For Our patients
welcome
Welcome to Dr. Ciulla's practice! Whether you are a new or a returning patient, we will work closely with your referring doctor or primary eye care provider to determine the best management and treatment options in order to provide you with the best vision possible. It is important to us that you feel comfortable and that you understand each step along the way of this evaluation. We hope that this website can provide you with the information that you need, but if it does not, please contact our office with any questions or concerns that you may have. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is available Monday- Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to assist you. Please call (317) 817-1822 during these hours for assistance.
Make an appointment
If you are a new patient with one of the conditions that we treat, you may simply call us at 317-817-1822 and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members to make an appointment. You do not need a referral from another physician. If you are experiencing an emergency, however, you should call 911 or proceed to the emergency room.
Helpful forms
what to bring
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Your regular prescription glasses for vision testing and a pair of sunglasses to wear after dilation.
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The New Patient Information Packet that you received or downloaded from this site.
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A listing of all current medications and their dosage.
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Your medical insurance card (s) and insurance addresses.
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A photo identification card to ensure your identity to meet the new federal regulations concerning privacy and identity theft.
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A driver for after your evaluation or treatment due to your dilation.
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Diabetic patients should plan to bring a snack if they are scheduled close to their lunch times.
what to expect
You have been referred to Dr. Thomas Ciulla by your primary eye care doctor for a comprehensive ocular exam focusing on the retina and/or persistent vitreous floaters. A retinal examination takes longer than most medical or general eye examinations. You may be here for two to four hours.
If you were not given a New Patient Information Packet when your appointment was made, or you did not receive one in the mail, or you did not download a copy from this website, when you first arrive, we will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire about your medical history. Please bring the names of any medications and the dosages that you are taking, as well as the name, address and phone number of all physicians involved in your medical care. This information is essential. It is the only way we can make sure that we do not prescribe treatment that would conflict with your other medications. It is also needed to coordinate your care with your medical doctors.
After you complete the questionnaire, a nurse or ophthalmic technician will perform an initial assessment. She will obtain a thorough medical history and a history of your eye problem and check your vision and eye pressure. The next step is administering dilating eye drops to open your pupil. This allows us to see back to your retina. It takes a while for the dilating drops to take full effect. That means it will be necessary for you to wait at least 30- 40 minutes after dilation before you see Dr. Ciulla.
When your eyes are completely dilated, you will see Dr. Ciulla. Examining the retina requires very bright lights, the same kind of lights used by your general eye doctor. While this bright light is uncomfortable, it will not harm the eye. When the initial examination is over, Dr. Ciulla may request special diagnostic testing for your condition. Most of the tests can be performed at that time with our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment by our specially trained and certified staff. Many patients who come in for a retinal examination, will need a test called a fluorescein angiogram and/ or an OCT test. Most patients with diabetes and macular degeneration will require these tests. For your convenience, we usually perform these tests the same day, since you are already here with your eyes dilated. During the fluorescein angiography test, a dye is injected into a vein in your arm. Our photographer then takes rapid sequence photographs of the retina. The dye shows the blood vessels in the retina in clear detail. This lets us identify abnormal or damaged blood vessels. There are detailed web links on this site that describe this and other common tests that may be performed during your visit.
After reviewing the images and results of the testing, Dr. Ciulla will discuss his findings and your retinal condition with you and your family, if they are present, and advise you of his recommendations for management and treatment. We will provide you with a copy of his findings when you leave, and will send a copy to your referring doctor. It is important to us that we coordinate your retinal treatment with the excellent care provided by your referring doctor.
If treatment is recommended, it may be possible to have it performed at this visit, or the treatment may need to be scheduled for another day depending on the urgency of the problem.
Your eyes will remain dilated for several hours. Therefore, we strongly recommend that someone come with you to drive home, if that is possible.
Many retinal problems are emergencies - eye trauma, severe eye infections, retinal detachments, retinal tears and other conditions that demand urgent attention. That is why we try to keep our schedule flexible enough to accommodate these patients. But emergencies are unpredictable and sometimes take more time than we have allotted. When that happens, it may mean a longer wait for scheduled patients. If an unusual number of emergencies delays your appointment, we greatly appreciate your understanding.
Our staff is committed to assisting you with your ophthalmic care, convenient scheduling or financial questions. Our office hours are 8:00 AM - 5 PM Monday-Friday. We can be reached at (317) 817-1822, 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
We look forward to meeting you in the near future and having the privilege of participating in your retinal care.
insurance and financial policy
INSURANCE PLANS
For your convenience and the benefit of your referring doctor, Dr. Ciulla's practice is a participant in the Medicare program and accepts Medicare allowances. We participate in many of the Medicaid and Hoosier Healthwise programs. The practice also participates in most commercial third-party insurance plans and networks in the central Indiana area. We also participate as a tertiary provider in numerous networks throught the state due to our affiliation with St. Vincent's Hospital and Clarian Health Partners. Our well trained, knowledgeable staff is always available to assist you with any insurance questions, concerns or problems that you may encounter.
FINANCIAL POLICY
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Arrangement for payment for services provided is required at the time of the examination.
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All patients are requested to provide our staff with your current medical insurance card if you would like for our office to file a claim for your services.
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We DO participate in the Medicare program, and accept their allowable fees for services provided. Medicare pays 80% of these fees after your yearly deductible has been met. We will bill the balance of 20% to your secondary insurance if you have coverage, or to you if you do not have secondary coverage.
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If your health insurance is a Managed Care program, PPO or HMO, it is your responsibility to determine if Dr. Ciulla is a participant in your plan and to obtain authorization for your visit. If you or not certain whether your insurance plan requires an authorization for a specialist visit, please contact the member services phone number listed on the back of your insurance card. Failure to obtain this authorization may result in rescheduling your appointment until it is obtained or payment in full by the patient at the time of services provided. If you have any further questions, our knowledgeable staff can assist you if you call our office.
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If your health insurance plan requires a referral from a Primary Care Provider (PCP) for your specialist visit, you are required to contact your physician to obtain this referral. Please have your physician's office fax the referral to our office at (317) 817-1898. Failure to obtain this referral may result in rescheduling your appointment until it is obtained or payment in full by the patient at the time of your visit. If you have any further questions, our knowledgeable staff can assist you if you call our office
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Many health plans, and Medicare Advantage plans, require a copay that is due at the time of the service. The copay amount is listed on your insurance card and is expected to be paid at the time of the service. There will be a billing fee attached to your charges if this is not paid at the time of the examination. This fee will not be covered by your insurance company and will be the responsibility of the patient.
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If you do not have health insurance, you do not obtain the necessary authorizations or referrals, or Dr. Ciulla does not participate in your plan, payment will be due in full at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made with the practice.
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For your convenience, we accept Visa and Mastercard, as well as cash and personal checks.
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If your health insurance coverage changes at any time, it is your responsibility to notify our office prior to your return visit.
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We also realize that sometimes it is not always possible to pay an account balance in full. Therefore, as a courtesy to you we do offer payment arrangements. Please notify our billing office staff for further details.