Dry eye doctors at Mayo

Posted by daisy22 @daisy22, Jul 18 3:26pm

I'm looking for a good doctor at Mayo to help treat dry eye. I will go to Rochester but Mankato is closer to home. I can't afford the prescription eye drops on my insurance (they don't pay well) as the cost for them is $600 a month and more expensive. I can only use over the counter eye drops that don't work so well. I want a good treatment and doctor. I had cataract surgery and cornea transplant for Fuch's corneal dystrophy several years ago and have had problems since then. If anyone can give me the name of a good ophthalmologist at Mayo I'd appreciate that.

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minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Jul 19 9:25am

Google ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic that treats dry Eyes. Is one way to find out some of the ophthalmologist that are at.
You’re saying the prescription is too expensive and your insurance won’t pay. Have you called the company that makes them some companies will give a discount to people who can’t afford their prescriptions. Call the company or Google them to see what you can find out.
I’ve had very dry eyes for 30 some years and I only use over-the-counter. I had tried some prescriptions, but they didn’t work very well.
I wish you the best trying to figure this out.

ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Jul 19 4:39pm

The thing about dry eye treatment is that practically nothing is covered by insurance, and the prescriptions are very expensive if you have a large deductible.

I was on a 9+ month wait list to get into Mayo Rochester and I still can barely get in for follow ups. Until you get in, try daily warm compresses (Bruder is a good brand) which can help a lot. Other low cost ideas are wearing a mask to sleep at night, always wearing some type of hat and glasses outdoors, avoiding fans and AC, air purifier or humidifier in your bedroom, etc. wiping your eyes down after you come in from outside to remove allergens.

If you take OTC eye drops a lot, I am recommended 5x/day, the cost is almost as much as the prescription kind, so I always keep that in mind for the budget.

Good luck and hope your eyes feel better soon.

babs10 | @babs10 | Jul 19 11:02pm

There is a medication cap once you pay $2100. I know that's a lot of money but better than $600/mo. You pay for two months and you would meet the cap and pay no more for the year.

schumacv | @schumacv | Jul 26 2:26pm

Please explain the medication cap. Doesn't that depend on which insurance you have?

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 26 6:39pm

In reply to @schumacv "Please explain the medication cap. Doesn't that depend on which insurance you have?" + (show)

@schumacv The medication cap applies to those on Medicare with a Part D, Pharmacy Benefit plan or Part G Medicare Advantage plan. I do not know what happens to those with only Medicare A/B without a drug plan. It only applies to "covered" medications. For example, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is not covered by our plan, so the total cost is out-of-pocket. The same would be true for any drug for which the plan denied coverage under the "prior approval " clause.
For all others with a Pharmacy Benefit, the terms are outlined in your insurance contract.