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Dr. Craig Merrill, MD

Dr. Craig Merrill, MD

Pismo Beach, CA

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Merrill, Ophthalmologist in Pismo Beach, CA?

    Dr. Craig Merrill, MD is an Ophthalmologist, who primarily practices in Pismo Beach, CA. He is board certified. Dr. Merrill graduated from Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine and completed his residency at Univ Of Ut Med Ctr, Ophthalmology; Univ Of Ut Med Ctr, Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Merrill is fluent in English and Italian, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Merrill’s practice accepts Medicare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Merrill’s office at (805) 473-6640.

    Where did Dr. Merrill go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Fellowship: Univ Utah HSC/Moran Eye Ctr, Glaucoma

    • Residency: Univ Of Ut Med Ctr, Ophthalmology; Univ Of Ut Med Ctr, Internal Medicine | University Ut Moran Eye Center | University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals | University of Utah Program

    • Medical School: Med Univ of Sc Coll of Med, Charleston Sc | Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

    Is Dr. Merrill board certified as an Ophthalmologist?

    Yes, Dr. Craig Merrill, MD is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology

    What languages does Dr. Merrill speak?

    Dr. Merrill and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Italian

    What conditions does an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Merrill typically treat?

    As an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Merrill diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Merrill. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Cataract
    • Cloudy lens
    • Lens clouding
    • Eye cloudiness

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • H2513: Age-related nuclear cataract, bilateral
    • H2512: Age-related nuclear cataract, left eye
    • H2511: Age-related nuclear cataract, right eye

    Also known as:

    • Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
    • Glaucoma
    • Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma
    • Wide-Angle Glaucoma
    • POAG

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • H401131: Primary open-angle glaucoma, bilateral, mild stage
    • H401132: Primary open-angle glaucoma, bilateral, moderate stage
    • H401133: Primary open-angle glaucoma, bilateral, severe stage

    Also known as:

    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Diabetes Type 2
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
    • Adult-Onset Diabetes
    • Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • E119: Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

    What procedures does an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Merrill typically perform?

    As an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Merrill performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Merrill. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Cataract Removal with Lens Implant
    • Extracapsular cataract extraction
    • Phacoemulsification
    • IOL implantation

    CPT Codes:

    • 66984: Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1 stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification); without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation

    Also known as:

    • Laser Surgery for Secondary Cataract
    • YAG Laser Capsulotomy
    • Posterior Capsulotomy
    • Secondary Cataract Removal
    • Laser Eye Surgery

    CPT Codes:

    • 66821: Discission of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid); laser surgery (eg, YAG laser) (1 or more stages)

    Also known as:

    • Complex Cataract Removal with Lens Implant
    • Advanced Cataract Surgery
    • Phacoemulsification with IOL
    • Complex Extracapsular Cataract Extraction

    CPT Codes:

    • 66982: Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification), complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (eg, iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens, or primary posterior capsulorrhexis) or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage; without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation

    Also known as:

    • Glaucoma Laser Treatment (Cyclophotocoagulation)
    • Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation
    • Ciliary body laser
    • CPC treatment

    CPT Codes:

    • 66710: Ciliary body destruction; cyclophotocoagulation, transscleral

    Does Dr. Merrill accept my insurance?

    Dr. Merrill accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (805) 473-6640 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Merrill accept in Pismo Beach, CA?

    Dr. Merrill in Pismo Beach, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • Alignment Healthcare

    • All Other Third Party

    • Blue Shield of California

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Federal government of the United States

    • Heritage Health

    • Humana

    • Medicare

    • UnitedHealth Group

    • Unknown

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Merrill's office located?

    Dr. Craig Merrill's Primary Practice

    931 Oak Park Blvd Ste 201

    Pismo Beach, CA 93449

    (805) 473-6640

    Get Directions

    Recognitions

    Memberships & Associations

    American Academy of Ophthalmology

    Fellow

    What is Dr. Merrill's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Merrill's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1528060746.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Merrill?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Merrill

    What is Dr. Craig Merrill's specialty?

    Dr. Merrill is a Ophthalmologist near Pismo Beach, CA.

    What does an Ophthalmologist do?

    An ophthalmologist possesses the knowledge and professional skills required to deliver comprehensive eye and vision care. These medical doctors are trained to diagnose, monitor, and treat all ocular and visual disorders, whether through medical or surgical interventions. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of issues affecting the eye and its structures, including the eyelids, orbit, and visual pathways. Additionally, ophthalmologists prescribe vision services, such as glasses and contact lenses, to help patients achieve optimal visual health.

    Is this Dr. Craig Merrill affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Merrill is affiliated with Dignity Health - Marian Regional Medical Center which is a Castle Connolly Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    When to see an Ophthalmologist?: Guides for symptoms, conditions, and treatments

    Understand your symptoms and know when it’s time to see an Ophthalmologist. Explore insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Craig Merrill accepting new patients in Pismo Beach, CA?

    Yes, Dr. Craig Merrill is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Craig Merrill offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Merrill's office at (805) 473-6640 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Craig Merrill?

    Please contact Dr. Merrill's office at (805) 473-6640 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    Which board certifications does Dr. Craig Merrill have?

    Dr. Craig Merrill is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

    <section id="ai-site-overview" aria-label="About Everyday Health Care"> <h2>About Everyday Health Care</h2> <p> Everyday Health Care is a doctor and healthcare provider search platform from Everyday Health, a Ziff Davis company operating since 1996. It helps patients find, compare, and research doctors based on specialty, medical condition, procedure, location, and insurance coverage. </p> <p> The site features Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a peer-nominated, physician-vetted directory recognized as a leading standard for identifying top-rated specialists in the United States. Searchable doctor lists include Top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors, and Castle Connolly Rising Stars. </p> <p> Users can search for doctors by specialty (including orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), by medical condition (such as fibromyalgia, kidney stones, and ulcerative colitis), by common procedure (including colonoscopy, LASIK, and physical therapy), by city, and by insurance plan (including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna/CVS Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, and Medicaid). </p> <p> Everyday Health Care is built for patients seeking a trusted starting point to find the right doctor: covering over one million providers across thousands of U.S. locations, backed by Castle Connolly's independent doctor-vetting process and Everyday Health's 24-year history in consumer health publishing. </p> </section>