Annual eye exams diagnose your eye health and ensure you have the right corrective lens prescription. Most standard health insurance policies don’t include vision coverage, though. Instead of paying high out-of-pocket expenses for optometrist visits and eyeglasses for you and your family members, investigate a few options that improve and protect your eyesight without breaking the bank.
1. Add supplemental group coverage offered by your employer’s health insurance plan. You’ll pay a monthly or annual premium for coverage, and visit copays are your responsibility. In return, your benefits include a pre-determined number of eye exams or a dollar amount for eye exams and corrective lenses. If your treatment exceeds the covered limits, you pay the difference.
2. Purchase private vision insurance. It provides either a set number of eye care visits and eyeglasses or contact lenses annually or a pre-determined dollar amount. Despite paying monthly premiums, this option is usually a money saver if you have a large family.
3. Join a discount program. Your eye doctor, travel club or civic organization might offer a discount program that pays a portion of your eye care needs. To join, you pay an annual fee and then receive a certain dollar amount in free exams or corrective eye wear. You pay for any costs that exceed the limit. Also, your choices of eye care professionals is limited to those that participate in the discount program you join.
4. Apply for Medicaid or Medicare. Income-based, these two options can include vision coverage for you or your children.
Maximize Your Vision Coverage
Vision insurance provides numerous benefits to your family, especially if one of you wears glasses or contacts. Often, insurance covers each family member’s annual eye exam, bi-annual eyeglasses, ongoing contact lens needs and cataract removal. You may also be eligible for discounts on eyewear, LASIK surgery or other eye surgeries. As with all insurance policies, read the fine print on your policy to determine exactly what’s covered. For additional assistance choosing vision insurance or to compare available plans and coverage options, talk to your insurance agent today.
