If you are one of the 150 million individuals in the United States who require vision correction, have a vision-related condition, or just want to safeguard your eye health, having vision insurance is essential because it means access to inexpensive eye care.
A complete eye exam, plus the cost of glasses and lenses, may easily cost $350 or more-and without insurance, you must cover the entire amount. A vision insurance plan will save you money, typically more than it costs.
After the age of 40, common age-related ocular changes may play a role. This may imply that a vision insurance plan costing $180 or less per year can provide savings.
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What Is Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance covers the cost of eye exams, glasses, and contacts, as well as savings on additional treatments such as LASIK surgery. There are several different types of eye insurance plans, but all of them cover the same basic features.
Because vision insurance is often not included in health insurance, you must get it separately. You can get vision insurance directly from insurance providers, or it may be included as part of your employer’s benefits package.
What Does Vision Insurance Cover?
Vision insurance normally covers an annual eye exam and may assist in the payment of glasses once a year or every other year. Here is a list of services and goods that are frequently covered by vision insurance:
- Annual eye examination
- Glasses allowance, either annually or every other year
- Allowance for contact lenses, usually given once a year
- Anti-glare, blue light reduction, scratch resistance, and UV protection are all available as lens improvements.
- Bifocals and trifocals
- Reduced prices for glasses or contact lenses over the policy allowance
Laser vision correction operations, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK, are not covered by vision insurance. These procedures are classified as elective. Discounts for various procedures are frequently provided by vision insurance policies at participating sites.
What to Look for When Purchasing Vision Insurance?
When evaluating vision insurance policies and looking for the best choice for your requirements, keep the following considerations in mind.
1. Broad coverage
When it comes to vision insurance, it is simplest to obtain coverage from a plan that is available in all states and has a large number of doctors in its provider network. In fact, it is more convenient and helpful to avoid coverage gaps if you relocate or require treatment while abroad.
2. Low Monthly fees
Pricing is determined by your plan and coverage levels. When shopping for a new vision insurance plan, keep your budget in mind and avoid more expensive vision policies if you don’t require extensive coverage.
3. Coverage of annual eye tests
Annual eye exams are covered by vision insurance, although not all vision insurance companies cover them entirely. Copays for eye exams are also common in eye insurance plans.
4. Allowances for eyewear and contact lenses
Understanding the allowances granted by your vision insurance plan for these charges is important whether you need glasses or contacts now or in the future. A plan may stipulate that you only receive one allowance per year and must pick between contacts and frames.
