Compare 121 ophthalmologists in Milwaukee, WI. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
121
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
88%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Milwaukee's healthcare is anchored by two systems serving different populations. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin handle academic and trauma care from their Wauwatosa campus, while Advocate Aurora runs the largest community hospital and clinic network across the metro. Children's Wisconsin is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the Midwest, and the city's significant health disparities between neighborhoods mean where you live is a real factor in what care looks like.
Milwaukee has 121 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (88%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Third Ward, East Side, Bay View, and Walker's Point.
Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin campus sit in Wauwatosa just off I-94. Aurora St. Luke's is on the south side near Bay View. Downtown and Third Ward residents are roughly equidistant from both. MCTS bus routes connect to major hospitals, but most patients drive. Parking at Froedtert is free, though the campus is large, so allow time to navigate between buildings.
Nearby hospitals include Froedtert Hospital, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, and Children's Wisconsin. Local training programs run through Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University. The Medical College of Wisconsin is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro and a leading center for cancer and cardiac research.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the dominant commercial carrier in the Milwaukee area. UnitedHealthcare and Humana also have significant employer-plan market share. BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid) covers a substantial portion of the city's population. Advocate Aurora participates in most networks, while Froedtert/MCW accepts most commercial plans but may require prior authorization for some services. 64% accept Medicare.
The first visit includes a comprehensive eye exam with dilation, detailed imaging of your retina and optic nerve, and a review of your symptoms and medical history. The ophthalmologist will explain their findings, discuss treatment options (including whether surgery is indicated), and outline next steps. Plan for two to three hours total because of dilation and imaging.
If you are establishing care in Milwaukee, you will likely choose between the Froedtert/MCW network and the Advocate Aurora network. Each uses its own patient portal (MyChart for both, but separate instances). Bring printed records if transferring between systems.
See an ophthalmologist for cataracts, glaucoma requiring surgery or advanced management, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears or detachment, eye injuries, LASIK evaluation, eyelid problems, crossed eyes in children, or any eye condition your optometrist has referred you for. You should also see one if you have a systemic disease (diabetes, autoimmune conditions) that affects the eyes.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Cataract surgery: $3,000-5,000 per eye · LASIK: $2,000-3,000 per eye · Retinal imaging: $50-200
Milwaukee, WI has 121 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Milwaukee, WI are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Wisconsin does not run its own ACA marketplace. Residents enroll through HealthCare.gov with plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina, and Common Ground available in Milwaukee County. BadgerCare Plus is the state Medicaid program. Employer plans often run through Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, or Network Health.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. Cataract surgery costs $3,000 to $5,000 per eye. LASIK runs $2,000 to $3,000 per eye. Retinal imaging costs $50 to $200. Actual costs in Milwaukee, WI depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Medical eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma) are billed to medical insurance. Routine refraction for glasses is billed to vision insurance. LASIK is typically self-pay. Verify which insurance applies to your visit type.
Milwaukee healthcare runs through two main systems: Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin (academic, trauma, and specialty care in Wauwatosa) and Advocate Aurora Health (the largest community hospital and clinic network). Ascension also operates several facilities. Your insurance plan's network often determines which system is most affordable.
64% of ophthalmologists in Milwaukee, WI accept Medicare. Medicare covers eye exams for conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Cataract surgery is covered. Routine vision exams for glasses prescriptions are not covered under Original Medicare. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some ophthalmologists in Milwaukee, WI accept BadgerCare Plus, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary eye care in all states. Coverage for routine vision exams and glasses varies by state. Children have broader coverage than adults. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm BadgerCare Plus participation before scheduling.
Froedtert Hospital, affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin, is the region's academic medical center and only adult Level I trauma center. It handles complex cases, transplants, and cancer treatment. Advocate Aurora Health operates a larger network of community hospitals and clinics, including Aurora St. Luke's, one of the busiest cardiac care centers in the state.
Marquette University School of Dentistry offers dental care at reduced rates. Federally qualified health centers like Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Progressive Community Health Centers also provide dental services on a sliding-scale basis.
Top accepted carriers in Milwaukee, WI include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-44228, qhp-81413, and qhp-54192.
Medical insurance covers ophthalmology visits for eye diseases and conditions (glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye exams). Vision insurance covers routine refraction and glasses prescriptions. LASIK is typically not covered by either. Cataract surgery is covered by medical insurance. Verify in-network status and whether pre-authorization is needed for surgery or diagnostic imaging.