Horizon Eye Care first in Charlotte to utilize Clearwave technology

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Contact: Jonathan Scott, (828) 337-9991

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PINEVILLE, N.C., May 9, 2007 -- Horizon Eye Care today debuted a new, high-tech check-in system that is more efficient, less costly and provides patient insurance information in real time. Horizon Eye Care is the first health care practice in Charlotte to utilize the new technology from Clearwave.

“Clearwave is the only health care technology company that provides a universal, easy-to-use, self-service check-in system that streamlines the patients’ check-in by starting the process electronically. It provides patient benefit info in real time, and in the future will allow seamless integration with our current billing system,” said Rodney W. Roeser, CEO of Horizon Eye Care.

Gone are the old-fashioned clipboard sign-in sheets and tedious paperwork that accompany most patients’ visits to the doctor. Instead, Horizon Eye Care patients use the state-of-the-art kiosk to check in by themselves. 

“The advantage to Horizon is that we can free up staff to focus on other aspects of patient care, as well as reduce costs and better manage the insurance reimbursement process, which helps our cash flow,” Roeser said. “The advantage to our patients is that all of their information is available to us instantly, which helps reduce the patient’s paperwork. It also reduces errors in co-payments and speeds reimbursements.”

When Horizon Eye Care patients enter the reception room, instead of heading to the receptionist, they now enter their name and insurance identification number into the kiosk. The kiosk transmits this information instantaneously to the insurance company, and the Horizon receptionist receives the pertinent information back from the insurance company within a few seconds. The kiosk also makes available the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy form for e-signing. The data can be uploaded into the Horizon’s system, too. 

“The doctors at Horizon Eye Care are thought leaders in driving unwanted costs and wait times out of the visit. Clearwave is excited about the opportunity to play a part in the process,” said Gerard White, CEO of Clearwave.

Some insurance companies have even provided their customers with plastic cards with a stripe on the back so they can simply swipe them at the kiosk to call up their information. The kiosk automatically checks insurance eligibility, alerting the receptionist instantly if there is a problem.

Horizon Eye Care rolled out the new service in its Pineville office today. The practice’s other offices – in Cotswold, Arboretum, Lake Norman, Mooresville and University City – will receive the Clearwave kiosks later this year.

“We want our patients to realize the same excellent experience in each of our offices;  the Clearwave kiosk is an important step in that experience,” Roeser said. 

About Horizon Eye Care

Horizon Eye Care's dedicated team of 16 board-certified ophthalmologists and five optometrists are committed to providing the highest level of medical and surgical eye care to the Charlotte community. Horizon Eye Care was the first Charlotte practice to perform laser vision correction. Horizon Eye Care is proud to be the team ophthalmologist for the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Checkers and Charlotte Knights.
           
About Clearwave 

Clearwave simplifies healthcare administration for patients, physicians, insurance companies and banks with its unique combination of technology and industry expertise.  With web-based kiosks as a starting point, Clearwave’s patent-pending network is able to efficiently exchange patient, insurance, payment and other healthcare-related information in a HIPAA-compliant and secure manner, reducing administrative costs, time and errors.  Recognized as one of the top 16 innovative leaders by Technology Association of Georgia, Clearwave is the first healthcare technology company that brings significant benefits and cost savings to all stakeholders in the healthcare continuum.