How do I start a vision therapy program?
Comprehensive Evaluation
The first step is to set up a comprehensive sensorimotor examination with one of our doctors. During this appointment the doctor evaluates the brain's ability to move the eyes together as a team, how the eyes move to gather information, and the health of the eyes. The doctor will also assess if there is a need for glasses and or prisms.
The initial evaluation takes between an hour and a half to two hours.
Visual Information Processing Evaluation
Depending on the doctors findings in the initial evaluation they may recommend additional testing, called a visual information processing evaluation (VIP). During this evaluation a series of standardized test will be administered to determine how the brain is processing visual information and how it might be hindering the patient's performance in school, work, and daily living. The visual information processing evaluation also includes gross motor, primitive reflex, and motor planning assessment.
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The VIP Evaluation takes between an hour and a half to two hours.
Visual Evoked Potential / Gait Analysis
The doctors may recommend an Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) or Gait Analysis, depending on their findings and your symptoms.
A gait analysis is an essential step in deciding if a particular type of prism is appropriate for an individual’s neuro-visual rehabilitation as a means to modify their visual spatial processing to improve balance, posture, and reduce risk of fall.
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The visual evoked potential (VEP) is a specialized objective measure of the visual pathway. The VEP has been used for many visual and neurological diagnoses and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
The VEP or Gait Analysis takes between an hour and a half to two hours.
Consultation
Once the recommended additional testing is completed a consultation will be scheduled with the treating physician. During this appointment the doctor will review the original findings and the results of the VIP, VEP, or Gait Analysis. A plan of care will be established during the consult, highlighting the goals of treatment.
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The consultation takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Why Great Lakes Vision Rehabilitation Does Not Accept Vision or Medical Insurance
At Great Lakes Vision Rehabilitation (GLVR), our goal is to provide comprehensive, individualized care designed to restore functional vision and improve quality of life. We do not contract with private vision or medical insurance providers because their reimbursement models limit the time, testing, and treatment methods required for effective neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
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Although GLVR is not credentialed with insurers, many patients can pursue Out-of-Network (OON) reimbursement directly through their insurance company. Our team provides detailed documentation, including itemized receipts and CPT codes, for possible partial reimbursement. Please note that reimbursement amounts and eligibility vary by plan, and coverage is never guaranteed.
Why We Remain Out-of-Network
Insurance carriers are not structured to support the depth of evaluation and therapy required in vision rehabilitation.
Common limitations include:
Limited CPT
Code Recognition
Most insurers reimburse only a few codes (such as 92065 or 92066) for vision therapy, which do not reflect the scope or time required for functional vision rehabilitation.
Restricted Diagnosis Coverage
Vision therapy is often covered only for select conditions (e.g., convergence insufficiency), excluding many functional visual deficits that respond well to therapy.
Session Caps
Insurance plans frequently authorize only a small number of visits, preventing completion of a full, effective treatment program.
Reduced Time Allowances
To fit an insurance model, session times would have to be shortened by 50–60%, compromising the quality and continuity of care.
Procedure and Duration Limits
Insurance dictates which procedures can be performed and how long they can last, which does not support accurate progress tracking or individualized program adjustments.
Uncertain Coverage
Even when codes or diagnoses appear eligible, reimbursement is inconsistent and never guaranteed.
Payment and Reimbursement
At GLVR, payment is due at the time of service. This allows our clinicians to devote the time and attention your care requires without constraints from third-party payers. Following your visit, you will receive the documentation needed to submit a claim to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
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GLVR accepts all major credit cards, CareCredit financing, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and checks and cash.
Our Model of Care
Unlike general optometry practices that balance routine eye care, glasses, and medical services, GLVR focuses exclusively on vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. This focus enables our doctors to spend the time necessary to thoroughly understand your case, review relevant prior records, and design a treatment plan tailored to your specific visual needs.
By operating independently of insurance restrictions, GLVR ensures that every aspect of your care — from evaluation to therapy.
Our care is guided by clinical expertise and your personal goals, not administrative limitations.
What is the cost of vision therapy?
Our vision therapy programs are fully customizable. In select cases, our doctors may start with
glasses only, prisms, tints, and or a home vision therapy program. However, most of our patients do in office therapy.
The length of therapy depends on the severity of diagnosis and the patients goals.
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The cost of vision therapy can range from several hundred dollars to thousands.
During the consultation, the doctor and patient care coordinator will present the duration and cost of treatment.