Vision care insurances can either be purchased individually or through your employer. Either way, you’ll have to pay a premium or have that amount deducted from your paycheck. In exchange, you’ll receive benefits that are specific to maintaining your eye health.
To help you decide whether you should get one or not, your eye doctor discusses things you should consider about vision care insurances.
Covered Expenses
There are various vision care plans you can choose from, and each package covers a different set of benefits. Barebone plans, for example, only cover the basics, such as eye exams and eyewear. They also work more like a discount plan than an insurance. So, before signing up for any, browse through the plan’s inclusions. Check if it covers everything you’re anticipating to use.
If you have a family history of diabetes, for example, your eye doctor recommends that you verify if the vision insurance you’re planning to get covers medical eye diseases and their management. For those who are near- or farsighted, you may want to verify if the plan also covers eyeglass frames or contact lenses.
Plan Limitations
Knowing what your vision insurance covers mean you should be aware of what it will not pay out for too. A common scenario is that certain plans only give you benefits if the eye care service you received was done by a participating or in-network healthcare provider. This means that the eye care specialist you should see must be someone who is affiliated with your vision care insurance carrier.
That said, there are some vision plans that still have benefits if you do see a non-participating eye doctor. But, this often means your out-of-pocket expense is higher than if you saw an in-network eye care specialist. Moreover, elective eye procedures, such as LASIK, are usually not covered.
Another thing you should consider is the coverage specifics. For example, your plan may cover eyeglass lenses, but only basic ones. If you need specialized coatings, you may have to pay for the additional cost. You may also want to check when the benefits take effect. Some vision care benefits only become available after a set period.
To learn more about vision care insurances, call us at (425) 771-8472 for Alderwood Optical or (425) 485-0430 for Canyon Park Vision Clinic or complete our form. We serve Redmond, Kirkland, and nearby WA areas.