Brian Berger, M.D. - Diseases & Surgery of Retina / Vitreous - Austin, TX. Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Uveitis.

<p> <body body link="#003399" alink="#CC0000" vlink="#003399" topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" bgcolor="006699"> <p align="center">Brian B. Berger, M.D., P.A.<br> <p align="center">Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous <table width="656" border="0" bgcolor="FFFFDD" cellspacing="15"> <tr> <td width="59%"><div align="center"></div> <div align="center"> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="115"><p align="center">  <p align="center"><font color="#004080" size="4"><strong>Office Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.</strong></font> <p align="center">  <p><strong><font color="#004080">WELCOME TO OUR OFFICE...</font></strong><BR>      To help you feel comfortable, and to serve you better, we'd like you to know more about us. <p><a href="#mission">Mission Statement</a><br> <a href="#finding">Finding us</a><br> <a href="#when">When you come to the office</a><br> <a href="#routine">Our office routine</a><br> <a href="#clinical">Clinical research</a><br> <a href="#surgery">When surgery is necessary</a><br> <a href="#help">When you need other help</a><br> <a href="#patients">To our patients</a><br> <p><br> <a name="mission"><strong><font color="#004080">MISSION STATEMENT...</font></strong> </a> <p>      We strive to provide the best care for patients with retinal disease in a high touch high tech environment. We believe that the best patient care occurs in a setting that includes education and research. We utilize the latest technology and techniques for the mangement of retinal diseases. We also teach premedical students, postgraduate students, interns, and residents. <p>  <p><a name="finding"><strong><font color="#004080">FINDING US...</font></strong> </a> <p>     Our office is in the Austin Medical Plaza, at the corner of 38th and Medical Parkway, just east of Seton Hospital. Our suite, 410, is on the 4th floor, north tower. From I-35, take the 38th 1/2 Street exit and continue west to Medical Parkway. From Mopac, exit at 35th, which becomes 38th. Continue east to Medical Parkway. <strong>Parking is available in the garage at Medical Parkway and 37th Street. </strong>However, we cannot validate parking tickets. <p> <a href="map.htm" target="MAP">MAP</a> <p></p> <p>  <p><a name="when"><strong><font color="#004080">WHEN YOU COME TO THE OFFICE...</font></strong></a> <p>     When you come to our office for your first appointment, <strong>please bring all your medications and insurance cards.</strong> This helps us with your medical history and saves time. <p><strong>A complete retina consultation generally takes a minimum of two hours.</strong><br>      Evaluation of the retina frequently involves a diagnostic procedure called a fluorescein angiogram. This test uses our special cameras to photograph the retina. The test requires an injection of special dye into the blood stream through a vein in your arm. Our technicians will explain the fluorescein angiogram to you if it is part of your exam. <p><strong>To perform a retinal exam, we must dilate the eye's pupil.</strong><br>      When the pupil is wider, we get a better view of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. Dilating eye drops take 15-20 minutes to work, so you will have a waiting period. <p>     Once your pupils are dilated, it is normally difficult to read and bright sunlight will bother you. We provide temporary sunglasses to reduce discomfort from the glare. You can drive while your eyes are dilated, however, we recommend that you plan to have someone drive you home. Most eyes are back to normal by the next morning, but sometimes dilation can last 24 hours. <p></p> <p>  <p><a name="routine"><strong><font color="#004080">OUR OFFICE ROUTINE...</font></strong></a> <p>     Due to our heavy surgery schedule, we see patients by appointment only. Call our office number, 454-5851 or 1-800-926-9142, night or day. If you must miss an appointment, please give us 24 hours notice or you may incur a cancellation charge of $25.00. <br> <p>  <p><a name="clinical"><strong><font color="#004080">CLINICAL RESEARCH...</font></strong></a> <p>     Research is necessary for the advancement of medicine. When the best treatment for a medical problem is not known, we believe that research is the best way to answer the question. We are currently involved with several research studies for macular degeneration, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. If one of these studies pertains to your eye problem, we will explain the study in great detail to you and may invite you to participate. <p><a href="clinic%7E1.htm">click here for more information on our clinical research</a> <p>  <p><a name="surgery"><strong><font color="#004080">WHEN SURGERY IS NECESSARY...</font></strong></a> <p>     Some types of surgery can be done in the office. Laser treatments for problems related to diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal holes and tears are common office procedures. Surgery for retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage are performed in a local hospital. <p> <p>  <p><a name="help"><strong><font color="#004080">WHEN YOU NEED OTHER HELP...</font></strong></a> <p>     <strong>In an emergency</strong>, regardless of the time of day, immediately call the office number, 454-5851 or 1-800-926-9142. If Dr. Berger is not available, you will be referred to a qualified professional who will help you. <p>    <strong> If you need information</strong>, please call during office hours. For appointments, call extension 101. For billing, call extension 102. For medical questions, call extension 105 or you may email your questions to <a href="mailto:mrodriguez@e-retina">tech@e-retina</a>. Frequently the staff can answer your questions. If they cannot, Dr. Berger will call you back, generally at the end of the day. Please understand that we try not to interrupt patient examinations. <p>    <strong>For prescription refills</strong>, call the pharmacy where the prescription was last filled. They will call us directly if there is a question. If the pharmacist can't refill it, call the office during regular business hours at extension 105. Have the medication container and the name and telephone number of your pharmacy at the phone with you. This will save you, and us, time. <p></p> <p>  <p><a name="patients"><strong><font color="#004080">TO OUR PATIENTS...</font></strong></a> <p>    In order to accommodate the needs and requests of our patients, we have enrolled in numerous managed care insurance programs. We are pleased to be on these provider lists in order to take care of you. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for us to keep track of all the individual requirements of these plans. Each one has different stipulations regarding how services may be rendered, and the number of visits allowed, which does not automatically coincide with the number of visits needed. Even within the same insurance company the plans differ depending upon the contract your employer has negotiated. Providing quality care is our primary concern, and we are more than willing to provide the care within your insurance contract. However, we do not know exactly what your insurance's terms are regarding referral numbers, number of visits, types of sessions, deductibles, payment and copayments. <p>    Unfortunately if you do not inform us of these specific requirements in your insurance contract, and we subsequently provide services that are not covered, we will have no choice but to bill you directly for those services. Payment of unauthorized services is then your responsibility. With your cooperation and help, you should be able to receive all the benefits due by your insurance carrier and we will be able to concentrate on caring for your needs. We must know the name of your primary care physician. <p>    Copayments are collected at the time of registration. There is a $20.00 fee to bill you for your copay. Please bring your insurance cards with you each time you visit our office. Report all changes in insurance, address, and employment. <p>    We participate in most managed care health plans including Medicare, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicaid, Humana, Nylcare, Amil, Prudential, Pipa, Aetna, City of Austin, and many others. <strong>Please be sure you have obtained your referral or authorization number before you arrive for your appointment to avoid the possibility of having to reschedule or to be responsible for the total fees.</strong> <p>    If you are not part of a managed care plan, please be prepared to pay for your services on the day received by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, check, or cash. <p>    For any surgical procedures, charges will be discussed with you when arrangements are made and authorization is obtained. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have at that time. <p><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="115"> </td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </body> </p>