The gift of sight is something we should not take for granted. As we age, our eyes weaken and vision gets blurry; however, poor vision doesn’t have to be something to live with.
Many people schedule routine health examinations, dental cleanings; all the while falling short when it comes to our eyes. Vision insurance can keep the cost of caring for you eyes lower.
What is Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance is an insurance benefit covering certain aspects of vision care such as eye examinations and glasses.
The benefits covered under a vision plan will often cover your yearly eye examination and any corrective lenses needed. Typically, an insurance policy includes traditional medical and wellness care for your eyes; yet all expenses might not be covered.
The precise type of coverage the policy available is dependent on what kind of insurance plan has been chosen. Some employers offer group vision plan options. In addition, certain government assistance programs, like Medicaid or Medicare offer vision plans.
However, these plans have eligibility requirements- such as employment status, age or income limits. If you do not meet eligibility requirements of these plans, purchasing an individual plan for vision care is your next option.
What Can it Cover?
When you buy a vision care plan the coverage is limited and normally involves a co-pay at the time of using it.
By paying your yearly fee and any copay due, you are guaranteed any discounts or benefits the plan allows. Some of the coverage allowed in a vision insurance policy include:
- Routine preventative eye care
- Annual eye examination
- Prescription for corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contacts)
- Frames for the lenses (usually a specified financial limit)
If you purchase a vision plan that is more comprehensive; the following additional options are available like special lens coatings or augmentations.
- Anti-reflective coating
- Photochromic lenses
- Progressive lenses
- Transition lenses–when exposed to bright light the lenses become sunglasses
- Certain elective surgery for eye correction such as PRK and LASIK
- Prescription sunglasses (some policies offer discounted rates for non-prescription sunglasses through healthcare providers within the network.
What Does it Not Cover?
Your eyecare insurance will not be liable for coverage of any care considered to be medical. Up to and including any of the following:
- Partial or total loss of vision
- Dry eyes
- Floaters
- Eye infections
- Allergies or allergic reactions
- Eye diseases
- Eye examination required due to a complication of diabetes
- Glaucoma and/or cataract surgeries (covered by health insurance plans)
Are There Policy Limits?
Many vision care policies do have set limits on the prices and how many contacts/frames you receive. Anything exceeding these limits would need to be covered by you out-of-pocket.
In addition, your eye insurance policy might also have a fixed annual dollar amount for the examination and any prescribed eyewear.
If you have any questions or are loooking to add a vision insurance as a part of your personal policies, contact a member of our team in your local area.