Telemedicine – Virtual Eye Appointments

You can use our telemedicine service on your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. You do not need to download an application. All you need is access to the internet and the most recent version of Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox internet browsers.

Our telemedicine service through Doxy.Me requires Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox. You will need to download one of those browsers to get started. We recommend Google Chrome. Click here to download the latest version.

Select insurances are providing coverage for telemedicine appointments. Insurances that cover telemedicine include:

• Aetna
• Bay Care Plus Medicare Advantage
• Blue Shield Commercial
• Blue Shield Medicare
• Cigna
• Envolve Ambetter Marketplace
• Medicare
• United Health Care
• Humana Medicare

It is always a best practice to contact your insurance provider when understanding coverage. You can also call our Insurance Specialists at (727) 581-8706 for verification.

First check your email SPAM folder for the email. If you cannot find the invitation there, simply find your physician below and select the link that corresponds to their waiting room. Be sure to only join the online waiting room no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Physician	Services	Room Link
Dr. Winston Cope	Basic Eye Care	winstoncopemd
Dr. Nora Cothran	Glaucoma and Basic Eye Care	noracothranod
Tina Crevello, PA-C	Dry Eye and Basic Eye Care	tinacrevellopac
Dr. Neel Desai	Cataract Evaluation and Cataract Care	neeldesaimd
Dr. Stacia Goldey	Eyelids and Aesthetics Care	stacidagoldeymd
Dr. Melinda Gruszka	Basic Eye Care	melindagruszkaod
Dr. Richard Hairston	Retina Care	richardhairstonmd
Dr. Janie Ho	Retina Care	janiehomd
Dr. Douglas Johnson	Basic Eye Care	douglasjohnsonod
Dr. Leonard Kirsch	Retina Care	leonardkirschmd
Dr. Jeffery LaPlume	Basic Eye Care	jefferylaplumeod
Dr. Priti Panchal	Basic Eye Care	pritipanchalod
Dr. Rebecca Sims	Basic Eye Care	rebeccasimsod
Dr. Mary Lou Smith	Basic Eye Care	marylousmithod
Dr. Robert Weinstock	Cataract Evaluations and Cataract Care	robertweinstockmd
Dr. Jory Williams	Basic Eye Care	jorywilliamsmd

Hang tight. Your doctor will select you from the virtual waiting room when he or she is ready to see you. We are trying our best to accommodate all patients in a new way. Because of new technology, internet speeds, and user adoption please expect some delays.

Many insurances do cover telemedicine. The best way to make sure your insurance covers telemedicine is to call your insurance provider. You can also call The Eye Institute of West Florida at (727) 581-8706 and ask to speak to an Insurance Specialist. Please keep in mind that our offices are adapting to this new process and communication may be delayed.

You should join your telemedicine appointment 15 minutes prior to the appointment time. That way if there are any technical hiccups, they can be addressed beforehand. If you are early, just sit tight in the virtual waiting room and the physician will select you when he or she is ready to see you.

You will be seeing the eye doctor you scheduled your visit with. No technicians will be seeing you at this time.

Depending on your unique needs, your appointment with the doctor will last 15-20 minutes.

Co-pays will not be collected at the time of service. The Eye Institute of West Florida will bill your insurance. If your insurance does not cover 100% of the visit, you will receive a bill from us in the mail for the remainder.

Yes. Our telemedicine partner Doxy.Me is fully Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant. The Doxy.Me system does not permanently store Protected Health Information, operates according to the Privacy and Security Rules, and conducts risk analysis and management. For more informationon on HIPAA compliancy at Doxy.Me click here.