 hours
  • Do not drive until cleared to do so by your surgeon
  • You may experience some pain (soreness, itchy, scratchy sensation in the eye, or headache)
  • Medication given during surgery may temporarily affect your memory or judgement for 24 hours following surgery
  • Leave eye patched until your surgeon advises you the patch can be removed
  • Use eye drops as directed by your surgeon or nurse
  • A follow-up visit may be scheduled for the day after surgery

Financial Information

Affordable Services, Transparent Prices

Our administrative staff is always happy to walk you through the financial process of your surgery. We work with almost all medical insurance plans and will work hard to ensure that you understand your options.

Our goal is transparency and access to high-quality care.

If you have questions about your insurance or payment options, please call 865-251-0338 and ask to speak with the insurance department.

Whenever possible, we will notify you in advance of the estimated cost of your procedure if you will have any financial responsibility.

Please note that the estimated prices are only for our facility fee. You may also receive a bill from your surgeon, the anesthesia group, and pathology. There may be fees for special billable supplies such as implants, medications, or multiple procedures performed that may impact your total responsibility.

The total out-of-pocket cost will ultimately be determined by your insurance company after receiving and processing the claim according to the negotiated rates and your benefits.

We at Tennessee Valley Eye Center have partnered with Medfinancial, a local Knoxville company, to make your out-of-pocket costs more affordable through their patient centric payment plans!

All TVEC patients who need longer to pay their owed out-of-pocket costs will qualify to work with Medfinancial to repay their balance over time, in some instances up to 5 years! Interest-free payment plans are available, there are no hidden fees, and your credit score will not be affected by working with Medfinancial. For more information about Medfinancial and their partnership with Tennessee Valley Eye Center please call 855-729-6339.

Price sheets for top procedures

Medicare Payment Rates for the Most Common Procedures

Our Medicare fees for the 25 most common procedures performed at Tennessee Valley Eye Center can be found in the attached document, where we compare those fees to the cost of having the same surgery in a hospital outpatient department. If you participate in Medicare, this may help you plan for your cost-sharing.

Self-Pay/Private Pay Rates for the Most Common Procedures

We offer discounted rates from our standard charges for patients who are uninsured or choose to pay the cost of surgery themselves.

Our self-pay fee for the 25 most common procedures we perform can be found in the attached document. We are also able to offer payment plans for patients who are in need of financial assistance.

Please discuss these options with our insurance representative when they call to discuss your financial responsibility prior to surgery.

Please bring your current insurance card and photo ID to your surgery appointment.

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